let's see your craftsman block grinders

[mattsz]

Thanks torqueman - especially for the wiring diagram. It clears things up...

 

[torqueman2002]

Thanks torqueman - especially for the wiring diagram. It clears things up...

You are welcome.
BTW - as I prepared my eMail reply, I noticed I needed to change a relay terminal label; which I have done above.

 

[torqueman2002]

So, I have been thinking about selling my 1 hp, do they sell good on Ebay? Anyone sold one on there? Its just sat in my tool room on the floor for like a year or more now. I use a 1/2 in my garage and another in my little metal shop out bac. Here is the post from when I got it. any input would be great, thanks!


https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6617230&postcount=9823

That is a nice condition mac-daddy Block! They do bring very good prices on eBay, from what I have seen.

I've sold a fully restored 1/3-HP round top on eBay. I don't recall the exact price, but it was more than what CL Blocks bring in this area.

The owners manual is a nice extra.

I don't see one in the Vintage Machinery library of free PDF manuals.
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3

It would be awesome to have that posted. If you want to send me a PDF scan, I'd happily post it for others to use.

 

[RagTopTA]

I meant to do that a while back. Ill dig it out and get some pocs of each page for you.

 

[torqueman2002]

I meant to do that a while back. Ill dig it out and get some pocs of each page for you.

 

[mattsz]

Hi all -

I'm a new member here, posting at the suggestion of torqueman2002. I've inherited my father's old Craftsman 1/4 hp, model 397.19400. When I turn it on, it just hums loudly - the wheels don’t turn. The wheels do spin freely with no resistance, in either direction, whether the power is on or off, even when it's humming loudly. I know it’s not good for the motor, so I haven’t turned it on for any length of time in this condition, just a few times, each for less than a second, to test it.

I'm hoping to find a copy of the manual. Someone awhile back suggested that it must be a “bad start capacitor,” but I see that other model manuals don’t list a start capacitor, but instead a "starting relay." I actually have taken the covers off and exposed the “innards,” I can see these things are very basic: just motor windings, relay, and power switch (removed in the photo).

I’m hoping for some info on how to test the components, before I go buying new stuff - assuming there is new stuff I can buy to get it running. Are there specs for coil resistances or relay tests I can do? Anybody have a copy of a 397.19400 manual available?

Anyway, happy for any input to get it running again...

Well, I have good news, kind of...

I went to try running the grinder just one more time before really getting stuck in, and it fired right up! I guess it could have been a bad connection somewhere; I haven't tried it since I disconnected the power switch earlier, and of course I had to reconnect the wires before trying again today.

I'm a little embarrassed about the "easy fix," but thanks everyone who chimed in!

Now I’ve gotta decide what to do with it - I don’t trust the wheels currently installed, and I’d kind of like to see about getting a wire brush for it as well. But first - a cleanup, including all the electrical contacts!

 

[torqueman2002]

Easy fix is the best kind!

x2

 

[mattsz]

Thanks guys!

 

[lafester]

Spent way too much on this 3/4 today but they are pretty hard to find. And it is complete with stand.

 

[torqueman2002]

Owners manual for Sears | Craftsman 257.191601 | 1HP (8"x1"x5/8") Capacitor-Start Bench Grinder

Publication is available for viewing and download at: http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=23139

A big thanks to RagTopTA.

 

[torqueman2002]

Spent way too much on this 3/4 today but they are pretty hard to find. And it is complete with stand.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Buy them when you find them!

Nice one.

 

[lafester]

Picked up another for good measure.

 

[torqueman2002]

Picked up another for good measure.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[harley jim]

Picked up another for good measure.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

That's great

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

 

[lafester]

The second one was half the price of the first. Only $120. Both 3/4 hp.

 

[torqueman2002]

Update, still haven’t figure out which lead goes where lol.

I do know which are the mains/aux now though!

You might be able to zero in on them using my resistance readings, see below.

Make out a chart/table like the one I sent you and see what readings you get.

My meter has a delta ability - connect the test leads together and press the delta button, the meter reads zero Ohms resistance.

If your meter does not have that function, no problem.

Set the meter to resistance and note what the reading is when the 2 test leads are connected together. That reading is what the test leads are contributing to your readings. Just subtract that value (probably ~0.1 to 0.2 Ohms) from the readings for the rest of the measurements.

I hope that helps.

 

[lafester]

Here's the label off that flat top 3/4.
The plan is to sell off this one to hopefully pay off some of the round top.

I will clean it up but I am not sure if I should do any painting. The top of the band is a little rusty so I will clean that up first and see how she looks.

I bought both while visiting Tucson... the round top came from Phoenix and the flatty came from Tucson, 5 min from the house.

 

[So Cal Brian B]

Been searching for a 3/4 or 1 hp grinder but haven't had any luck so far.

