let's see your craftsman block grinders

[Nosmada]

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post so please forgive me if I'm asking questions in the wrong group or thread.

I've just become the owner of 1/4 hp Craftsman block grinder, 397.19571. It's a bit rough in appearance, but seems to run smoothly, though I'd like to see the shaft rotate longer after I turn it off.

It has a 1/2" wheel on it now, but I'm wondering if I can go up to a 3/4", as I think there's enough shaft. I'll also get a new wire brush wheel on it. All of the flanges and arbor nuts are in good shape.

As the ID plate states this is a sealed bearing motor, am I correct that there's no lubrication I can do on the shaft?

Finally, does anyone know of a source for a manual, or a reproduction of the manual.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Nosmada]

I tried to add these photos to my post, but hadn't quite got the hang of it yet.
Nosmada

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep if those bearings need lube it's time to replace...

Check the first page of the thread or so I think there are links for manuals or other info?

Do you have both guards?

 

[tym]

I wonder why someone moved the power switch around...

 

[exmaxima1]

I wonder why someone moved the power switch around...

I believe that some of the earlier block grinders were available without a power switch and intended to be hard-wired at a production bench. That switch appears to have been added and not even centered---not oem. And either the center sheet metal or one of the wheel guards was reversed

 

[Nosmada]

I believe you are correct about it not having an oem power switch. The hole for the power switch still has burrs on the underside. There's also a punch-out (nickel sized) in the sheet metal that hasn't been used. The grinder only came with one guard - in its current position.
Do you believe I can safely put a 3/4" grinding wheel on it?
Thanks.

 

[Nosmada]

It only came with one guard. Thanks.

 

[exmaxima1]

It's only a 1/4hp grinder. You might be able to fit a 3/4" wide wheel on it, but don't expect much power especially from a coarse grit wheel.

 

[tym]

I believe you are correct about it not having an oem power switch. The hole for the power switch still has burrs on the underside. There's also a punch-out (nickel sized) in the sheet metal that hasn't been used. The grinder only came with one guard - in its current position.
Do you believe I can safely put a 3/4" grinding wheel on it?
Thanks.

The hole was from the knockout for attaching the gooseneck lamp assembly.

 

[Nosmada]

It's only a 1/4hp grinder. You might be able to fit a 3/4" wide wheel on it, but don't expect much power especially from a coarse grit wheel.

Thanks. I'm going to give it a try. It will only be used for light duty grinding.

 

[Outlawmws]

Keep the grinding wheel on the side with the guard ONLY

Its bad enough the wire wheel has no guard, so: Safety glasses AND a face shield recommended!

 

[JRC3]

Like I need another grinder. My dad picked this one up years ago...Not sure he ever used it. Trying to de-hoard them so I figured I'd keep this one. Can't wait to use it.

 

[Nosmada]

Keep the grinding wheel on the side with the gourd ONLY

Its bad enough the wire wheel has no guard, so: Safety glasses AND a face shield recommended!

Thanks for the suggestions. I do intend to be safe with it.

 

[Bobioz1]

I tried to add these photos to my post, but hadn't quite got the hang of it yet.
Nosmada

Which way does it spin?

 

[Nosmada]

Which way does it spin?

Facing the motor from where power switch is located, it spins from the top of wheel downward towards operator. Sparks would fly downward when grinding.

 

[KTzgrind]

Great grinder- till the motor fryer


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[LesserSon]

I was shopping at Jake’s Flea Market in Barto PA, today and spotted this pre-block. Unhhh. Only reason it didn’t come home with me was I didn’t have $35!
I suppose that 3-prong outlet is a bit of modification?

 

[Nosmada]

I was shopping at Jake’s Flea Market in Barto PA, today and spotted this pre-block. Unhhh. Only reason it didn’t come home with me was I didn’t have $35!
I suppose that 3-prong outlet is a bit of modification?

I can't believe how many varieties of this grinder that ended up under the CM label! Mine didn't start out with a power switch and it surely didn't have the 3-prong plug that came with it. I'm hoping to get some light use out of it. I really like those glass eye shields.

 

[torqueman2002]

Any Block heads near Columbus, OH? There's a CM grinder stand for $39!
Link to it in the following thread. -> https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7906173&postcount=6757

 

[JRC3]

Finally used the grinder I posted a few posts back and I think it has as much balls as my Baldor. I bet it would kick but with a buffer wheel, but I'll leave that on the Baldor.

