let's see your craftsman block grinders

[lafester]

The motor laminations are MUCH larger on the pre-block grinders, and the switch would never fit in the higher position. When they changed to the alloy versions, the motor shrunk and left lots of room to move the switch.

Looks like somebody grabbed it. Someday I will have one. I really like how my '68 aluminum turned out though so I can wait.

Just waiting on some shield glass and bearings and then it will be done.

 

[redriderjr326]

I found this grinder yesterday, Gentleman said he bought it new and never plugged it in. There isn’t any wear on it except you can tell its been dinged up a little bit from being moved around and such. Light scratches etc. He said it was sitting under his bench on the floor so there is a little wear on the bottom from that. I couldn’t pass it up!

 

[Outlawmws]

Hard to pass up what is essentially NOS! Nice find!

On the bottom: doesn't it have rubber feet? if not, Lowes has them (search the thread for the P/N)

 

[EOC_Jason]

Wow excellent find!

 

[redriderjr326]

Hard to pass up what is essentially NOS! Nice find!

On the bottom: doesn't it have rubber feet? if not, Lowes has them (search the thread for the P/N)

Thanks!

I believe the feet are all there. Honestly I haven’t had time to look it over real good. I got it home last night and moved from the car to the shop and that’s about it.

I do need to figure out how and where to mount it in my shop. It’s only a 1 car so I’m thinking of trying to make a movable mounting system or the something. Not exactly sure what to do.

 

[tym]

On the bottom: doesn't it have rubber feet? if not, Lowes has them (search the thread for the P/N)

Question: are all the blocks supposed to have rubber feet? My 1/4 hp had none and there's no evidence to suggest it ever did.

 

[Outlawmws]

Red - Other than my bench vise, all my bench tools get mounted to a plywood mounting plate, and I use my my workmates to mount then for use. I put an inverted "tee" on the bottom for a cleat to grip.

I store them when not in use on a "book shelf" I made that holds the mounting plates as if they were shelves (all are the same width). This is so the cleats don't make it wobbly, which they would be if I just used a regular shelf and sat them on it

 

[Outlawmws]

Question: are all the blocks supposed to have rubber feet? My 1/4 hp had none and there's no evidence to suggest it ever did.

I can't say about the 1/4 HP. What I can say is with my 1/2HP commercial, it runs so smooth I used to leave it on top of my table saw with NO mounting and it sat steady on those rubber feet for the light grinding I general did (drill sharpening, deburring, breaking sharp edges)

 

[redriderjr326]

Red - Other than my bench vise, all my bench tools get mounted to a plywood mounting plate, and I use my my workmates to mount then for use. I put an inverted "tee" on the bottom for a cleat to grip.

I store them when not in use on a "book shelf" I made that holds the mounting plates as if they were shelves (all are the same width). This is so the cleats don't make it wobbly, which they would be if I just used a regular shelf and sat them on it

Thanks for the idea. I just found this thread from 2012:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171860

I think I will take his idea and use it.

I am going to use the wall mount for storage up above my bench, (to the left of the cabinets in the picture)but then also mount a receiver underneath my bench. When I need to use the grinder, I can slide in there.
I like this idea also for when I find me a vise also and store it up there but when i need it i can move it down.

 

[lafester]

Very nice. So far this is my favorite model for the flat tops. 1 hp is more power then I need for such a small grinder and I haven't tried the 3/4 yet.

It's very rare to see a 1/2 commercial like yours with the quench slot knock out still in place. Those trays just vibrate and make noise anyway, best to use something else to quench if needed.

I found this grinder yesterday, Gentleman said he bought it new and never plugged it in. There isn’t any wear on it except you can tell its been dinged up a little bit from being moved around and such. Light scratches etc. He said it was sitting under his bench on the floor so there is a little wear on the bottom from that. I couldn’t pass it up!

Thanks! Patiently waiting for the mail man to bring me my bearings.

Nicely done!

 

[redriderjr326]

It's very rare to see a 1/2 commercial like yours with the quench slot knock out still in place. Those trays just vibrate and make noise anyway, best to use something else to quench if needed.

I was thinking about that and if i wanted to knock that out. I wasn’t sure, but I think I will just leave it how it is, thanks for the advice. Haven’t really dont much with bench grinders so I wasn’t sure on this.

 

[lafester]

I was thinking about that and if i wanted to knock that out. I wasn’t sure, but I think I will just leave it how it is, thanks for the advice. Haven’t really dont much with bench grinders so I wasn’t sure on this.

Yeah when I first started I left the tray in. That lasted for about a day or two before I set it off to the side. I'm sure there are ways to quiet them down though if you quench all the time.

