let's see your craftsman block grinders

[KIRK!]

Just finished mine yesterday. Picked it up on eBay from the original owner on eBay and it was in excellent condition. The inside looked like it had never been used. Sadly the lamp shade was crushed to a pretty dramatic oval during shipping. Luckily I was able to straighten it back out. Not perfect, but pretty good. The base was from a different eBay seller.

Before:

<a href="https://ibb.co/6nqN9Cv"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/C1SWCGJ/a2.jpg" alt="a2" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/DDqBdg2"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/JRhYZFJ/a3.jpg" alt="a3" border="0"></a>

Stripped it all the way down in and out. I even got some of the hardware nickel plated because I was sending a batch in for my Delta drill press project. The rest of the hardware is either stainless or brass. Super nerdy. Paint is Rustoleum hammered light blue and dark gray. Spins so crazy smooth. The last grinder I'll ever need.

After:

<a href="https://ibb.co/sqWnkQq"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/3cR2GWc/a1.jpg" alt="a1" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/qkh9C8C"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/KFB7DgD/a4.jpg" alt="a4" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/mGsH21N"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/xDvMBPF/a5.jpg" alt="a5" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/ZWHdbVL"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/4PsW07m/a6.jpg" alt="a6" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/xDF5RfG"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/drmKzL6/a7.jpg" alt="a7" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/tz16LKQ"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/ypxC4Pd/a8.jpg" alt="a8" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/Xz86SVQ"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/MR6KM9v/a9.jpg" alt="a9" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/7Yywy7m"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/w0696Dm/a10.jpg" alt="a10" border="0"></a>

 

[Bobioz1]

Just finished mine yesterday. Picked it up on eBay from the original owner on eBay and it was in excellent condition. The inside looked like it had never been used. Sadly the lamp shade was crushed to a pretty dramatic oval during shipping. Luckily I was able to straighten it back out. Not perfect, but pretty good. The base was from a different eBay seller.

Before:

<a href="https://ibb.co/6nqN9Cv"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/C1SWCGJ/a2.jpg" alt="a2" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/DDqBdg2"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/JRhYZFJ/a3.jpg" alt="a3" border="0"></a>

Stripped it all the way down in and out. I even got some of the hardware nickel plated because I was sending a batch in for my Delta drill press project. The rest of the hardware is either stainless or brass. Super nerdy. Paint is Rustoleum hammered light blue and dark gray. Spins so crazy smooth. The last grinder I'll ever need.

After:

<a href="https://ibb.co/sqWnkQq"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/3cR2GWc/a1.jpg" alt="a1" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/qkh9C8C"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/KFB7DgD/a4.jpg" alt="a4" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/mGsH21N"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/xDvMBPF/a5.jpg" alt="a5" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/ZWHdbVL"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/4PsW07m/a6.jpg" alt="a6" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/xDF5RfG"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/drmKzL6/a7.jpg" alt="a7" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/tz16LKQ"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/ypxC4Pd/a8.jpg" alt="a8" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/Xz86SVQ"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/MR6KM9v/a9.jpg" alt="a9" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/7Yywy7m"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/w0696Dm/a10.jpg" alt="a10" border="0"></a>

Great job!

 

[ChefRex]

Just finished mine yesterday. Picked it up on eBay from the original owner on eBay and it was in excellent condition. The inside looked like it had never been used. Sadly the lamp shade was crushed to a pretty dramatic oval during shipping. Luckily I was able to straighten it back out. Not perfect, but pretty good. The base was from a different eBay seller.

Before:

<a href="https://ibb.co/6nqN9Cv"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/C1SWCGJ/a2.jpg" alt="a2" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/DDqBdg2"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/JRhYZFJ/a3.jpg" alt="a3" border="0"></a>

Stripped it all the way down in and out. I even got some of the hardware nickel plated because I was sending a batch in for my Delta drill press project. The rest of the hardware is either stainless or brass. Super nerdy. Paint is Rustoleum hammered light blue and dark gray. Spins so crazy smooth. The last grinder I'll ever need.

After:

<a href="https://ibb.co/sqWnkQq"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/3cR2GWc/a1.jpg" alt="a1" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/qkh9C8C"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/KFB7DgD/a4.jpg" alt="a4" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/mGsH21N"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/xDvMBPF/a5.jpg" alt="a5" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/ZWHdbVL"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/4PsW07m/a6.jpg" alt="a6" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/xDF5RfG"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/drmKzL6/a7.jpg" alt="a7" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/tz16LKQ"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/ypxC4Pd/a8.jpg" alt="a8" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/Xz86SVQ"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/MR6KM9v/a9.jpg" alt="a9" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/7Yywy7m"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/w0696Dm/a10.jpg" alt="a10" border="0"></a>

I understand the stand but the grinder was beautiful and original, they're only original once.

