let's see your craftsman block grinders

[Rod N]

Guys over on Pelican thought I might like to share this with you all. Been in my garage for a good long time. My dad's old grinder.

lol It was me that gave you the link. You'll love this place!

 

[damon18]

Found this 1/2 hp 397.19340 on FB Marketplace. It was the old industrial cast iron stand that caught my attention. Can anyone recognize it?

This is the way things go, I had just started the restoration on a 397.19340 I already had, even ordered and received a new label from MattBlast for it, now I need another one!

Can't decide yet if I want to strip and repaint the stand or use it with the dozen layers of paint that have built up over time.

 

[AK Coot]

Nice find. I don’t recognize the stand but would guess Delta or Electrical machine corp. vintage of course. May also be an old vice stand, a big one lol. There were a lot of industrial stands made we don’t often see In our world.

 

[LesserSon]

Thanks, that was an interesting read. However, I still would like to find a way to decode the various model numbers.
Thanks again.

Try this:

Craftsman OEM List | VintageMachinery.org

 

[AK Coot]

Picked up another block grinder, nice condition. 6’’ 1/2 hp.

 

[Snip's]

Could use some help trying to identify this Craftsman grinder at a upcoming estate sale...
Unfortunately not a very good photo...

I'm guessing its model 397.....???

 

[lafester]

Found this 1/2 hp 397.19340 on FB Marketplace. It was the old industrial cast iron stand that caught my attention. Can anyone recognize it?

This is the way things go, I had just started the restoration on a 397.19340 I already had, even ordered and received a new label from MattBlast for it, now I need another one!

Can't decide yet if I want to strip and repaint the stand or use it with the dozen layers of paint that have built up over time.

Nice stand! I looked at a bunch of pics trying to identify a stand and I would say that could be a burr king, but a lot of companies used similar stands. See if you can find the original paint color and search through google pics. I hate painting, but I would probably do that one if it were mine.

 

[exmaxima1]

Could use some help trying to identify this Craftsman grinder at a upcoming estate sale...
Unfortunately not a very good photo...

I'm guessing its model 397.....???

Looks like a split-phase model as it has the single piece (non-articulated) tools rests and stamped steel end covers. Likely 1/3 or 1/2 hp.

 

[Snip's]

Looks like a split-phase model as it has the single piece (non-articulated) tools rests and stamped steel end covers. Likely 1/3 or 1/2 hp.

Thanks for the help exmaxima1...
The auction house just posted a clearer picture today.... Wish I could read the label...

 

[Luntz]

How desirable is this model, Craftsman Commercial?

 

[Old Radar]

Versus the model in your avatar, not very!

 

[Outlawmws]

But the real Q is why aren't both in your shop now?

 

[LesserSon]

Thanks for the help exmaxima1...
The auction house just posted a clearer picture today.... Wish I could read the label...

Tell yourself you’re buying it for the stand. Then the HP of the grinder is irrelevant.

 

[LesserSon]

How desirable is this model, Craftsman Commercial?

It’s 75% as desirable as a 1HP, 150% as desirable as a 1/2HP, 225% as desirable as a 1/3HP, and 300% as desirable as a 1/4HP.

 

[Outlawmws]

It’s 75% as desirable as a 1HP, 150% as desirable as a 1/2HP, 225% as desirable as a 1/3HP, and 300% as desirable as a 1/4HP.

 

[lafester]

How desirable is this model, Craftsman Commercial?

If it has the hd base and tool rests it is pretty desirable.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Last week, at an auction, I saw a 1952 (my guess) Cman 8" grinder. 1/3HP. Interesting because it's larger and heavier than my 1974 B&D 1HP, 3PH, 8" grinder (last picture).

 

[cmmark]

My latest. Torqueman suggested I share.

 

[torqueman2002]

Hi Mark and welcome to Block ownership!

After all the CM Block and pre-Block grinders shown on this thread, I am still amazed at the number of varieties that exist.

I've looked through my information on your model: 397.19521, and haven't had any hits. Also, a 1/2-HP, single voltage with both a capacitor and relay don't show up in my information. Admittedly, my info is very incomplete - most of the models I never recorded either the capacitor or the relay.

I'm hopeing the members here can help with the proper wiring layout. I'll look through my information again, maybe I can find something I've squirreled away that can help.

 

[cmmark]

I would appreciate any and all help. Thank you again.

 

[torqueman2002]

cmmark - member zanexx posted about your model 397.19521 on May 13, 2020. He was looking for a manual at that time and posted several pictures. Maybe they can help with how to wire-up yours.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...n-block-grinders.157794/page-310#post-8505477

 

[cmmark]

I followed his thread as far as it went and it was very helpful. In fact, thanks to you and him, I purchased the "finger washers" from McMaster Carr. In his img-6861 that you just linked, you can *almost* see how it is wired.

