let's see your craftsman block grinders

[exmaxima1]

I find that I must dress new wheels with a single-point diamond to get them to run true. You fix wobble first with tape shims and then fix the eccentricity with the diamond.

 

[Old Radar]

When I replaced my grind wheel, I bought a metal bushing from McMaster. Those plastic inserts are a POS. I also spent some time shimming the wheel so it runs true. I use a wire wheel on the other side and spent time balancing it since they are notoriously lopsided. I can leave a quarter on top of the housing with the grinder on and it is happy to sit there all day.

 

[Outlawmws]

If the bushings are good, I'd send it back - Its spinning at 3450 RPM...

 

[mikegt4]

Today I had another project to do on the lathe (a Weiler Matador, love that lathe) so I made a metal bushing. The wobble has been cut in half, the run-out is all but gone. What there is of it can be attributed to the remaining wobble. I'll try shimming the wheel this W/E.

 

[exmaxima1]

A rare Craftsman factory grinder/disc setup with original stand and sharpening attachment.

 

[Outlawmws]

Hmm. that Pic made me wonder if one could artificially reduce the speed of these for sharpening purposes, by reducing the wheel diameter?

So I measured the 1/3 HP I use for light wire wheeling, and nope; a long piece NEEDS a 6" wheel to clear the body.

BUT - what about the 3/4 and 1 HP units? (I've never even seen one in the wild) Whats the smallest wheel you could use and clear the body? 6" from 8"? - That's a 25% reduction.

 

[Old Radar]

What? No lathe attachment? Those marketing guys had no imagination!

Wide base or no, those legs just look too spindly. How does it feel in operation?

 

[exmaxima1]

Hmm. that Pic made me wonder if one could artificially reduce the speed of these for sharpening purposes, by reducing the wheel diameter?

So I measured the 1/3 HP I use for light wire wheeling, and nope; a long piece NEEDS a 6" wheel to clear the body.

BUT - what about the 3/4 and 1 HP units? (I've never even seen one in the wild) Whats the smallest wheel you could use and clear the body? 6" from 8"? - That's a 25% reduction.

I don't see what difference it would make. The bigger grinders still rotate at 3450 rpm, so with bigger wheels they simply have more SFPM (surface feet per minute). Whether you start with a 1/3hp grinder w/6" wheel or put one on a bigger grinder, it's still the same SFPM. Invest in a highly friable wheel like a 3M pink or white and you won't have issues with the faster speed.

 

[exmaxima1]

What? No lathe attachment? Those marketing guys had no imagination!

Wide base or no, those legs just look too spindly. How does it feel in operation?

Once all the hardware it tightened up they do the job fine. The wide base trades stability vs the small footprint of the heavier cast bases

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't see what difference it would make. The bigger grinders still rotate at 3450 rpm, so with bigger wheels they simply have more SFPM (surface feet per minute). Whether you start with a 1/3hp grinder w/6" wheel or put one on a bigger grinder, it's still the same SFPM. Invest in a highly friable wheel like a 3M pink or white and you won't have issues with the faster speed.

Yeah, I wasn't thinking it though. If a slower RPM it would work. Are the 8" still 3450?

 

[exmaxima1]

All the CM grinders are 2 pole, and spin at 3450 @ 60 hz regardless of wheel size

 

[metalmagpie]

I have a question about the original Craftsman quench tray, part no. 4971780. Sears no longer can source these. Is there an alternate source?

The thing is, I actually got one the other day. I'm considering putting it into CAD and having one 3D printed and then taking it to the aluminum foundry and have a batch cast. They wouldn't have the original gray anodizing, but they would fit like the original. But there's no way if there's no demand.

metalmagpie

 

[lafester]

Check to sold listings on Ebay...

 

[exmaxima1]

I have a question about the original Craftsman quench tray, part no. 5336944. Sears no longer can source these. Is there an alternate source?

The thing is, I actually got one the other day. I'm considering putting it into CAD and having one 3D printed and then taking it to the aluminum foundry and have a batch cast. They wouldn't have the original gray anodizing, but they would fit like the original. But there's no way if there's no demand.

metalmagpie

There's 2 sizes of the quench tray and both are widely used. It would make sense to produce both sizes. BTW, they are not anodized, they are painted the same color as the grinder housing.

 

[PacificaVette]

There's 2 sizes of the quench tray and both are widely used. It would make sense to produce both sizes. BTW, they are not anodized, they are painted the same color as the grinder housing.

