let's see your craftsman block grinders

[helmbelly]

Hello all, I bought one yesterday on Ebay for under $150 shipped. She was asking 130 and instantly accepted my offer of 100. I dont think she knew what she had as it was listed as "bench grinder" not a CM Block grinder which most ebay sellers know to do. Her other stuff was chachki home decorating stuff.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CRAFTSMAN-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

I have always been trying to find a 357. 1/3 HP this one caught me by surprise - I had never really seen the 1/2 or the funny look of it in comparison- BUT this one looks unused. From what I can find I'm guessing it 78 year or around that period.

I have quite a few grinders but I use them and this prevents me from changing wheels which Ive got so spoiled I think is a big pain! Plus I just really wanted one of these.

I doint even know if its 7" or 6. I hope 6, I have an 8 and 6 just fits my niche better. It seems like running a 6" wheel would be ok to do if the tool rests can adjust in that much. Well I'm excited

It's missing its wheel covers, not that I care much, prob hard things to find.

So mark me down (almost) in the CM Block Grenadier Club!

 

[exmaxima1]

That's a 6-inch grinder. Congrats

 

[helmbelly]

Glad to know that! Someone else said they thought it was a pretty late model - maybe 1978. It doesn't have that suite line look of the older 1/3 HP but if it's newer thats a good thing. Maybe less wear on the bearings.

 

[helmbelly]

Did i read somewhere that you can still buy the quench trays ?

 

[lafester]

Did i read somewhere that you can still buy the quench trays ?

You could, until about 3 years ago.
Pm me if you want my extra one, it is not new.

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[helmbelly]

lafeser- PM sent

 

[jimmyin3D]

Hi I was wondering is there a rubber cover piece or something that can cover up the quench tray slot? I thought I read that somewhere on here but can’t find it now.

 

[LesserSon]

Is covering the slot meant to be cosmetic or functional? If functional, a 1-1/2” length strip of vinyl tape seems adequate.

 

[drivesitfar]

i've never heard of or seen a rubber cover for a quench tray so I'm a bit curious if thats a real thing.

 

[FrankLee]

Hi I was wondering is there a rubber cover piece or something that can cover up the quench tray slot? I thought I read that somewhere on here but can’t find it now.

I believe that slot is approximately 1-7/32"L x 1/4"W. That looks very close to a drum brake adjustment hole plug, but I dunno.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Is covering the slot meant to be cosmetic or functional? If functional, a 1-1/2” length strip of vinyl tape seems adequate.

Cosmetic, mostly so **** doesn’t go inside. And yeah I’ll probably tape it.

i've never heard of or seen a rubber cover for a quench tray so I'm a bit curious if thats a real thing.

It’s for the slot, it’s punched out just want to cover it.

I believe that slot is approximately 1-7/32"L x 1/4"W. That looks very close to a drum brake adjustment hole plug, but I dunno.

Yeah I don’t know if it is either, I just thought someone had mentioned a rubber plug that fits in the opening.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I'm surprised someone hasn't started 3D printing quench trays yet (or even caps for the slot.)

 

[chenry318]

I picked this grinder up in a bundle deal with a bunch of woodworking tools (16" Planner, 2 hp dust collector, Gray and red craftsman 6 drawer top chest, and about 20 pipe clamps)

It worked out to about $20 for the grinder and stand.

I use this thing all the time and usually carry it just outside my shop door to keep the mess of grinding or wire wheeling outside.

 

[reynoj3]

Found this in a family members shop I was cleaning out.






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[drivesitfar]

Henry: nice pick up on the block with all other tools and machines you picked up. I also like to take my grinder outside if possible, but it might be easier on your back if you put some wheels on that stand. i'm not sure if you'll have to build a separate one for underneath your existing stand or I kinda recall those stands maybe having holes in them to put casters on?

Rey: those old 1/2 HP commercial blocks are nice. did it follow you home or did you just take a few pics of it?

 

[reynoj3]

Oh it followed me home amongst many other things. Also found a 3/4 craftsman grinder of more recent vintage.