 

[torqueman2002]

I followed his thread as far as it went and it was very helpful. In fact, thanks to you and him, I purchased the "finger washers" from McMaster Carr. In his img-6861 that you just linked, you can *almost* see how it is wired.

cmmark:
I have reviewed several wiring diagrams for Blocks that use capacitors and relays, which are dual voltage.

Your 1/2-HP 115 Volt model 397.19521 is the only single voltage Block using a capacitor that I have come across.

So, the following wiring diagram is my best guesstimate at how it was wired.

I trust this helps.

Click to enlarge.

 

[cmmark]

Thank you so much for all your help. I hope to get it wired up for a test run soon.

 

[torqueman2002]

 

[jobione]

What an awesome forum! My grinder went out and someone down the road had one for sale for $60.00. I'm picking up a 397.19450 today and I didn't know this was somewhat of a unicorn grinder until I started looking for parts...

Does anyone know if a wheel cover for a 397.19440 will fit on a 397.19450? It looks like the 40 is a 7" and the 50 is 8", but wasn't sure if that was due to the hp rating or the actual wheel size.

 

[exmaxima1]

If your new grinder is complete with the heavy deluxe base you are getting a sweet deal for $60

 

[torqueman2002]

Does anyone know if a wheel cover for a 397.19440 will fit on a 397.19450?

I just checked by trying to put the 1/2-HP m-397.19440 on the 3/4-HP m-397.19450. They are different sizes.

Another way you can find out is to compare the part numbers, which are in the owners manual. Many of which are on the VintageMachinery website. ''Publication Reprints' --> http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3

 

[lafester]

I bet it came with a pedestal too! Where are the pics?

 

[jobione]

Well shoot... looks like I'll be posting these back up for sale. Picked em up on a whim from ebay for $60. Figure $120 in was still pretty good deal.
Oh well, I'm still happy it's definitely a mule.

 

[exmaxima1]

You can sell that deluxe base for $100 by itself on the auction site, and use the remaining grinder with wire wheels or buffing wheels. I bought a 3/4hp model for $15 with no guards and it's one of my most used tools.

 

[cmccuist1]

You can sell that deluxe base for $100 by itself on the auction site, and use the remaining grinder with wire wheels or buffing wheels. I bought a 3/4hp model for $15 with no guards and it's one of my most used tools.

Thanks for the help exmaxima1...
The auction house just posted a clearer picture today.... Wish I could read the label...

Just FYI, that Craftsman pedestal is worth $150 all day long - plus shipping if you want to go that way.
It seems as though the Craftsman pedestals have spiked in value lately. I'm going to start posting some of mine. I've got about 10 of them.

 

[exmaxima1]

I agree that the pedestals are selling for $150. I was referring to the heavy-duty deluxe base---with integral quench tray--- that is attached to the bottom of the grinder. It also has the nice outboard tool rests and adds alot of mass to the grinder. That base gets in the way if using just wire wheels, so it makes sense to sell it off. It might fetch more than $100, who knows.....

In any case, the op's grinder did not have the desirable Craftsman pedestal stand

 

[cmccuist1]

Here is one I picked up this past weekend. $50. It’s pretty rough, but complete.

 

[cmccuist1]

I agree that the pedestals are selling for $150. I was referring to the heavy-duty deluxe base---with integral quench tray--- that is attached to the bottom of the grinder.

Sorry maxima, I realized that, but by then it was too late. Lol

The base and the pedestal are different.

I like those deluxe bases. Heavy duty.

 

[Bro-Dozer]

@cmccuist1 Rust never sleeps !

 

[genog]

Kind of late to the game here...

I've been toying with the idea of replacing my 6" Taiwanese Delta....
And hey! Lookie here.
There's a Very Cool Craftsman on Craigslist.
It's in darn excellent condition and runs real smooth.
Stamped 1976 underneath on the base

Bought it from a really nice guy.

 

[Bro-Dozer]

@genog Nice find !

 

[FSS56]

Fellows I am looking for the right and left tool rests for a 397-19590 1/2HP grinder. I misplaced mine. If anyone has an extra pair they can get rid of please let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[erty67]

Anyone familiar with a 7" 3/4hp block? Bought it with a stand for $30. Couldn't pass it up as I've wanted a stand for years. Downside is it's in rough shape. Definitely at the least will need bearings. Anyone know what the model number may be? It's identical in size to my 397.19440.



Update: I think it's a 397.19350. Now what to do with it?? Decided on using the stand on my 1/3 for now.