 

[KIRK!]

I understand the stand but the grinder was beautiful and original, they're only original once.

Yep. Doesn't mean I have to like the original colors or start with a crappy candidate. Just like I'll happily cut up a nice original car.

 

[ChefRex]

Yep. Doesn't mean I have to like the original colors or start with a crappy candidate. Just like I'll happily cut up a nice original car.

It's yours do as you wish.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Beautiful job Kirk

 

[lafester]

You do very good work, but it looked better original.
There are plenty of grinders out there that could use some new paint.

 

[KIRK!]

You do very good work, but it looked better original.
There are plenty of grinders out there that could use some new paint.

Hopefully people will paint them. Stock anything *****.

 

[jerryd67]

Bought this 3/4 hp last year at an auction, and finally got around to restoring it.

The stand got donated to my 1 hp I bought recently. The paint (and label) were pretty rough, and since I have not been happy with the durability of re-paints on these beauties, I invested in powder coat equipment, and the whole thing is now powder coated. For anyone interested in the colors, I used Prismatic Powders "Rally Silver" for the center band and eye shield frames, and their "Wrought Iron II" was almost a dead ringer for the color of the original for the remaining pieces. MattBlast provided the new labels.

The plastic eye shields that were originally on the 3/4 hp got donated to another project, and I utilized a pair of the larger metal frame eye shields. Luckily, the metal on the larger metal eye shields is thicker than the small versions, and you can get the glass out without snapping the tabs, so I had a local glass company cut some safety glass to the original dimensions, and even figured out how to reverse print some clear "Shatterproof Glass" labels.

Pleased overall with how it turned out.

 

[lafester]

That looks pretty sweet. I bet you could sell a few of those shatter proof labels here.
Is that a 7 or 8 inch grinder? I'm starting to get confused between the different 3/4 models.

 

[jerryd67]

The 397.19451 has 8" x 1" wheels, just like the 1 hp. I've seen different 1/2 hp versions that utilize both 6" x 3/4" and 7" x 1", but all the 3/4 hp models I've seen (I also have a round-top version 397-19670) have the 8" wheels. I recently helped my brother-in-law restore a 1/3 hp pre-block that utilized 7" x 3/4" wheels, so there definitely is some variety.

 

[jerryd67]

Forgot to mention...I've got a whole sheet of the "Shatterproof Glass" labels printed...be happy to share, just shoot me a pm with your address. Maybe you can send me back $1 to cover postage. If not, no big loss.

 

[ChefRex]

Bought this 3/4 hp last year at an auction, and finally got around to restoring it.

The stand got donated to my 1 hp I bought recently. The paint (and label) were pretty rough, and since I have not been happy with the durability of re-paints on these beauties, I invested in powder coat equipment, and the whole thing is now powder coated. For anyone interested in the colors, I used Prismatic Powders "Rally Silver" for the center band and eye shield frames, and their "Wrought Iron II" was almost a dead ringer for the color of the original for the remaining pieces. MattBlast provided the new labels.

The plastic eye shields that were originally on the 3/4 hp got donated to another project, and I utilized a pair of the larger metal frame eye shields. Luckily, the metal on the larger metal eye shields is thicker than the small versions, and you can get the glass out without snapping the tabs, so I had a local glass company cut some safety glass to the original dimensions, and even figured out how to reverse print some clear "Shatterproof Glass" labels.

Pleased overall with how it turned out.

Very nice stock resto!

 

[Bobioz1]

Bought this 3/4 hp last year at an auction, and finally got around to restoring it.

The stand got donated to my 1 hp I bought recently. The paint (and label) were pretty rough, and since I have not been happy with the durability of re-paints on these beauties, I invested in powder coat equipment, and the whole thing is now powder coated. For anyone interested in the colors, I used Prismatic Powders "Rally Silver" for the center band and eye shield frames, and their "Wrought Iron II" was almost a dead ringer for the color of the original for the remaining pieces. MattBlast provided the new labels.

