let's see your craftsman block grinders

[torqueman2002]

What feature distinguishes a “pre-block” from a “block?” The manufacturer? I don’t see the difference on the outside.

One test is to put loose stone wheel on a screwdriver, like a shishkabob, hold the handle, use another screwdriver handle and strike the stone. If it rings true, its probably good. If it rings dull or flat, toss it.

Generally, Block grinders have the prefix 257. or 397; pre-Blocks have a prefix of 115.

Grinding wheels are not that expensive and if one should fail, it can be devastating to the operator.

You can find more information to both questions in the following thread.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4000526&postcount=1

 

[Maineiacmoose]

I finally had a min to unbox my Christmas present! Man I am impressed this thing is a beautiful machine. Totally worth a four hour drive.

 

[exmaxima1]

What feature distinguishes a “pre-block” from a “block?” The manufacturer? I don’t see the difference on the outside.

Primary difference is that a pre-block is cast iron, and weighs about twice as much as an aluminum block grinder. Pre-blocks also have massive stator laminations that account for much of that weight, and have much more power than the nameplate indicates.

 

[torqueman2002]

I finally had a min to unbox my Christmas present! Man I am impressed this thing is a beautiful machine. Totally worth a four hour drive.

Awesome!

 

[torqueman2002]

Primary difference is that a pre-block is cast iron, and weighs about twice as much as an aluminum block grinder. Pre-blocks also have massive stator laminations that account for much of that weight, and have much more power than the nameplate indicates.

Yes ^^.

Also, Paramount/Allegretti & Co. manufactured for Sears from the early 1960's to early 1980's, but I suppose that is not obvious by visiual inspection.

Another source of information on these vintage grinders is OWWM.
http://owwm.org/

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I finally had a min to unbox my Christmas present! Man I am impressed this thing is a beautiful machine. Totally worth a four hour drive.

Hard to imagine you can still find those MIB this many years later, huh

 

[lafester]

Very nice, last of the round top models. Would be hard to resist a nib 1/2 hp.

I finally had a min to unbox my Christmas present! Man I am impressed this thing is a beautiful machine. Totally worth a four hour drive.

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[jonshonda]

Hard to imagine you can still find those MIB this many years later, huh

Two questions:

1st: You obviously have great taste in tools and have an affliction for CM grinders, any other cool collections you can share with GJ?

2nd: Do you have any one that will inherit your collection? If not, would you consider adoption?

 

[Negen]

Two questions:

1st: You obviously have great taste in tools and have an affliction for CM grinders, any other cool collections you can share with GJ?

2nd: Do you have any one that will inherit your collection? If not, would you consider adoption?

Outside of gj people would question ones mental status and probably be scared and or worried. Here our questions are different and mine is why are these excellent tools not in use.

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[Maineiacmoose]

Hard to imagine you can still find those MIB this many years later, huh

Now that is amazing! Very nice collection. This little fella is going in the garage. I can't imagine why someone would want to not use their tools. But hey its good for us since the new ones seem lesser made.

 

[WWShop]

It sure would be fun to unbox that 1 hp.

 

[BFBOB]

One of the consumables on these grinders is the little rubber feet. I'm sure they're NLA from Sears, but I found an excellent replacement at Lowe's. In the Hillman line, the foot part of it is a tad bigger than the original, but the neck and the head fit in the grinder's slots perfectly. Cheap too!

 

[tym]

One of the consumables on these grinders is the little rubber feet. I'm sure they're NLA from Sears, but I found an excellent replacement at Lowe's. In the Hillman line, the foot part of it is a tad bigger than the original, but the neck and the head fit in the grinder's slots perfectly. Cheap too!

Yup! These are a great fit for long-gone feet.

 

[cgrutt]

Is 357.1950 a block grinder? Just found one in Grandpa's Garage. Any idea of value if in good working condition? Grandpa passed last year and Grandma could use the funds...

 

[cajunfirehawk]

It sure would be fun to unbox that 1 hp.

Nah, I have several already open...

(Sorry these aren't too neat...)

 

[WWShop]

Nah, I have several already open...