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[chenry318]

Henry: nice pick up on the block with all other tools and machines you picked up. I also like to take my grinder outside if possible, but it might be easier on your back if you put some wheels on that stand. i'm not sure if you'll have to build a separate one for underneath your existing stand or I kinda recall those stands maybe having holes in them to put casters on?

Rey: those old 1/2 HP commercial blocks are nice. did it follow you home or did you just take a few pics of it?

It's not too heavy luckily. Plus it sits right next to the door so I only really have to move it about 6 feet to be outside the door. It does have holes in the stand I assume for bolting it down to the floor but I could use them for making a mobile stand. Maybe someday....

 

[LesserSon]

I kinda recall those stands maybe having holes in them to put casters on?

I’ve been thinking about making mine more mobile, but if I do, I will build a rolling base wider than the existing one and bolt the stand onto it. I will be sure to use locking casters, too. I see there are some which also lock the pivot, which I think would be a great advantage for stability.
The holes are described in the installation instructions as being for optionally bolting the stand to the floor. While it is physically possible to install casters in those holes (and I am sure it has been done), the resulting mobile stand is less stable. The center of gravity is higher by the diameter of the wheels, the wheels can roll (unless they lock), AND each caster can pivot under the outer edge of the base. You wind up with a top-heavy machine on a narrower base. The more horsepower, the more it will want to scoot away or even flip onto its back. That’s going to be more of a problem on a smooth hard surface (the very thing that makes wheels useful), but it would also be bad on an uneven surface.

 

[drivesitfar]

I agree that putting just casters under that original craftsman's footprint might have disastrous consequences. my thought would be to maybe bolt it to a larger piece of plywood with locking casters or if you wanted to keep a similar footprint a 1 or 2 inch thick piece of steel with some locking casters screwed into it.

as long as CH or anybody is ok with carrying it in and out why do the extra work is probably the best decision.

how many of you have rewired your 1/2 HP block to use 220v? I'm just going to use mine for wire wheeling so wondering if it might work better at 220v cause I have a plug handy.

any tips to rewiring from 110v to 220v or just follow the diagram inside the block cause I think I recall seeing one there?

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Another mobility option: I'm adding a pair of fixed casters to one side of my already-too-sketchy grinder stand, they'll only touch the ground when I tilt it slightly to move it. Might be a little tricky to fab up something for that cast stand, but I'm sure it's doable.

 

[PacificaVette]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=325057&highlight=craftsman+pedestal

There is already pretty good thread regarding adding casters to an existing stand.
It was an option with the original, but ball casters of that size do not seem to be available any more.

 

[IMCA38]

Got my 1 HP cleaned up and will get it mounted on one of my stands.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice! I'm also a fan of the workmate as a base for power bench tools.

What is the X/Y tool in the background? Mini mill?

 

[IMCA38]

Nice! I'm also a fan of the workmate as a base for power bench tools.

What is the X/Y tool in the background? Mini mill?

The workmate was just the work surface for doing the clean up.
Will be mounted on a dedicated stand. Probably one I made many years ago of a car rim filled with concrete and a heavy pipe.

The mill is a Craftsman badged mini mill. I’m pretty certain it was made by Sherline for Craftsman. Bought it cheap at an auction a few years ago to mess around with.

 

[LesserSon]

Record-high temperature of 72°F here today, so I took a shot at a hand-brushed recoat of my botched low-temp attenpt at Rustoleum Silver Hammered. Much more favorable conditions than 37°F three months ago. I still should have gotten some xylol to thin it a tad, but I didn’t.
It’s not perfect - I can see some brush-strokes and places where the paint obstinately formed blotches instead of dimples (especially below the lower right quarter of the label, where is reads “ON”). Also, two coats of this heavy-building paint are thicker than the original adhesive label. But I feel this was the right color, and it is the texture of my choice. If I had it to do over again, I’d have sprayed a metalic nontextured paint, which would have been either too dark or too light, but gone on thinner, quicker, and cured faster - this will be a week or more before I dare to reassemble.
While I was at it, I compared the new Hillman bushings to the OEM feet. The essential fit is fine, but the dimensions and shape are not identical. Also, the originals are softer than the replacements, so they compress more readily - the mounting instructions describe tightening the bolts until the bushings compress to a specific height, but I would suggest a less assertive approach with these firmer replacements, to avoid undue stress to the cast aluminum shell.

