Thoughts on old Craftsman grinder

[Climb On!]

Gang,

If you don't mind, take a look at this Craftsman grinder I spotted on craigslist. I'm in the market for one and would rather not buy a junker. Anything I should look for?

Chuck

 

[rsanter]

my dad has had one like that for years
works good

bob

 

[Brad54]

I've got two Craftsman grinders... one is 20 years old, the other is at least twice that. Both get used constantly. The newer one has a Multitool attachment on it, and is used almost every time I'm in the shop. The old one has wire wheels on it, and gets used almost as much.

I wouldn't hesitate to get that one you're looking at.

-Brad

 

[Climb On!]

Thanks gang...now if I can just get the seller to answer my emails I'll go take a look at it!

 

[Bull]

My understanding is that the reason why those old square bodied Craftsman units are so awesome is that the copper for the field windings are like thick spaghetti, whereas the modern, cheap equivalents use strands of copper gossamer for the windings.

 

[Climb On!]

Interesting, thanks.

I finally got a reply, I'll be taking a look at it tomorrow!

 

[barney rubble]

We got one at work like that. It was in the transmission shop next door that we bought and tore down to add onto the store. Its a damn nice piece. A lot better than any of that Jap made **** we sell.

 

[Climb On!]

I got it!!

 

[r07d24]

I like those old Craftsman grinders...there is one for sale near me.
How much did you give for yours?

 

[Packard V8]

After Craftsman discontinued that style, a very similar unit was offered by Foley/Belsaw. The chief advantage is the flat front allows a long workpiece to be held horizontally in front of the wheels without interference from the motor body.

jack vines

 

[mrholeshot]

Very cool. I'd be all over that if the price was right. Nice grinders

 

[Climb On!]

I'm excited about it. Its in great shape...motor runs smooth, rubber feet are in tack, glass is perfect condition, very minimal surface rust. It will eventually need a new plug wired, but that's it. I'll probably clean it and hit it with a new coat of paint to match my other c'man tools...Rustoleum burgundy and hammered gold.

 

[pipsters]

One exactly like that was for sale in my area, re-listed constantly. Guy wanted $65 for it. I felt it was around $25 too high. Not the biggest deal in the world to spend the extra cash, but more principle. He ended up keeping it, as a "spare" I guess. Looked like a nice grinder, would loved to have taken it home, but no way was I gonna pay $65 for a 30 year old grinder.

 

[2oolhound]

After being out of mechanic-ing for 25 years I started gearing up with tools a few years ago now, one of the 1st things I picked up was a 6"X 1/2HP and an 8" X 3/4 HP grinder that were mounted on a dumptruck rear end houseing and brake drum for a stand. I paid $80.00 and drove about 80 miles return for them and since I met the guy at his storage place there was no way for me to test them. Turned out the 8" had fried bearings and the new ones cost me over $30.00. While I was buying the bearings I noticed they were selling brand new 8" grinders on sale for $49.95. I felt a little dumb because when I last bought tools 25 years earlier grinders were expensive.

Any how, since I had it apart I decided to strip the paint off the ends which I discovered were aluminum so I buffed them up and painted the center and base. Here's a pic of what I ended up with.