(Sorry these aren't too neat...)

What the..???? That is really cool!

 

[WWShop]

What was this stand originally for?

 

[lafester]

Hmm. Shaper or planer is my guess.

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[Asport]

Nah, I have several already open...

This guy looks lonely!

 

[Shiftless]

cajunfirehawk:
You sir have an amazing grinder collection!

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Two questions:

1st: You obviously have great taste in tools and have an affliction for CM grinders, any other cool collections you can share with GJ?

2nd: Do you have any one that will inherit your collection? If not, would you consider adoption?

1st question, understand collecting is just another form of some dysfunctional condition we has humans have; yes I also collect; hot wheels, tool themed bottle openers, mardi gras memorabilia (since I am from Nawlins) craftsman spinner 3/8" drive ratchets, Herbrand J9a spinner ratchets, wilton 2" vises w/ power arms, tools in general, we have 3 non daily driver cars in our garages so I suppose we collect those too? At one time I collected Oakley items and glasses (it has a large following) and way back 1/6th scale wwii related items (think hi end gi joes) also way back lionel o gauge trains.


2nd question, I have 3 grand kids so far, so some of it will go to them, when I retire in the next few years I plan to thin out my block grinders and likely other stuff too, the chase is just as much a part of it as collecting, IMHO
PS- items in red collected were directly caused by this forum!

 

[cajunfirehawk]

cajunfirehawk:
You sir have an amazing grinder collection!

Dr Block caused it, lol

 

[torqueman2002]

Dr Block caused it, lol

Thank you, but I didn't do it all by myself.

I had a lot of help from other Block aficionados /Block Heads!

 

[bubinga]

Thank you, but I didn't do it all by myself.

I had a lot of help from other Block aficionados /Block Heads!

No You're Still "The wizard"
Aren't you the one they were calling "The Block Wizard" and I said every time I see that I think of the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz, With all The Smoke and Mirrors,
"Pay No Attention To That Man behind The Curtain"...........LMAO
That's You Back There working the machine.................L0L

 

[bubinga]

1st question, understand collecting is just another form of some dysfunctional condition we has humans have; yes I also collect; hot wheels, tool themed bottle openers, mardi gras memorabilia (since I am from Nawlins) craftsman spinner 3/8" drive ratchets, Herbrand J9a spinner ratchets, wilton 2" vises w/ power arms, tools in general, we have 3 non daily driver cars in our garages so I suppose we collect those too? At one time I collected Oakley items and glasses (it has a large following) and way back 1/6th scale wwii related items (think hi end gi joes) also way back lionel o gauge trains.


2nd question, I have 3 grand kids so far, so some of it will go to them, when I retire in the next few years I plan to thin out my block grinders and likely other stuff too, the chase is just as much a part of it as collecting, IMHO
PS- items in red collected were directly caused by this forum!

Have You got the grand kids Interested in this type of thing?
Seems to be a Lost art these days.............

 

[drivesitfar]

Cajun: any chance you might want to set up all those blocks up against the wall plugged in with each one having different wheels? if i had the space i know that's what I do with some of mine.

DOC: we just are following your excellent path.

ALL: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

 

[torqueman2002]

Happy thanksgiving to all the Block Heads out there!

 

[torqueman2002]

Here's a nice 1/2-HP round top for $50, just listed. Oh, it's not mine.

https://porthuron.craigslist.org/tls/d/grinder/6755314401.html

 

[lafester]

I need to move.

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[cajunfirehawk]

Cajun: any chance you might want to set up all those blocks up against the wall plugged in with each one having different wheels? if i had the space i know that's what I do with some of mine.

Kinda like this?

 

[torqueman2002]

Kinda like this?

Sweeet!

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Sweeet!

Hope your well Dr Block and you had a great thanksgiving too! Any new projects?

 

[drivesitfar]

Cajun: that's a good start!! now to change wheels on all of them so you'll have a different wheel at the ready for any project and getting them all plugged in would be AWESOME!

that's quite a collection and that's not even including the NEW OLD STOCK ones you have in boxes on the shelves.

it doesn't look like you are short on floor space, but i am so i'm probably going to make a few hitch mounts for mine to change out when I need to.

