let's see your craftsman block grinders

[javie]

Wow! You weren't kidding, that is a beauty!

Now the search is on for a matching stand. I have a Grizzly, but it seems a shame to mount this blue-gray beast on a green Grizzly stand...

 

[cmccuist1]

I'm visiting my daughter and her family in OKC and while here, I almost hit for the "Block Grinder Cycle"! A 1/2 HP, a 3/4 HP and a 1 HP all in one weekend. I gave $40 for the 1/2, $75 for the 3/4 and $80 for the 1 HP. Not super, you **** deals, but the 1/2 and 3/4 were complete and the 3/4 had the good Craftsman stand.

The 1 HP is an industrial, 257.xxxxxx. All run smooth and the light bulb on the 3/4 even lights up.

 

[Old Radar]

Hope you drove--otherwise carry-on is gonna be ugly!

 

[cmccuist1]

Yea, we flew Southwest. I'll probably go to the Goodwill and pick up another suitcase. It's gonna be close on weight.

 

[lafester]

I disagree, you definitely ****. You could almost pay for all three by parting out the 1/2 hp.

 

[cmccuist1]

These block grinders are a sickness. And the only cure is - more block grinders!!

 

[Farleyfan]

Amen brother !

 

[javie]

These block grinders are a sickness. And the only cure is - more block grinders!!

"I got a fevah, and the only prescription is more block grinder"...famed director Bruce Dickinson, yes, the Bruce Dickinson...

 

[cmccuist1]

Yea, Bruce puts his pants on one leg at a time, but once his pants are on, he makes gold records!

Bruce probably has a 1 horse grinder. On a stand. With the original quench tray. And clear eye guards. And new bearings.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I am finally getting around to putting this bench grinder back together. When I tighten up the bolts that hold the side together right enough that the cover band fits correctly the motor won't spin.

Here are some pictures. Am I missing something?

Thank you

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[exmaxima1]

The spring washer is reversed. It shouldn’t contact the inner race of the bearing

 

[Chadwilliam1]

The spring washer is reversed. It shouldn’t contact the inner race of the bearing

Thank you

 

[Bobioz1]

Exmaxima gave good advice. Also, while the two halves are still “loose” set the grinder on the flattest spot you can find and tighten the bolts slowly and evenly.

 

[Evtron]

Long time lurker, first post!

Picked up a flat top yesterday. Mechanically it's in great shape, just needs paint, new wheels, and eye protectors. Anyone have an idea what model number this is? Based on a few image searches I came up with 397.19391, but I'm not sure.

 

[torqueman2002]

Here's a pic. of a 1/3-HP m-397.19391.

I don't see a serial number like your label.

I looked through my 'library' of label images, but could not find a match.

I did have a 1/2-HP with a very faded label like yours, though. Sears must have used a inferior supplier for some of these flat top Block.

Try member MattBlast, he has done miracles with reproduction labels.

 

[lafester]

I have this pic tucked away. Maybe the serial number was on earlier blocks.
Is there a date on the bottom?

View media item 99468

 

[Evtron]

Thanks for your help guys. No date stamp on the bottom unfortunately. I sent Matt and email, hopefully he can help out.

torqueman, is that your grinder?

 

[pauleyman]

I'm visiting my daughter and her family in OKC and while here, I almost hit for the "Block Grinder Cycle"! A 1/2 HP, a 3/4 HP and a 1 HP all in one weekend. I gave $40 for the 1/2, $75 for the 3/4 and $80 for the 1 HP. Not super, you **** deals, but the 1/2 and 3/4 were complete and the 3/4 had the good Craftsman stand.

The 1 HP is an industrial, 257.xxxxxx. All run smooth and the light bulb on the 3/4 even lights up.

Wow where did you get those? I'm in OKC and I missed them. I picked up a 1/2 hp at an estate sale a few months ago.

 

[torqueman2002]

Thanks for your help guys. No date stamp on the bottom unfortunately. I sent Matt and email, hopefully he can help out.

torqueman, is that your grinder?

You are welcome.

That is a great looking Block, wish I could call it mine.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I picked this up packaged with a beat up toolbox over the weekend, and sold the toolbox for the same as I paid for both, so the grinder was essentially a freebie. The dual toggle layout was somebody's hack to bypass a sketchy relay: click on the left switch and the run winding is engaged, hit the momentary toggle on the right, and the start winding gets the wheels spinning. It works, but I'll keep my eyes peeled for a start relay.

 

[lafester]

Wow that is interesting! Looks pretty nice inside otherwise. I bet I have a relay laying around here somewhere.

I picked this up packaged with a beat up toolbox over the weekend, and sold the toolbox for the same as I paid for both, so the grinder was essentially a freebie. The dual toggle layout was somebody's hack to bypass a sketchy relay: click on the left switch and the run winding is engaged, hit the momentary toggle on the right, and the start winding gets the wheels spinning. It works, but I'll keep my eyes peeled for a start relay.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Wow that is interesting! Looks pretty nice inside otherwise. I bet I have a relay laying around here somewhere.

Yeah, I think it will clean up pretty nicely and it runs strong. I'd definitely be interested if you can find a relay, thanks!

 

[torqueman2002]

That sure is interesting and clever. I've never seen that before. The PO knew something about these grinders.

