Tell me about this bench grinder

[RedF]

I just picked this old girl up.

Obviously it's an Ingersoll Rand (I thought it was a Baldor in the picture I saw). It's quite complete. It's terribly heavy. The cast iron base is really short, as in the top of the grinder is about the height of my belt. It runs smooooooooth.

How old is it?

What's it worth? Not that I plan on selling it anytime soon.

What color should it be? There's green under the yellow. If it's actually supposed to be that pukey yellow, it's gonna get a different color.

What kind of hose should be used for the dust ports? I'd like to put something on there to keep my freshly painted walls clean, if only for a little while.

 

[srvctec]

I don't know anything about it but I want one! That thing looks like it's built like a tank! Nice score!

 

[drivesitfar]

RED: you might want to post it on the vintage grinder thread in the vintage section because it definitely qualifies. my guess is also made by Baldor and IR put their badge on it. somebody over there might know a bit more about IR grinders because it's the first one I've seen.

there are all sorts of ducting systems you can use with that grinder since the ports are already set up and some run off a shop vac. ask that question over on vintage and if I see you didn't get any responses to the ducting i'll look up a few links for you or PM me.

good luck and just letting you know I would have bought it too just for the stand and beefiness of it.

 

[Voi]

I see a lot of similarities to my 7" Baldor. What size wheels and what diameter arbor?

 

[RedF]

I don't know anything about it but I want one! That thing looks like it's built like a tank! Nice score!

It's burly. The stand has a little wobble, but I think I might build a pedestal to mount the pedestal on for a little more height, and with adjustable feet.

RED: you might want to post it on the vintage grinder thread in the vintage section because it definitely qualifies. my guess is also made by Baldor and IR put their badge on it. somebody over there might know a bit more about IR grinders because it's the first one I've seen.

there are all sorts of ducting systems you can use with that grinder since the ports are already set up and some run off a shop vac. ask that question over on vintage and if I see you didn't get any responses to the ducting i'll look up a few links for you or PM me.

good luck and just letting you know I would have bought it too just for the stand and beefiness of it.

I'll go hunt down the vintage grinder thread, and see what those guys have to say.

I see a lot of similarities to my 7" Baldor. What size wheels and what diameter arbor?

I haven't owned it long enough to pull the guards but when I do, I'll let you know.

 

[RedF]

The arbor is 5/8". Looks like it will accept a 7" x 1" wheel.

I just noticed that the surface of the casting is fairly rough. Not sure if that is typical of these old machines.

The only part that seems to be missing is one of the upper stone guards. No big deal. The safety shields are pretty busted up, but again, no big deal.

I forgot to mention, I picked it up for $60.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I don't know anything about it but I want one! That thing looks like it's built like a tank! Nice score!

I agree on all counts.

 

[RedF]

Okay, after looking at some pictures, I am quite satisfied it is a Baldor re-brand, with a few minor differences.

 

[rsanter]

It is old
It will likly outlive you

Bob

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Great score--you ****!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have the same one
It is a Baldor. Great grinder.

 

[RedF]

It is old
It will likly outlive you

Bob

I expect it will last nearly forever. These things just ooze quality.

Great score--you ****!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! Uh, I think...

I have the same one
It is a Baldor. Great grinder.

What color is yours? Could you post a picture of it?

 

[larryq]

Baldor vote here too. I have an IR grinder that's also a rebadged Baldor, not uncommon for them to have done that. Congratulations on the score.

 

[exmaxima1]

It looks like the logo plate and stickers were applied after it was painted "pukey" yellow. Original color was probably some shade of orange at one time.

 

[fatfillup]

Great score.

You asked for value. You mentioned the stand was wobbly. Is it just loose, uneven, floor not level, or just not heavy enough. I ask because the stand will affect value quite a bit.

That said, as is, it is easily worth $100 and maybe as much as $150 IMO

As to paint color, paint is any color you like, do it nicely and you will increase its value.

 

[Voi]

What color is yours? Could you post a picture of it?

I'm not the one you asked but here is my Baldor 7" grinder. Came out of local high school. It has different dust ports than yours and is lower RPM.

[EDIT] I'll post picture later. I need to shuffle my Google Photos into a shared folder, I think.

 

[pelletman]

Great grinder! High RPM, I like fast much better than the slower 1800 RPM stuff, but they both have their places in the shop. I think you could probably easily turn that into a buffer too

 

[srvctec]

I think you could probably easily turn that into a buffer too

That's exactly what I want one of these for if I could ever find one locally.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Safety yellow.

 

[sld961]

That's really close to my Baldor that I'm restoring. Same price I paid for mine, but I had to put bearings into mine. Nice grinder.

 

[pcmeiners]

"Not sure if that is typical of these old machines." Rough and heavy casting, very typical. True 1/2 hp, not the new age, "input" 1/2 hp. Have the same but with the Baldor plate.
Check the age of the run cap, replace if old (cheap on Ebay). check bearings, likely open bearings, regrease. If new bearings needed, you can replace with low friction shielded bearings. Age....fairly old units have the switch vertical, the horizontal switch unit, even older, manufactured in prehistoric times, used in man caves (literally) .

Newly manufacturer unit,....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Baldor-7-Be...702045?hash=item2cac71d41d:g:mPcAAOSwYmZXNe4U

 

[exmaxima1]

"Not sure if that is typical of these old machines." Rough and heavy casting, very typical. True 1/2 hp, not the new age, "input" 1/2 hp.

Umm, based on the label voltage (115) and amperage (3.4 amps), the horsepower on this grinder does appear to be "input" rating.

(115 x 3.4)/746 = .52 hp

 

[PBCampbell]

I'm scratching my head on that 1/2 h.p. on 115v at 3.4 amps too. Maybe some type of special high torque motor?

 

[exmaxima1]

I'm scratching my head on that 1/2 h.p. on 115v at 3.4 amps too. Maybe some type of special high torque motor?

I have a similar 7-inch Baldor 1/2hp grinder, and there's nothing "high torque" about it. It's a cap run design, and they don't have much start up power or extra torque but they do have good efficiency and high reliability. Mine has a nameplate amperage of over 4.5 amps, yet still rated at 1/2 hp @ 3600 revs

 

[Virgil Cain]

If that stand is a bit wobbly bolt it down like it was designed to be and I suspect that will be taken care of.

 

[1982fxr]

If it's not baldor an old wissota would be my only other guess

 

[pcmeiners]

You guys are correct , it is input hp , not the old output hp designation.... was not paying attention. I will do my penance before I go to bed.

 

[RedF]

So I have a good explanation of why the base has a bit of wobble. It was broken and welded.

I'm thinking about painting this grinder Chevrolet orange, along with my old Buffalo drill press, and a nice vintage vise (once I find one!). I may change my mind by the time I get around to it though...

I appreciate all the input thus far.

 

[cnc-me]

I think you could probably easily turn that into a buffer too

Yes, but it's not all that easy, unless you have a lathe.
The guard is also a bearing retainer.
You might be able to get a replacement part for a buffer to convert one over.