Milwaukee Bench Grinder

[SK Guy]

Does anyone know the original color of Milwaukee bench grinders? Were they always red? I have an old one that someone painted green, but as I sand it I don't see any red paint.It's pretty old and heavy with lighted eye shields.

 

[fflintstone]

I have only seen one in the flesh and it was red.

 

[frankush]

I have one I bought new in the early 90's and it's red.

 

[hemislave]

I have one, don't know the date of manufacture rite off but it's dark gray winkle finish.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Were they always red? I have an old one that someone painted green, but as I sand it I don't see any red paint.It's pretty old and heavy with lighted eye shields.

I think they were always red. Maybe whoever painted it green did a good prep job and removed the original paint.

If the lighted eye shields are clamped around a square tilting post attached to the top of the wheel guard by two screws, they're an option Milwaukee offered in the 50s and 60s.

 

[SK Guy]

Well I will finish sanding the grinder tomorrow and see what I come up with. I just took it all apart today. Yes it does have the lighted shields that clamp on to square posts.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Yes it does have the lighted shields that clamp on to square posts.

OK then, it's been a while since I've seen a Milwaukee grinder that old, but IIRC, the base, body, and wheel guards were red; the wheel guard end covers were black, and the eye shield frames and mounting bases were satin black. The frames and mounting bases may also just be the natural silver color of the die-castings; they were offered both ways depending on actual vintage.

 

[pcmeiners]

Red or the gray Baldor uses is not the best color, your better off with a darker color, like a dark grey which hides scuffs/maring/use abrasions. What ever color you use, if you prime it, tint the primer close to the top coat.

 

[SK Guy]

Well after sanding it all down. It is still difficult to tell exactly what color it was. Taking the cast iron end housings off revealed a red or at least a red oxide type primer or paint. Underneath the base, inside where the wiring is, also had the same reddish color. Now the end caps did appear to be black, under the yellow and then green paint. So I am going with "WWII Jeep" on this one and painting it red on the body and black on the end caps. Thanks...will post pic when complete

Info: Milwaukee Model V-121
Type KN, Frame B56S, Serial# 95-1483-ER-B

 

[softailgarage]

OK then, it's been a while since I've seen a Milwaukee grinder that old, but IIRC, the base, body, and wheel guards were red; the wheel guard end covers were black, and the eye shield frames and mounting bases were satin black. The frames and mounting bases may also just be the natural silver color of the die-castings; they were offered both ways depending on actual vintage.

That describes one I used in the late 70's...... BTW

 

[SK Guy]

Well I'm not sure if I uploaded this right.


If anyone knows the age of this 7" V-121 grinder...let me know.

Thanks

 

[WWIIjeep]

If anyone knows the age of this 7" V-121 grinder...let me know.

Probably early '60s.

Nice restoration.

 

[SK Guy]

Thanks... the paint came out ok, new wiring, the eye-shields needed some light sanding and then took some fine steel wool to them. Wish I knew how to make the name plate look better, but I didn't want to ruin it.

 

[64Trvlr]

You did a nice job, looks great.

I have 2 Milwaukee bench grinders. I got them in the mid-late 90's, they're red. I can post a pic the first of the week if you're interested.

 

[SK Guy]

Sure I love seeing these old Milwaukee grinders. Post em...

 

[Voi]

Well I will finish sanding the grinder tomorrow and see what I come up with. I just took it all apart today. Yes it does have the lighted shields that clamp on to square posts.

Does or did it say anything on the eye shields? I saw an old 6" Milwaukee with what I remember as being identical eye shields and they said either said Walker Turner or Miller Falls on them.

I really liked the post design of those eye shields. I should have bought that grinder for the stand and eye shields alone but it was three phase and I just couldn't see running a VFD for a 6" grinder. Of course I've passed on four 6" grinders this winter and regret each and every one. Time to buy something is when you see it.

By the way, I'm pretty sure the one I saw was a well worn red color.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Does or did it say anything on the eye shields? I saw an old 6" Milwaukee with what I remember as being identical eye shields and they said either said Walker Turner or Miller Falls on them.

The ones you saw could have said either Walker-Turner or Millers Falls, or a variety of other names, including Blue-Point, Milwaukee, Skil and Stanley.

They were available as optional equipment for all of the aforementioned brands from the 1940s to the 1970s.

Here's a Stanley NOS one:

 

[SK Guy]

Here are a couple of pics of the eye-shields on my grinder. I really like these shields, they are nice and big and have two lights in each one.

 

[Voi]

WWIIJeep and SKGuy - that's what I remember them looking like. Interesting to see a Miller Falls eye guard on a Milwaukee grinder. I assumed it was an add on but the way they bolted on made them look stock. Now I know why.