 

[PacificaVette]

Red - Other than my bench vise, all my bench tools get mounted to a plywood mounting plate, and I use my my workmates to mount then for use. I put an inverted "tee" on the bottom for a cleat to grip.

I store them when not in use on a "book shelf" I made that holds the mounting plates as if they were shelves (all are the same width). This is so the cleats don't make it wobbly, which they would be if I just used a regular shelf and sat them on it

Would you mind posting some pics of your setup? It sounds like it may be a good solution to the problem of "too many grinders" (as if there is such a thing).

 

[Outlawmws]

Would you mind posting some pics of your setup? It sounds like it may be a good solution to the problem of "too many grinders" (as if there is such a thing).

A waiting mounting plate - I make the cleat in 2 parts: The part the WorkMate grips, and the "Safety" One of the first tools I mounted this way was a smaller arbor press, and I saw the safety on the cleat as mandatory on that one. I've since just continued...

These are glued and screwed down.

The storage place with a tool on the shelf unit. this shelving is one side of one I made with three 1X12's a top and bottom, and a plywood back, the left side has bulk solvents, house maintenance supplies like dry wall tape and the like, as well as yard chems (fertilizer, snail bait etc) and the right is i/2 full of things like this:

You can use the full size WorkMate and its portable wherever you want to setup, and you could take the smaller bench top unit (not the swivel hobby unit, the one I mean is about a foot wide?) and build it onto a dedicated corner of a bench, level with the top and a close fit. I've had this as a plan for the future if I ever get a big shop built...

 

[Waltrip88]

I picked up this 3/4 today to take a side plate and tool rests for the 1 hp I picked up last week.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PacificaVette]

A waiting mounting plate - I make the cleat in 2 parts: The part the WorkMate grips, and the "Safety" One of the first tools I mounted this way was a smaller arbor press, and I saw the safety on the cleat as mandatory on that one. I've since just continued...

These are glued and screwed down.

The storage place with a tool on the shelf unit. this shelving is one side of one I made with three 1X12's a top and bottom, and a plywood back, the left side has bulk solvents, house maintenance supplies like dry wall tape and the like, as well as yard chems (fertilizer, snail bait etc) and the right is i/2 full of things like this:

You can use the full size WorkMate and its portable wherever you want to setup, and you could take the smaller bench top unit (not the swivel hobby unit, the one I mean is about a foot wide?) and build it onto a dedicated corner of a bench, level with the top and a close fit. I've had this as a plan for the future if I ever get a big shop built...

I really like that set-up. I have three block grinders (two of which are on my "next project list"). I'm planning on keeping one with grinding stones, one with wire wheels, and one with buffing/polishing wheels. I could realistically get by just fine with one grinder, but having three saves me the trouble of changing wheels for different tasks.

 

[lafester]

Yeah I would like a third just for stones but I think I want a slower speed for that one. Maybe I just need better stones though...

 

[tym]

Yeah I would like a third just for stones but I think I want a slower speed for that one. Maybe I just need better stones though...

"He hasn't got the stones for the job..."

j/k...sorry, I couldn't resist that floater over the middle of the plate!

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I picked up this 3/4 today to take a side plate and tool rests for the 1 hp I picked up last week.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Waltrip88 if you part out the rest let me know, always looking for block bits

 

[RubiconJK]

I'm looking for both wheel guard side covers for my 1/2 HP block. Other than looking for a donor grinder, does anyone have spares or suggestions on sources? Thanks. Pic here is after applying the new name plate sticker I received from mattblast.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I'm looking for both wheel guard side covers for my 1/2 HP block. Other than looking for a donor grinder, does anyone have spares or suggestions on sources? Thanks. Pic here is after applying the new name plate sticker I received from mattblast.

7" stones? if so
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cr...ck+grinder&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

6"https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Craftsman-6-Bench-Grinder-Wheel-Guard-Cap-Cover-3160352-Right-Side/163157195182?epid=708482516&hash=item25fced39ae%3Ag%3ATe4AAOSw1lBbUMYz&_sop=10&_sacat=0&_nkw=craftsman+bench+grinder&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

several listings on there for side covers, none of them mine, just an fyi

 

[RubiconJK]

7" stones? if so
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cr...ck+grinder&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

6"https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Craftsman-6-Bench-Grinder-Wheel-Guard-Cap-Cover-3160352-Right-Side/163157195182?epid=708482516&hash=item25fced39ae%3Ag%3ATe4AAOSw1lBbUMYz&_sop=10&_sacat=0&_nkw=craftsman+bench+grinder&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

several listings on there for side covers, none of them mine, just an fyi

6" wheels. I'll check out the listing. Thanks.

 

[bagged89s10]

I haven’t posted on GJ in a while but this find deserves a post.