I wonder what happened to the, usually bullet proof, relay?

 

[torqueman2002]

Here's some pics. of that model that might help.

 

[threeputt]

Mine is old. I can't make out the model. Its the 1/2 hp commercial. Been in my shop a long time. Maybe early 70's. Could have be late 60's.

 

[exmaxima1]

Mine is old. I can't make out the model. Its the 1/2 hp commercial. Been in my shop a long time. Maybe early 70's. Could have be late 60's.

With that shape and the metal-framed eyeshields, I vote mid-60's

 

[threeputt]

With that shape and the metal-framed eyeshields, I vote mid-60's

You could be right. Best I remember it was in the shop when I went to work there full time in December 1970. I was off in the military for four years prior to 1970 and before that things are a blank.

I never remember any other grinder but this one. I first thought 60's but was not really sure.
It still works but most of the time it hums when it is first turned on. Maybe I will tear into it and replace the capacitor before I burn it up.

I got a cheap HF I could use until I rebuild this one.

I use this thing everyday now and don't want to get rid of this vintage block grinder.

 

[torqueman2002]

I have pics. of one round top Block with that style badge, a m-397.19590.

It shows the same current/amp ratings as yours.

I hope this helps.

I'll check the Sears catalog to verify they were available then, to me it looks like 1970 or 1978.
UPDATE: They were listed in the 1970 tool catalog, but not in the 1978 catalog.

 

[threeputt]

I have pics. of one round top Block with that style badge, a m-397.19590.

It shows the same current/amp ratings as yours.

I hope this helps.

I'll check the Sears catalog to verify they were available then, to me it looks like 1970 or 1978.
UPDATE: They were listed in the 1970 tool catalog, but not in the 1978 catalog.

Yes, perfect. Yours looks great. Mine was in the shop in 1970. I do remember that so yours is the same.
Mine has been worked hard over the years. My family grew up in this shop and we all used it a lot. Mine has also been slow to start. Hum sound and then starts. Don't do it every time. I thought I had fixed it when I give it a good cleaning. It lasted a few days and back doing it again. I think the capacitor is shot. Now to find one. Thanks

 

[lafester]

Those were not made past 1970 or so, then they started adding plastic switches, lamps and eye shields for a couple years before moving on to the flat top.

 

[threeputt]

Those were not made past 1970 or so, then they started adding plastic switches, lamps and eye shields for a couple years before moving on to the flat top.

Thanks. This could have been one of the first things that was bought when this shop was built or soon after. My dad and brother started working in this shop in December of 1961. I think these were made around 1963

 

[exmaxima1]

Those were not made past 1970 or so, then they started adding plastic switches, lamps and eye shields for a couple years before moving on to the flat top.

When did they also change the wheel covers to the "Princess Leia Hairbuns" style?

 

[torqueman2002]

When did they also change the wheel covers to the "Princess Leia Hairbuns" style?

Sears 1974-75 tool catalog shows "Princess Leia Hairbuns" style for 3/4 & 1/2-HP Blocks.

 

[kenc184]

Just had the switch die on my 1/2HP block. I got this replacement from McMaster, cost about $14, it's motor rated, 16A. Had to file a tad vertically, then needed a small square of sheet metal behind to fill the 1/8" gap horizontally. It's a M UCH nicer feeling switch than that God awful OEM thing.

 

[torqueman2002]

Just had the switch die on my 1/2HP block. I got this replacement from McMaster, cost about $14, it's motor rated, 16A. Had to file a tad vertically, then needed a small square of sheet metal behind to fill the 1/8" gap horizontally. It's a M UCH nicer feeling switch than that God awful OEM thing.

Good info.

Take a look at this thread; maybe, you'd consider posting your 'fix' there also.

'CM Block Grinder power switch - replacements' -->
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310418

 

[kenc184]

Good info.

Take a look at this thread; maybe, you'd consider posting your 'fix' there also.

'CM Block Grinder power switch - replacements' -->
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310418

Will do. And added part number in that thread.

 

[bagged89s10]

Well even though I’ve been liquidating a lot of my grinders, I had to buy this one. 1HP Sears best with original manual.

I’ve had and sold a few of these but now I’m wondering if these are considered a craftsman commercial grinder or not?

My 3/4Hp has the craftsman commercial crown logo on it. I do love the crown top logo labels!

The manual has a date of 1/78. The last picture is my 3/4HP block in front of 2 others.

 

[Cruzan80]

From what I remember, all Commercial ones were dual voltage, and had back exhausts.

 

[LesserSon]

Looks to me like it ticks both those boxes.
Mechanically, it may be identical to “commercial” grinders, but since that is a marketing designation (no regs prohibiting its use in non-commercial applications) it seems essentially meaningless. If Sears stopped including it on the label, then there is an end-date for Sears Commercial grinders.

 

[bagged89s10]

Looks to me like it ticks both those boxes.
Mechanically, it may be identical to “commercial” grinders, but since that is a marketing designation (no regs prohibiting its use in non-commercial applications) it seems essentially meaningless. If Sears stopped including it on the label, then there is an end-date for Sears Commercial grinders.

Maybe they ended labeling them commercial with the end of the crown top logo era.