let's see your craftsman block grinders

[torqueman2002]

The 1964 catalogs (Power Tools and Hand Tools) have some interesting, and some confusing (ie: two different 1/2-HP configurations, yet same cat. number), changes.

Power Tools catalog, First round top Blocks?
1/4-HP, Cast Aluminum Housing, Plastic Eye Shields, Wheel Guard Covers, No Power Switch, 99 M 1959K, 26#, $31.99
1/3-HP, Similar to 1/2-HP, Cast Aluminum Housing, Metal Eye Shields, 6x3/4" grinding wheels, 99 M 1957K, 30#, $42.99
1/2-HP, Cast Aluminum Housing, Metal Eye Shields, 115V-230V, removable (large) water tray (no HD base), cast wheel guard covers with rear exhaust ports, 7x1" grinding wheels, 99 M 1959K, 39#, $76.95

Hand Tools catalog
1/4-HP, Cast Aluminum Housing, Plastic Eye Shields, Wheel Guard Covers, No Power Switch, 99 M 1959K, 26#, $31.99 First Block?
1/3-HP, Similar to 1/2-HP, Cast Aluminum Housing, Metal Eye Shields, 6x3/4" grinding wheels, 99 M 1958K, 30#, $42.99
1/2-HP, Cast Aluminum Housing, Metal Eye Shields, 115V-230V, removable (small) water tray (no HD base), stamped steel wheel guard covers, 7x1" grinding wheels, 99 M 1959K, 39#, $76.95

Power Tools catalog

Hand Tools catalog

Remember - "You can tune a piano, but you can't tune a fish!"

 

[Skeptic68W]

Just picked this guy up today.

Planning on a repaint (probably stick with the silver/dark grey scheme), new wheels (sticking with 1 stone and 1 wire wheel arrangement), and that may be it. Runs pretty good.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Just picked this guy up today.

Planning on a repaint (probably stick with the silver/dark grey scheme), new wheels (sticking with 1 stone and 1 wire wheel arrangement), and that may be it. Runs pretty good.

Interesting pedestal, how sturdy is it? Post pics of your progress.

 

[Skeptic68W]

Interesting pedestal, how sturdy is it? Post pics of your progress.

Haha the pedestal is pretty ****. It rocks back and forth a fair bit. I might screw some rubber feet into it and see if that makes it good enough before messing with buying another.

 

[drivesitfar]

Doc: i think our best bet in getting new tools into our homes with our bride's approval is to do something with them that they like. i didn't use my block grinders to make this, but i did use more than a few tools. I know you take care of all the stuff around your house and have you used your blocks to make something or spiff something up besides other block grinders?

here's a before and after of the mailbox stand i built 25+ years ago and the one i just finished a few weeks ago.

I think i have maybe 6 blocks with a 1/2 HP industrial as my go to one and wondering how many you still own or have you shipped off several to members to slim the heard a bit?

cheers

 

[Htscheg]

Drives that mailbox stand will outlast the zombie apocolipse that seems to be looming lol

 

[softailgarage]

So, over the past 5 years or so, I've restored about 8-10 of these, sold all but 1. Been having financial problems and was forced to sell it, bummed me out. Last week I'm going thru boxes still to be opened from moving earlier in the year and what do I find? a un-restored grinder I had forgot all about. I can't tell you how happy this made me! It's missing the wheel guards, but I have boxes of spare parts and I still have an original craftsman pedestal to mount it to, whoo hoo!!! I swear, it's like a disease, LOL.

 

[torqueman2002]

My replies follow in Red.

Doc: i think our best bet in getting new tools into our homes with our bride's approval is to do something with them that they like. i didn't use my block grinders to make this, but i did use more than a few tools. I know you take care of all the stuff around your house and have you used your blocks to make something or spiff something up besides other block grinders?
Hmmmm, I really can't think of much.
here's a before and after of the mailbox stand i built 25+ years ago and the one i just finished a few weeks ago.
That is a work of art! Nicely done, Art! That is your middle name, isn't it? LOL
I think i have maybe 6 blocks with a 1/2 HP industrial as my go to one and wondering how many you still own or have you shipped off several to members to slim the heard a bit?
I can't say exactly, but it is North of 10. I'm prepping (moving stuff out of the way) for a boiler install later his week. And I, like softail below, keep finding forgotten Blocks.
I have re-distributed some Blocks to GJ members. But, I find that I'm not really reducing my inventory, because I keep 'rescuing' Blocks from CL.

cheers

So, over the past 5 years or so, I've restored about 8-10 of these, sold all but 1. Been having financial problems and was forced to sell it, bummed me out. Last week I'm going thru boxes still to be opened from moving earlier in the year and what do I find? a un-restored grinder I had forgot all about. I can't tell you how happy this made me! It's missing the wheel guards, but I have boxes of spare parts and I still have an original craftsman pedestal to mount it to, whoo hoo!!! I swear, it's like a disease, LOL.
Yup, a disease that is it's own cure! Of course, I am an addict, and I can not help myself.