Found my first 3/4HP and it’s a nice older mailbox style. This might be almost as good a deal as the 1HP block on craftsman pedestal stand I purchased a few years ago. This one is on cabinet style stand. Only thing missing is one eye shield.

Not bad for $25

 

[torqueman2002]

I haven’t posted on GJ in a while but this find deserves a post.

Found my first 3/4HP and it’s a nice older mailbox style. This might be almost as good a deal as the 1HP block on craftsman pedestal stand I purchased a few years ago. This one is on cabinet style stand. Only thing missing is one eye shield.

Not bad for $25

Bagged - Let me be the first.


You ****!

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged - Let me be the first.


You ****!

Thank you.

Any idea what year catalog I can find this guy and the stand in?

 

[bagged89s10]

Thank you.

Any idea what year catalog I can find this guy and the stand in?

Never mind. I found them in 1969-1972 craftsman tool catalogs.

 

[lafester]

Never mind. I found them in 1969-1972 craftsman tool catalogs.

Been looking everywhere for one of those!
You most definitely ****!

 

[torqueman2002]

Never mind. I found them in 1969-1972 craftsman tool catalogs.

LOL. So did I just now.

 

[McBrownie]

Never mind. I found them in 1969-1972 craftsman tool catalogs.

Bagged,

I have the same model. I see that your tool rest has “7/68” cast into it. Mine has “11/67”. I was never sure, but seems like those are dates to me.

View media item 45406

 

[compunaut]

Was able to pick up this 1/2 HP grinder last Fri. The label is kinda faded but I think it's Model 397.19340; I believe that means it's from the mid- to late-70s (but didn't find any date stamp).
No quench tray and no rubber bushing/feet, but the lamp, eye shields, wheel guards (cast) & covers (sheet metal) are all intact. Seems to run fine but needs a little cleanup - thing was covered in spiderwebs, tiny cocoons, and rolypoly 'shells'; probably stored for years in a drafty shed.

Craigslist find for $30. I paid $90 for my other one (which was very clean and included an original stand), but previous owner only used it for polishing, so those guards, covers & eye shields were removed & missing. This one was probably the better deal.

Where can I find replacement labels?

 

[PacificaVette]

Was able to pick up this 1/2 HP grinder last Fri. The label is kinda faded but I think it's Model 397.19340; I believe that means it's from the mid- to late-70s (but didn't find any date stamp).
No quench tray and no rubber bushing/feet, but the lamp, eye shields, wheel guards (cast) & covers (sheet metal) are all intact. Seems to run fine but needs a little cleanup - thing was covered in spiderwebs, tiny cocoons, and rolypoly 'shells'; probably stored for years in a drafty shed.

Craigslist find for $30. I paid $90 for my other one (which was very clean and included an original stand), but previous owner only used it for polishing, so those guards, covers & eye shields were removed & missing. This one was probably the better deal.

Where can I find replacement labels?

Try here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356439&highlight=block+grinder+label

 

[ProGun3400]

Picked up another 397 19580 on original stand, not far from home.....

 

[lafester]

Don't see these every day...

https://maine.craigslist.org/tls/d/craftsman-1-horsepower-bench/6670877982.html

 

[lafester]

Uploaded pics. Shouldn't be hard to ship, all boxed up and ready to go!

 

[greg86z28]

Should I take the risk? I think I'll be able to get it for $20. It's a 1hp model.

Here's what he said:

It was my uncles I got it and it did work for me now it does not when you turn switch it does nothing there were no noises before it went out no I have not I was going to but don’t really have the time

 

[Shiftless]

If it is really a 1 HP model...
Grab it now!
I’m 99 % sure it’s fixable. I would start by looking at that badly redone cord. Might just be a loose wire!
Parts are worth way more than $20.

A water tray by itself sold on eBay for $20 plus shipping within the last 2 weeks.

Or just resell it on GJ.

 

[Outlawmws]

Ditto. if not the cord those switches are prone to blowing out. Easy fix.

Even if it's major like the windings popped,, as Shift said, parts are worth more...

 

[tym]

Yeah, I'm putting my money on that craptastic cord redo.

Go for it!

 

[greg86z28]

Ok I'm lining my Father In Law to pick it up for me.

Thanks guys

I've been searching for a grinder for awhile now with no luck. Really hope I can actually get it running, the shop needs one

 

[bczygan]

Uploaded pics. Shouldn't be hard to ship, all boxed up and ready to go!

I've already got mine. It was NOS NIB. Cost $100 plus shipping from Pittsburgh.

He will sell it for $125 plus shipping. Shipping to me in Detroit for example, by FEDEX would be $56.

I've got it held.

Anyone want it?

Bill