The plastic eye shields that were originally on the 3/4 hp got donated to another project, and I utilized a pair of the larger metal frame eye shields. Luckily, the metal on the larger metal eye shields is thicker than the small versions, and you can get the glass out without snapping the tabs, so I had a local glass company cut some safety glass to the original dimensions, and even figured out how to reverse print some clear "Shatterproof Glass" labels.

Pleased overall with how it turned out.

Great job! If you were going for the totally original look, you should’ve put the “Sears Best” sticker on a little crooked. That’s how I always find them.

 

[Eric29]

From my sister’s basement.

 

[jerryd67]

Great job! If you were going for the totally original look, you should’ve put the “Sears Best” sticker on a little crooked. That’s how I always find them.

I hear you Bob...the original label on my 1 hp is off center, and it drives the OCD part of me crazy, but the grinder is in such great original condition, I can't bring myself to touch it.

 

[lafester]

There is definitely a 7" version with the light duty switch and no hd base.
That nos one posted the other day has the hd switch but 8 in wheels and no hd base. Now yours has the hd base, 8 in wheels but light duty switch. Confusing.

397.19350

The 397.19451 has 8" x 1" wheels, just like the 1 hp. I've seen different 1/2 hp versions that utilize both 6" x 3/4" and 7" x 1", but all the 3/4 hp models I've seen (I also have a round-top version 397-19670) have the 8" wheels. I recently helped my brother-in-law restore a 1/3 hp pre-block that utilized 7" x 3/4" wheels, so there definitely is some variety.

 

[jerryd67]

There is definitely a 7" version with the light duty switch and no hd base.
That nos one posted the other day has the hd switch but 8 in wheels and no hd base. Now yours has the hd base, 8 in wheels but light duty switch. Confusing.

397.19350

Thank you for sharing...that's one I had not seen before. I'm amazed at the variations they made in these things.

 

[DaveT]

From my sister’s basement.

Eric: That is an awesome setup with the stand and the tool sharpening jig.

 

[JZiggy]

Great job! If you were going for the totally original look, you should’ve put the “Sears Best” sticker on a little crooked. That’s how I always find them.

That is so true! Just like trucks with chrome bumpers that come with a dent "from the factory".

That's one of the cleanest factory-fresh restore jobs I've seen. Awesome.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Fantastic job Jerry!

 

[KIRK!]

Bought this 3/4 hp last year at an auction, and finally got around to restoring it.

Pleased overall with how it turned out.

HOLY ****! That's beautiful!

 

[davethorik]

Yard sale gold. This 1/4 hp round top is complete and runs smooth. Quench tray hole was never knocked out. Only $5, not too shabby.
Edit: a leap year model, that's kinda cool

 

[Old Radar]

Practically free! Nice find!

 

[exmaxima1]

Practically free! Nice find!

+1

 

[davethorik]

Thanks guys! I also bought a nice Husky triple tap and a Stanley drilling hammer from the same guy for $1/each, you can kinda see them next to the grinder. I gave him a 10 and told him to keep it. Super cool guy.

 

[Ponchovilla]

Just picked up this 1/4hp off Facebook Marketplace for $30. Dirty, but hasn't been used much at all in 56 years. I have been restoring old hand tools and was in need of a bench grinder, so I am pleased. I'll clean it up, obviously. And put on new wheels. But what else should I do? No, it never had a switch installed. Yes, that's an original lawn mower blade sharpening jig. I don't have a lawn. Very cool to have found this forum. Can't wait to shine this up and use it. Any advice is welcome, I'm totally new to this.

Edit: my photos don't seem to posting (from google photos). How do I get them up?

 

[lafester]

Just picked up this 1/4hp off Facebook Marketplace for $30. Dirty, but hasn't been used much at all in 56 years. I have been restoring old hand tools and was in need of a bench grinder, so I am pleased. I'll clean it up, obviously. And put on new wheels. But what else should I do? No, it never had a switch installed. Yes, that's an original lawn mower blade sharpening jig. I don't have a lawn. Very cool to have found this forum. Can't wait to shine this up and use it. Any advice is welcome, I'm totally new to this.

Edit: my photos don't seem to posting (from google photos). How do I get them up?

Upload to forum under 'manage attachments'.

 

[Ponchovilla]

Thank you lafester! Got it.

 

[ChefRex]

Yard sale gold. This 1/4 hp round top is complete and runs smooth. Quench tray hole was never knocked out. Only $5, not too shabby.
Edit: a leap year model, that's kinda cool

That deserves a "you ****"!