 

[Flucio]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=697858&stc=1&d=1509224916

Picked this up today

 

[torqueman2002]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=697858&stc=1&d=1509224916

Picked this up today

Nice. Congratulations. What HP, 1/3"?

Looks like the LH stone has some non-ferrous metal embedded in it. That can be dangerous.

You may want to consider replacing it/them or at a minimum, dressing it/them.

 

[torqueman2002]

Alert - 1-HP Block grinder in very good condition for sale. Not cheap, here's the link.
https://toledo.craigslist.org/tls/d/vintage-sears-craftsman/6364729262.html

Not mine or anyone I know.

 

[Flucio]

Nice. Congratulations. What HP, 1/3"?

Looks like the LH stone has some non-ferrous metal embedded in it. That can be dangerous.

You may want to consider replacing it/them or at a minimum, dressing it/them.

Yea it's a 1/3hp.. couldn't pass it up for the price and how clean it is.. yea stones will be getting replaced.. also came with this Lil attachment
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=697995&stc=1&d=1509245910

 

[torqueman2002]

Yea it's a 1/3hp.. couldn't pass it up for the price and how clean it is.. yea stones will be getting replaced.. also came with this Lil attachment
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=697995&stc=1&d=1509245910

Neat attachment.

Have you seen the thread: 'Show your Crown Top Love' ? It would fit right in.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199000&highlight=crown

 

[PacificaVette]

I have a question about interchanging some parts between different models. A local guy has a 1/2 HP block (Model # 397.19591) for sale, but it is missing the wheel guards (both inner and outer), eye shields, and tool rests. It looks to be in good condition, but obviously needs plenty of parts.

I have a 1/3 HP block (Model # 397.19391) that has all its parts, (although the eye shields could use some more polishing). Would the wheel guards, etc. from my 1/3 HP model fit on the 1/2 HP machine? Does anyone know of a good source for information on parts numbers for these great grinders?

Thanks!

 

[chrisnazzy]

I have a question about interchanging some parts between different models. A local guy has a 1/2 HP block (Model # 397.19591) for sale, but it is missing the wheel guards (both inner and outer), eye shields, and tool rests. It looks to be in good condition, but obviously needs plenty of parts.

I have a 1/3 HP block (Model # 397.19391) that has all its parts, (although the eye shields could use some more polishing). Would the wheel guards, etc. from my 1/3 HP model fit on the 1/2 HP machine? Does anyone know of a good source for information on parts numbers for these great grinders?

Thanks!

I just bought a 1/3 hp model and was able to type in the 397.19580 model number into google and pull up a pdf file of the original paperwork. It includes an exploded parts diagram and a corresponding part number list on the following page.

I'm sure if you type in your (2) model numbers you can pull up manuals and cross reference.



Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[torqueman2002]

Additionally, the OWWM & VM website will have the related part numbers for any grinder owner manual there.

However, I doubt the parts from a 1/3-HP m-397.19391, will inter-change with a 1/2-HP m-397.19591.

I have a pic of a 1/3-HP m-397.19391. It's a flat top with 6" wheel guards & stamped covers with out rear exhausts.

This is a pic of a round top 1/2-HP m-397.19591. It has 7" cast wheel guard & covers with rear exhausts.

 

[PacificaVette]

Additionally, the OWWM & VM website will have the related part numbers for any grinder owner manual there.

However, I doubt the parts from a 1/3-HP m-397.19391, will inter-change with a 1/2-HP m-397.19591.

I have a pic of a 1/3-HP m-397.19391. It's a flat top with 6" wheel guards & stamped covers with out rear exhausts.

This is a pic of a round top 1/2-HP m-397.19591. It has 7" cast wheel guard & covers with rear exhausts.

Hmmmm, that is helpful, but I still wonder if I could mount my 6" wheel guards onto the 1/2 HP model. I believe the arbors are the same diameter and length, and I would be mounting my 6" wheels. It's only a matter of whether or not the bolt pattern on the guards are the same.

I guess I could go ahead and buy the "guardless" grinder and just give it a try. If the guards are not interchangeable, I could always just mount buffing wheels on it. I'll keep everyone posted on the results. I was just hoping someone had actually made the swap and had it work.

 

[cheechi]

I actually did some 'moving things around' last weekend. Among the ones I own, all the 1/3 and 1/2 have the same arbor/shaft.

I have two 397.19590's (1/2) and a 397.19580 (1/3) and one thing I wanted to try but didn't get a chance to, was to see if the inner guards are interchangeable. I don't have outer guards for the 1/3. The 1/3 guards don't have the exhaust port, but if I happen to find/make outer guards for that style and have a more complete grinder, it may be worth it to put that on a 1/2 motor instead.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I *think* the 1/3HP is 6" wheels, and the 1/2HP is 7" wheels... I think they are the same shaft diameter though, so if the bolt holes line up for the guards then you could run 6" wheels on the 1/2HP probably?