I think that I bought the last two quench trays available from Sears. I ordered these about five years ago. I wanted three, but they were only able to provide two. After that, they have always shown up as, "Not Available".

 

[getbentMUSTARD]

This may not be the correct area to post this but I'm looking for the metal bottom plate(which is galvanized I believe and has the date stamp), A light shade and the outer end covers for a 397.19580.

Any help is appreciated guys!

Just seeing if anyone has any parts grinders or any of these items for sale?

Thanks!

 

[Bro-Dozer]

This looks like a good buy if you are in SoCal/Orange County, CA

Sears Craftsman 1/2 HP 6" bench dual grinder - tools - by owner - sale

Sears Craftsman 1/2 HP 6" bench dual grinder model 397.19340, design c3564 serial no. 713951405 115V 5.1A 60Hz 1 phase, 3580 idle RPM, 1/2" arbor includes a lamp (which needs a new bulb), protective...

orangecounty.craigslist.org

 

[exmaxima1]

Not sure if it really is a deal. It reads $40 in the title, but says $80 in the text.

 

[torqueman2002]

At $40 it is a very good deal for a complete and very good condition 115VAC Block.

I'd be a buyer around $50. My thought is the seller changed the price in the title.?

My bet is it won't last long. Act quick.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here is my latest find from today (Like I need another grinder...) My first CI Craftsman. Not long C, but closer...



1/3 HP earlier CI pre-block Craftsman Grinder

Mod: 115 7566 (Delco/Packard/Sunlight?)
Type CR 16-E
115 Volts (so before either 117 or 120V "stanfards")
5.5 Amps

 

[torqueman2002]

Well, I can't say it's as nice or as powerful as the Block Bro-Dozer posted; but, the price was right and I couldn't help myself!




The seller replied almost immediately to my eMail last night. He told me today that he hasn't used since his dad gave it to him more than 5 years ago.

I had planned to leave the money in an envelope in the front door like we agreed, but he was waiting to show me it ran nice and smooth. I included an extra $5, because he was trusting enough to say he's leave the Block on the porch, for me to pick up between 9AM and Noon.

 

[torqueman2002]

Outlawmws;

Nice heavy pre-Block. Well done.

My 1st Block was one like it.

 

[exmaxima1]

I think I'm going to be rich! Saw a "Rare Craftsman 1/2hp Industrial Block..." on the auction site starting at $750 ($995 BIN), and I have the exact same RARE model sitting in my garage. I even have the same sharpening attachment in the basement and I have the original quench tray (must be equally as rare). Wow, I can't wait to start counting those greenbacks...

“RARE”Craftsman 1/2 HP Industrial Block Bench Grinder,W/ 1st Made Tool Sharpener | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for “RARE”Craftsman 1/2 HP Industrial Block Bench Grinder,W/ 1st Made Tool Sharpener at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Old Radar]

Everyone on GJ who has one needs to send him a picture of theirs and offer to sell it to him for $500 so he can flip it and double his money!

 

[Bro-Dozer]

A rare Craftsman factory grinder/disc setup with original stand and sharpening attachment.

The sander attachment is the stuff and rare as hens teeth. I would love to find one of those and am currently on the look out. Great snag @exmaxima1

 

[LesserSon]

Before & after a mostly cosmetic makeover, intermittently documented upthread.

Beyond a total repaint, it needed a replacement gooseneck, which needed a new socket & wire. I used 16-14 AWG female connectors, instead of 22-18, because of an apparent nationwide shortage. One guy told me they were on the ship grounded in the Suez, which I thought was pretty funny. I will probably replace them (I left a little extra length) when I address the dry bearings. I have not been able to pull the cast aluminum housings off the shaft, no doubt due to corrosion. I’ll have to devise some way to get support inside, around the bearings.
It won’t get immediate heavy use anyway (I have three other grinders), but I wanted to get the pieces together before they got lost.

 

[exmaxima1]

Nice job, but I would be leery of using that aluminum plugged wheel. I've never seen any issues from them, but this forum claims alot of accidents from them

 

[11b30b4]

LesserSon, nice job. I am jealous of the pedestal stand. I have been looking all over for one.

 

[LesserSon]

Thanks, and thanks for the reminder, exmaxima1.
If I dress it, wouldn’t that remove the hazard? Is it the physical expansion of the oxide, or a chemical reaction that damages wheels?
I’m pretty sure these are the original wheels. Since it was so obviously exposed to wet conditions (and for all I know freezing temperatures) I’ve had them off, and they rang well.