 

[ChefRex]

Just picked up this 1/4hp off Facebook Marketplace for $30. Dirty, but hasn't been used much at all in 56 years. I have been restoring old hand tools and was in need of a bench grinder, so I am pleased. I'll clean it up, obviously. And put on new wheels. But what else should I do? No, it never had a switch installed. Yes, that's an original lawn mower blade sharpening jig. I don't have a lawn. Very cool to have found this forum. Can't wait to shine this up and use it. Any advice is welcome, I'm totally new to this.

Edit: my photos don't seem to posting (from google photos). How do I get them up?

Nice find! And welcome.

 

[tym]

Yard sale gold. This 1/4 hp round top is complete and runs smooth. Quench tray hole was never knocked out. Only $5, not too shabby.
Edit: a leap year model, that's kinda cool

Nice! Beats the $15 1/4 HP unit I bought at a yard sale a couple of years ago and is my user grinder. I spent more adding a lamp and new feet to it!

 

[cmccuist1]

How many of you guys use the eye shields? I don't even have them on my grinders. I just use safety glasses.

I realize that if you're restoring a block for resale or as a project, then the correct eye shields add a lot to the value, but as a feature, not so much. Just curious.

 

[Old Radar]

I use safety glasses as a second line of defense. The grinder eye shields stay down except for those moments when they interfere with the work piece.

 

[exmaxima1]

Just picked up this 1/4hp off Facebook Marketplace for $30. Dirty, but hasn't been used much at all in 56 years. I have been restoring old hand tools and was in need of a bench grinder, so I am pleased. I'll clean it up, obviously. And put on new wheels. But what else should I do? No, it never had a switch installed. Yes, that's an original lawn mower blade sharpening jig. I don't have a lawn. Very cool to have found this forum. Can't wait to shine this up and use it. Any advice is welcome, I'm totally new to this.

Edit: my photos don't seem to posting (from google photos). How do I get them up?

I'd like to see anyone use that jig to sharpen a lawn mower blade. Works well on chisels and wood plane blades though...

 

[Bigblockyeti]

This looks pretty complete for only $50, Wilmington, NC is too far away from me but maybe not for someone else here.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1343954465809376

 

[atch]

How many of you guys use the eye shields? I don't even have them on my grinders. I just use safety glasses.

I realize that if you're restoring a block for resale or as a project, then the correct eye shields add a lot to the value, but as a feature, not so much. Just curious.

I've had my block for 45 years. I can't remember ever having the eye shields down. Safety glasses or face shield for me.

 

[loganb]

Didn't realize these had a following until spending more time here!

Bought this off an estate of a engineer who retired from Argonne National Labs in Chicago-land, basement was a candy land of electrical engineering toys though nothing too modern, he even home built his own doorbell system on breadboard, mounted it behind glass with the circuit diagram milled into aluminum mounted above it!

For $200 I came home with his power tool table which included a Walker Turner benchtop drill press, Craftsman bandsaw, this grinder and a host of accessories, bits, vises etc. I really only wanted the drill press but they didn't want to separate so we worked out a deal to take it all.

Sent from The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Old Radar]

Didn't realize these had a following until spending more time here!

Bought this off an estate of a engineer who retired from Argonne National Labs in Chicago-land, basement was a candy land of electrical engineering toys though nothing too modern, he even home built his own doorbell system on breadboard, mounted it behind glass with the circuit diagram milled into aluminum mounted above it!

For $200 I came home with his power tool table which included a Walker Turner benchtop drill press, Craftsman bandsaw, this grinder and a host of accessories, bits, vises etc. I really only wanted the drill press but they didn't want to separate so we worked out a deal to take it all.

Not only is there a following, it's broken down into separate eras. You've got a very nice Pre-Block grinder--the forerunner of the Block grinders on this thread. See the Pre-Block thread Here.

Congrats and welcome to the brotherhood!

 

[ChefRex]

Didn't realize these had a following until spending more time here!

Bought this off an estate of a engineer who retired from Argonne National Labs in Chicago-land, basement was a candy land of electrical engineering toys though nothing too modern, he even home built his own doorbell system on breadboard, mounted it behind glass with the circuit diagram milled into aluminum mounted above it!

For $200 I came home with his power tool table which included a Walker Turner benchtop drill press, Craftsman bandsaw, this grinder and a host of accessories, bits, vises etc. I really only wanted the drill press but they didn't want to separate so we worked out a deal to take it all.

Sent from The Garage Journal mobile app

That looks very clean, what's the date code?
Did you post up your other goodies?