ALL: here's a thread I started a few years ago where members put in their ideas or copy some good ones.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252799&highlight=vise+grinder+stands

I too love the original Craftsman grinder stands, but having room to put them up against the wall or in a row like Cajun isn't in the cards for me so here are a few of my favorite hitch mounts for vises and grinders.

this little 6 inch B&D grinder came to me on this stand and I just dolly it outside my garage for some quick wire wheeling, but an old block would work just as well which would be my preference.

 

[rporonga]

Someone in the Know (more about R&R-ing the label) Will Jump in.
If It were me, these days, I'd just mask it and paint it, and be done with it.

Thanks for the reply. I am going the masking+painting route. Will post pictures once done.

 

[rporonga]

Matt is also selling his labels on ebay now too, fwiw.
(under seller id mattssign)

Thanks for the info. I decided to paint around the original label. If this fails, I'll get a reproduction.

 

[torqueman2002]

Hope your well Dr Block and you had a great thanksgiving too! Any new projects?

Thanks firehawk!

I am well and changing my focus from my daughter's 2004 Yukon Denali repair/reliability endeavor, back to hunting and bagging local Blocks.

The hunting in this part of the NE is very good, as usual.

 

[bubinga]

Thanks for the reply. I am going the masking+painting route. Will post pictures once done.

Thanks for the info. I decided to paint around the original label. If this fails, I'll get a reproduction.

Good Deal!!

 

[torqueman2002]

I need some help answering questions from a member I received in a PM.

I suspect this is a question more than one of us has asked, I know I did after my first vintage Craftsman grinder I brought home, just to find out it was not a true Block.

"1. WHAT EXACTLY is the "block" term referring to? Is it just the body of the grinder???

2. WHICH models were made of cast iron and which were composite/plastic? When looking online at grinders for sale, I'm having a hard time determining which ones are cast iron and which ones are plastic....?

Is there a way to know based on pictures when viewing online???"

Before the PotoBucket debacle, this would be easily answered by looking at the thread: "Craftsman Block motor Bench Grinders - What's the Fuss (with resource information)". --> https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249539

I would ask your help by posting up examples of your Blocks with HP, model number, and mfg date (if known); maybe include a good close up of the label, too.

I'll kick off with this from the above link.

What is a Block grinder?
"... the classic Craftsman bench grinders that were manufactured for Sears by Paramount/Allegretti & Co. from the early 1960's to early 1980's. Affectionately known as "Block Motor" grinders because of their unique shape, these power tools have developed a large following among shop enthusiasts because of their legendary reliability, accuracy, and power.

The "Block Motor" grinder can be readily identified by the Sears manufacturer prefix of 397 or 257 (as in 397.XXXXX); which is stamped on the front label. Popular models include 1/4-HP, 1/3-HP, 1/2-HP, 3/4-HP, and 1-HP Industrial units."
(Link is now broken, sorry) Link to: "Vintage Craftsman "Block Motor" bench grinder info -" (source)
http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-motor-style-grinders

"People always want to know what makes these things {CM Block grinders} so special; here's the reason. Look at those field windings. That is some VERY thick copper wire. When compared to a modern Chinese winding, these look GIGANTIC. The imports use very thin field wire. This is what makes these "block motors" so darn powerful and long lasting." (Link is now broken, sorry) Source - http://tinyurl.com/0-5-HP-CM-Block-Motor-FINISHED

There are different styles of Block grinders, ....
Early round top models ('mail box' style, some call them)

3/4-HP, m-397.19670

1/3-HP, m-397.19580

More to follow.


Partial list.

 

[thirdmouse]

I picked up this little 1/3 hp one yesterday. It needs some clean up, but it runs like a top. This picture is from the ad.

 

[torqueman2002]

I picked up this little 1/3 hp one yesterday. It needs some clean up, but it runs like a top. This picture is from the ad.

Nice round top.

1/3-HP? What is the model number? Any date stamp on bottom cover?