Edit - read two articles.
One just warned against aluminum melting and accumulating on the wheel (looks like mine). I can see that it could then fly off at speed if not removed.
The other warns against explosive combustion (4500°!) if aluminum and iron dust mingle and ignite from friction or sparks, and advocates dedicated wheels to single substances.
Neither suggests direct structural damage to the wheel itself, but I welcome any guidance.
I actually did use the finer wheel to reprofile a broken dining knife without incident, shortly after I bought it.

 

[torqueman2002]

I'm no expert on the subject, Lesserson; but, I routinely replace the stones that come with the grinders I acquire.

Mostly because there's no way to know if the stones were exposed to moisture, which will degrade the binder in vitrified grinding stones.

New stones are available and affordable from Amazon, Graingers, ....

Nice job on the restore BTW.

 

[torqueman2002]

... I am jealous of the pedestal stand. I have been looking all over for one.

11b,

Too bad you're not closer to me (and Fraklee, who let me know about this), because there are two (2) stands @ $60 for both, in FB Marketplace in SE Michigan. Oh, there's a lathe included!
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/395242825210839/



Thanks Franklee (Jim)!

 

[11b30b4]

 

[threeputt]

Ok, finished the restore. This grinder was made in May 1964 . I love these old block grinders. New wheel on the way. I just can't take a chance on this wheel even though it passed the ring test.

Design 2372 Model 397 19590. I just couldn't let this old thing stay in the condition I found it in.

Old things deserve better Someone had wired the AC cord and wires were exposed on the inside with no ground wire connected.

I made the stand using an old harrow disk and pipe I had left over from when I ran this shop. I am still on the lookout for the original stand but no luck so far.

Thanks for all the tips from GJ. I couldn't have done it without the help from here.

 

[torqueman2002]

Great restore!

 

[vertguy]

One of my deluxe tool rest brackets was broken when I purchased a 3/4hp grinder and given their rarity (and price), I came up with a simple replacement design. I started with a 1/4 in x 1-1/4 in flat steel. Since I don't have a milling machine, I drilled several holes and finished the slot manually with a file. The pivot was from a 3/4 inch steel rod that was cut to length and drilled out by my brother (he has access to small lathe at work). Next up was my marginal mig welding skills, which was compounded by only having a Hobart 140. Far from perfect, but it seems to be solid and works as it should.

Always great to execute a fix for a vintage tool using other vintage tools. Which in this case it included the 3/4 HP Block grinder with a multi-tool disc/belt sander attachment, a CM 150 drill press and some USA Nicholson files

 

[torqueman2002]

Well done, and it won't break like the original!

 

[tijmt]

Hi everyone,

For years I have read posts here, but never posted. Thanks everyone for all of the great posts!

I could use some help with a new find. Today, I finally picked up a 1 HP Craftsman Block Grinder. (to join my older 1/3 hp and newer 1/2 hp) However, all of the model information has been worn away. Looking at vintage machinery, I am guessing it is around a 1983, but was hoping someone could provide some more info on the grinder. The wheel is a 8 x 1 x 5/8 if that helps.

Thanks for the help!

​

 

[RagTopTA]

Hi everyone,

For years I have read posts here, but never posted. Thanks everyone for all of the great posts!

I could use some help with a new find. Today, I finally picked up a 1 HP Craftsman Block Grinder. (to join my older 1/3 hp and newer 1/2 hp) However, all of the model information has been worn away. Looking at vintage machinery, I am guessing it is around a 1983, but was hoping someone could provide some more info on the grinder. The wheel is a 8 x 1 x 5/8 if that helps.

Thanks for the help!

​

mines an 83 model as well, you can check it out on this post : https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...n-block-grinders.157794/page-246#post-6617230

 

[tijmt]

mines an 83 model as well, you can check it out on this post : https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...n-block-grinders.157794/page-246#post-6617230

Thanks! They look very similar, but my label looks a bit different (more like the one on the instructions). Any idea if they might have had different labels around the same time?

 

[torqueman2002]

.... I finally picked up a 1 HP Craftsman Block Grinder. The wheel is a 8 x 1 x 5/8 if that helps.

Thanks for the help!

Here another style.

Mattblast may be able to make a replacement for you.

Also, some 1-HP Blocks sported a Sears Best label.