 

[helmbelly]

Earl

I was drilling my cast milling machine for DRO install- it starts hard but once it bites it goes like butter. That's with a hand drill, if you can get it in a press - you're home free.

 

[Old Radar]

- this will be a week or more before I dare to reassemble.

I bought an old Toastmaster convection oven at a yard sale last year that I keep in the garage and use for my painting projects. 2-3 hours at 200 degrees and the paint is fully cured. The cavity is large enough to do a 40 pound vise--a piece at a time. Plus, you can warm the big hunks of steel up a bit to help keep the paint from running when you spray.

 

[mtgrizzlymn69]

Only one I’m missing is the 1hp version. I’ll find one eventually


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[LesserSon]

I bought an old Toastmaster convection oven at a yard sale last year that I keep in the garage and use for my painting projects. 2-3 hours at 200 degrees and the paint is fully cured. The cavity is large enough to do a 40 pound vise--a piece at a time. Plus, you can warm the big hunks of steel up a bit to help keep the paint from running when you spray.

That’s a good tip for many items, but this particular part has an adhesive label that I don’t want curling, fading, etc. I’m going to be very gentle and patient with it.

 

[jimmyin3D]

What craftsman block grinders had the most power/amps? Was it the 1HP 7.0a, 1/2hp commercial 6.2a, and 3/4hp 6.0a?

 

[jimmyin3D]

And does anyone know if there were 1/2hp 6inch bench grinders ever made? I found some locally that have stickers that are pretty gone and can’t tell the model number on, but the wheel guards look like 6inch type.

 

[exmaxima1]

And does anyone know if there were 1/2hp 6inch bench grinders ever made? I found some locally that have stickers that are pretty gone and can’t tell the model number on, but the wheel guards look like 6inch type.

Yes, the non-commercial models (the versions with the stamped steel end covers) had 6-inch wheels. For example, model 397.19430

 

[1982fxr]

What's everybody buying for isolator mounts these days?

Bought some at home depot last time but I'd never find them again if they even still have them.

I could use at least an 8 pack I guess...

 

[Reversepolarity]

Picked this 1/2hp up yesterday. Wish they were all this clean when I find them.
I had bought an old 1/4hp a while back. Just for the industrial base it was mounted on.

Gave the base a paint job and mounted the 1/2hp on it.









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[lafester]

That is pretty amazing to find a 1/4 block on an hd stand.
Looks like the transitional cast aluminum version with iron tool rests which comes with the early 3/4 flat top models. Nice score there for sure, and I have done the same in the past.

 

[drivesitfar]

I probably own 5-7 block grinders and still hoping to find one with that heavy duty base.

Really surprised you found it under a 1/4 hp.

 

[Reversepolarity]

I probably own 5-7 block grinders and still hoping to find one with that heavy duty base.

Really surprised you found it under a 1/4 hp.

I was too.
It came up a couple months ago in Portland.
The 1/4hp is great for sharpening drill bits and tungsten. But I drove down there for the base.


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[Old Radar]

What's everybody buying for isolator mounts these days?

Bought some at home depot last time but I'd never find them again if they even still have them.

I could use at least an 8 pack I guess...

Here's Torqueman's post from last year:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8507919&postcount=12380

 

[Machinitect]

This thread is awesome. I don’t have a bench grinder in my shop. Now I am thinking I just have to have a 1HP on the HD base.

 

[lafester]

If you come across an industrial 1/2 hp like posted above, I would grab it while you wait for the 1 hp. They are a little more common but still great grinders. Just look for the big heavy duty switch on the front. Also if you find a 3/4 with the base those are even rarer then the 1hp.