I sharpened my old thick steel mower blades with it and loved the size of the rest for properly angling the blade against the wheel. Nice to see firsthand why TGJF raves about the old block grinders.

 

[tym]

Look what followed me home today!

The only flaw is a bent corner at the front right of the base. I might try to straighten it very carefully.

 

[Retroman]

Look what followed me home today!

The only flaw is a bent corner at the front right of the base. I might try to straighten it very carefully.

I am looking at a 1/2HP as well with stand aftermarket paint job but nicely done asking a $100 just curious as what these are selling for?

EDIT: Was going to post a pic but not listed anymore. I blew it again!!

 

[tym]

I am looking at a 1/2HP as well with stand aftermarket paint job but nicely done asking a $100 just curious as what these are selling for?

EDIT: Was going to post a pic but not listed anymore. I blew it again!!

This one was $40 (no stand) in the Boston area.

As for the bent corner, I see a slight crack. I will drill a hole at the tip to prevent further propagation. Is it a fool's errand to try to persuade the corner back into shape or should I just get a 1/8" thick shim for beneath that corner's foot?

 

[torqueman2002]

tym - My experience with a cast aluminum block wheel cover that had a crack, was it broke at the crack when I tried to straighten it.

I 'saved' it by using a metal epoxy. It doesn't receive any strain, so it's been fine for several years.

 

[tym]

tym - My experience with a cast aluminum block wheel cover that had a crack, was it broke at the crack when I tried to straighten it.

I 'saved' it by using a metal epoxy. It doesn't receive any strain, so it's been fine for several years.

Good to know. I wound up cutting and gluing two of those Hillman rubber feet to make a single taller foot for the bungled corner. No more wobbling or vibration.

 

[jtuttle4]

I just picked this up yesterday, gave $50 for it, 1/2 hp 7" 397.19440. Runs super smooth and quiet. Only problems are that somebody removed the lamp socket and it's missing the right wheel cover and the inner wheel guards has the corner broken. I can live with the break but would like to find a replacement side cover. If anyone has some extra parts, hit me up!

 

[losdudes]

I’m wondering why one 1/2 hp craftsman rotates away from me, that is up and another rotates downward. I was told that the one that rotates up is for sharpening blades such as chisels.. Any thoughts?

 

[Outlawmws]

Were the armature/wingdings put in backwards?

No, that's not supposed to be that way...

Can you wire them for reverse rotation?

 

[losdudes]

If the rotation is wrong, how do I change it?

 

[torqueman2002]

Were the armature/wingdings put in backwards?

No, that's not supposed to be that way...

Can you wire them for reverse rotation?

Yup, they are suppose to rotate towards the operator.

The only thing I can think of is it's wired out of 'phase'. That is, if the start-up winding is not energized [not your case, but explanation of sorts], the armature will not move and it will hum. If it is given a spin, it will rotate and run. The spin has to be fairly fast.

I wonder if it can run in either direction without the start-up winding energized. See wiring diagram for single voltage Block grinders, below.

Also, I think it maybe a rotor that is installed backwards. Just a guess though, since the rotor center section has 'stripes' running at an angle from the left hand side to the right hand side. The cooling fins should be installed on the LH side.

The orientation of the metal sections of the rotor maybe induce the rotation direction, based on the fields of magnetism of the field/start-up wingdings er windings.

Just my SWAGs.

 

[losdudes]

Thanks, I’ll check it tomorrow

 

[Bobioz1]

If the rotation is wrong, how do I change it?

Stand on the other side of the grinder.

 

[alpinewhite]

Stand on the other side of the grinder.

lol. Or mount it on the ceiling. ;-)

 

[Outlawmws]

Ship it to Australia!

 

[losdudes]

I reversed the rotor and it runs in the right direction now
Thanks Torqueman2002

 

[Outlawmws]

The nuts will be tightening on the wheels in the right direction as well... Using it reversed like that could have lost a wheel and launched it...

 

[losdudes]

All good now, I never used it like it was. The man that had it before me was a carpenter and the grinder was well used. Must have sharpened a lot of chisels with it.

 

[torqueman2002]

You are welcome. Well, that is good to hear!

Now we know that the rotor orientation determines the direction of spin. Who knew?!

 

[Svt_ivan]

New to this thread. Glad to have found it and reached out to fellow members on here who helped out with my first restoration.

Before photo on the right


Tear down


Finished




First one done, two more to go!

 

[WWShop]

Wow! Nice work and i really like the red!