EDIT - Just noticed the whole page of posts I missed and what I posted was already mentioned... lol...

Keep us updated, fingers crossed!

 

[Outlawmws]

I have a guard from a 7" 1/2 HP on a 1/3 HP grinder I use for my wire wheel. IIR I had to drill three holes to clock it right. The "center punch" cast in dimples were there as I recall..

 

[cheechi]

I want to give an update. On each of the grinders I tested there are 6 holes drilled, but only 3 holes tapped for each inner guard to bolt to the body. Which set of holes is tapped varied from one model to another depending if it's the exhaust port guards or not. However, in each case the inner guards from any that I tested would be usable on any other grinder.

397.19440
1/2 hp flat top block, craftsman commercial crown logo

397.19580
1/3 hp round top block, craftsman industrial

397.19590
1/2 hp round top block, craftsman commercial

i'm going to say its a relatively safe bet any 7" and 6" guards are interchangeable across 1/3, 1/2, and 3/4 hp models possibly with a few exceptions.

 

[torqueman2002]

I want to give an update. On each of the grinders I tested there are 6 holes drilled, but only 3 holes tapped for each inner guard to bolt to the body. Which set of holes is tapped varied from one model to another depending if it's the exhaust port guards or not. However, in each case the inner guards from any that I tested would be usable on any other grinder.

397.19440
1/2 hp flat top block, craftsman commercial crown logo

397.19580
1/3 hp round top block, craftsman industrial

397.19590
1/2 hp round top block, craftsman commercial

i'm going to say its a relatively safe bet any 7" and 6" guards are interchangeable across 1/3, 1/2, and 3/4 hp models possibly with a few exceptions.

Good info.

Thanks cheechi.

 

[bgood1130]

Here are some pics of my 2 block grinders.

The first one I got for $10 from a buddy who picked it up for that price at a yard sale, before realizing that he already had enough bench grinders.

The second is currently in pieces. It came from a storage space at work that we were clearing out to make space, so the boss said I could have it. I used it for a while, until it arced while starting one time. As can be seen in the last picture, the wiring to the stator is in quite bad shape, with one wire only having a couple strands left right where it goes into the stator, so can't be repaired, at least not by me. I am trying to find a replacement stator, as I would hate to sell it for parts in such good shape. it even came with sears/craftsman grinding wheels

Most of what I do is shaping hss cutters for my lathe, which takes forever with grinding wheels. I would ultimately like to convert the 6" to a belt grinder, and make arbors for the 7" to use surface grinder wheels. Of course I would do no modifications to the 6" that would be permanent, so I could still put it back to completely original form.

 

[torqueman2002]

bgood1130 - welcome to the GJ and to this thread. I agree it would be a shame to part-out the round top 1/2-HP Block.

The wires are in bad shape and I think could be replaced without a complete re-wind of the stator. That's just my educated guess, based on the picture.

The challenges I see will be to access the connections between the stator windings and the cloth covered wires. Then make a proper mechanical and electrical connection between the them, with proper insulation.

IIRC - the OEM connections are first crimped, soldered(?), and insulated with a varnish type coating.

I've tried soldering the stator wires without luck, but it was a break in the 'middle' of the windings, at the ends there may be more room to work with.

A good mechanical crimp with good clean wire ends may be sufficient, and eliminate the need for soldering all together.

Best of luck.

 

[Outlawmws]

BG: That is very fixable! It looks like the issue is dried/crumbling insulation:

ONE AT A TIME; clip the wires leaving about 1/2" of the stranded stuff. Then:

• solder or crimp a new wire on
• slip on some heat shrink before moving on. (shrink them all at once...)
• Repeat as needed.
• shrink the heat shrink adn Bob's your Uncle!

 

[MissileBear]

After slimming down my grinder collection to 4 grinders this 397.19501 popped up on CL for $20. It's a very early 1/4 HP block with no outside guards, cast iron body, and no lamp/tray. It's dirty but otherwise in awesome shape...even has the original rubber feet!

How can you turn that down?? (tried this argument with the better half)

 

[bgood1130]

bgood1130 - welcome to the GJ and to this thread. I agree it would be a shame to part-out the round top 1/2-HP Block.

The wires are in bad shape and I think could be replaced without a complete re-wind of the stator. That's just my educated guess, based on the picture.

The challenges I see will be to access the connections between the stator windings and the cloth covered wires. Then make a proper mechanical and electrical connection between the them, with proper insulation.

IIRC - the OEM connections are first crimped, soldered(?), and insulated with a varnish type coating.