 

[So Cal Brian B]

Was finally able to upload some pictures of my first Craftsman block grinder. It runs so smoothly. I'm amazed. You can hardly tell that it's on. It cleaned up very well.

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[drivesitfar]

Brian: nice looking block AND on it's original stand. NICE FIND!!

 

[lafester]

Looks like somebody markered in the date but it looks nice!
That looks a lot like my first grinder but I quickly wanted more power.
I think maybe I should have kept it around.

 

[lafester]

I am taking apart my 3/4 round top to swap in some new bearings.
Looks hardly used, much different from the first 3/4 I found which was beat to hell and missing most everything.

So under the grinder I see the wiring diagram glued to the heavy duty base. Never seen that before so here is a pic. You can see where they drilled in self tapping screws through each rubber foot. Not very secure but I think it was a recent addition.

Inside it looks nice and new except they did replace the lamp socket with one that does not have a switch. Not sure what they did there with the wiring yet but it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[exmaxima1]

So under the grinder I see the wiring diagram glued to the heavy duty base. Never seen that before so here is a pic. You can see where they drilled in self tapping screws through each rubber foot. Not very secure but I think it was a recent addition.
.

I have the same grinder and it has those same self-tapping screws for the rubber feet. I would say they are from the factory like that.

 

[lafester]

I have the same grinder and it has those same self-tapping screws for the rubber feet. I would say they are from the factory like that.

Crazy!
I didn't think they had self tapping screws in the 60s.
I'll get a couple pics to verify.

My method is to use a long bolts up through the stand and threaded holes in the base. Set the grinder on and tighten it up with nut and washer.

Oh, the wiring was all good, just covered in tape for some reason.

Here is a pic showing the screws and my bolt method.

UPDATE:

I have the new 3/4 in it's home next to the pre block 1/2 hp. I don't think I will be upgrading either of these any time soon.

I have the 3/4 flat top mostly apart and will replace the bearings on that tomorrow. I think it was left outside for awhile in the arizona heat as the bearings feel very dry.

QUESTION: How do you clean up plastic eye shields that have yellowed?

 

[GTO]

I have a 1HP Block from the mid 70's with a "Sears Best" sticker on it.
I got it for free about 12 yrs ago.
Sorry don't know how to post pix...

 

[lafester]

I have a 1HP Block from the mid 70's with a "Sears Best" sticker on it.
I got it for free about 12 yrs ago.
Sorry don't know how to post pix...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13

 

[torqueman2002]

.... QUESTION: How do you clean up plastic eye shields that have yellowed?

Try this thread: CM Block Grinder plastic eye shield clean-up.

link. --> https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=311635


While I haven't tried it myself, I've wondered if the automotive headlight lens cleaning kits might work on these Block eye shields.

 

[bagged89s10]

these keep following me home. Got this 1/2HP block with stand. Look at the casting flaw on the stand though. I first thought it was a repair but it’s perfect with original paint underneath.

 

[lafester]

Hard to pass up any complete block with the stand, nice!
That casting is definitely unique.

 

[tym]

Hard to pass up any complete block with the stand, nice!
That casting is definitely unique.

Parting line from the mold?

 

[bagged89s10]

Parting line from the mold?

that’s what i’m thinking

 

[1967ChevyRagtop]

What is a "block grinder"?
thx
bg

 

[Outlawmws]

What is a "block grinder"?
thx
bg

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794

 

[torqueman2002]

What is a "block grinder"?
thx
bg

Some of the links are broken, but the following thread may help. 'Craftsman Block motor Bench Grinders - What's the Fuss (with resource information) '

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249539

 

[So Cal Brian B]

Brian: nice looking block AND on it's original stand. NICE FIND!!

Thank you drivesitfar!! I appreciate the kind words.

 

[lafester]

I think this is my first local block find ever.
1/2 hp round top with metal switch. Just missing the eye shields and spark arrestors.
And, I finally found a wheel dresser.
$50 and 1.5 miles away.

So last year I drove 8hrs and paid $85 for one just like it. You can probably find it if you go back a few pages. After that of course they started popping up all over.

 

[harley jim]

I think this is my first local block find ever.
1/2 hp round top with metal switch. Just missing the eye shields and spark arrestors.
And, I finally found a wheel dresser.
$50 and 1.5 miles away.

So last year I drove 8hrs and paid $85 for one just like it. You can probably find it if you go back a few pages. After that of course they started popping up all over.

Good find on that one.
I need to get a wheel dresser mine is getting worn pretty bad. I think because it was cheap.

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

 

[lafester]

Good find on that one.
I need to get a wheel dresser mine is getting worn pretty bad. I think because it was cheap.

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

I have a cheap diamond one from Amazon. I've used it once and it barely does anything now.

 

[harley jim]

That's good to know, amazon is usually my go to source. Mine wobbles real bad

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[1967ChevyRagtop]

Thank-you!
I actually just joined again b/c I didn't get an email notification
bg