I've tried soldering the stator wires without luck, but it was a break in the 'middle' of the windings, at the ends there may be more room to work with.

A good mechanical crimp with good clean wire ends may be sufficient, and eliminate the need for soldering all together.

Best of luck.

If you notice the wire that only has a couple of strands left, that is immediately where it goes into the stator. That wire did break off during disassembly. Attached is a picture from a different angle. You can just barely see a tiny bit of wire sticking out of the stator to the left of the white wire. If you think it could be fixed that would be great!

 

[franksinatra]

I'm looking for a few parts for my grinder. Does anyone have spare parts laying around or know where a guy could find some. It's a half horse model.

 

[drivesitfar]

MB: cool little grinder and looks like it might be a PRE BLOCK with that badge. is there a date stamp on that badge and can you take a close up picture and post it?

yep when i pick up something like that my bride usually doesn't get to see them and it keeps discussions on other more fun things for her.

that said she likes riding with me up to an hour or so to pick up another vise and she quit asking what i was going to do with them. all she asks is that i give her the emails of members that want to pick them up so she doesn't have to move them if i go before she does.

Frank: let us know which parts you are looking for and see if you can turn your picture or post a few more and i bet somebody has a link or some information to pass on.

good luck

 

[EOC_Jason]

I'm looking for a few parts for my grinder. Does anyone have spare parts laying around or know where a guy could find some. It's a half horse model.

Some members here might have some or know where to get them if you can make a list of exactly what you need... Surprisingly there are still a *few* parts you can get on the SearsPartsDirect website.

Also, I've seen boxes of misc grinder parts pop up on eBay from time to time.

 

[franksinatra]

Great, thanks guys. I just found the manual so I'm writing down the few parts I'm hoping to find. I hope the parts won't cost more than I paid for the grinder. Lol

 

[drivesitfar]

Frank: unfortunately the parts might cost more than you paid for it to put your old grinder back to the way it left the factory, but i'd wager you couldn't buy another 1/2 HP grinder today that would be as powerful or good looking when you are done.

some of us run our grinders with wire wheels without guards in case you just want to use it that way. just know that wires usually fly off and will stick in you so wear a face shield and thick clothes. also you most likely should replace the stone cause any little hairline crack can cause them to EXPLODE and if you don't think you can get hurt from a stone exploding at 3450 RPM just Google it.

good luck

 

[franksinatra]

Yes, that is deffinately one of my concerns. I would like to find both side covers, eye shields lamp shade and tool rests. I also need one wheel flange. If I can get the bolts that are needed to put everything together that would be great. If not, I have a fastenall fairly close so I think that I can get what I need from them.
Would it be easiest for me to list the part numbers? Thanks again

 

[drivesitfar]

Frank: since i'm up i'll answer that either more pictures and or parts #'s would help. i'm not trying to tell you that you won't find parts cheap, but i know from experience that putting an old tool or machine back together after it's been neglected either takes a lot of time searching for the parts and less money or less time and more money if that makes sense.

if you are short on time and money you might have to wait to restore it or find another one in better shape. just saying these old Block grinders are great grinders and are somewhat in demand.

ok?

 

[franksinatra]

I agree with what your saying. I thought it would be a fun project and hoped it wouldn't be to costly to get it back to looking good. It works fine so if the additional parts are too far out of line, I will simply pick up another Baldor and call it a day. In the meantime, If I could find the side plates and eye protectors, I would be happy to move ahead with the project and pick up the smaller stuff as available. I really appreciate your time.
4) 4971517 ( left cover ) 24) 4971516 (right cover) 49) 4971778 (eye shield )need 2
6) 4971419 ( wheel flange) Possibly a couple of tool rests.

 

[franksinatra]

Just picked up the left cover. 4971517. If anyone else has some extra parts, my pal is ready to go.

 

[drivesitfar]

Frank: that was quick on the one cover so did you find it locally or online? sorry i'm NOT ORGANIZED enough to volunteer any parts yet, but wanted to get you started so wish you the best. yep Baldors are great grinders too, but these little Blocks are almost as good for a fraction of the cost.

 

[franksinatra]

Thanks! Keep me up to date on how your project is coming along and I will do the same. G

 

[Hiatt1991]

<a href='http://i.imgur.com/EFgiszB' title=''><img src='http://i.imgur.com/EFgiszB.jpg' alt='' title='Hosted by imgur.com' /></a>

Picked up this 3/4 HP Craftsman Commercial grinder yesterday. That steel plate bolted to the bottom of the base is 1" thick by 1.5 feet x 1.5 feet. I thought I was lifting an elephant getting that thing in the bed of my truck!

 

[Hiatt1991]

Just for craps and giggles, I tested to see how long it would take the grinding wheels to stop after I let the machine get up to speed. Took 3 minutes and 13 seconds! I guess the bearings are good! Haha