Today Craftsman Block Grinders, What's Next??

[flippin]

Despite the acknowledged superior performance of Baldor, Craftsman Block grinders have rightfully earned a cult status amongst the tool world. For a variety of well documented reasons "blocks" are being snapped up everywhere and have been coveted like a rare barn-find Hemi Cuda. From my perspective and the reasoning for this thread, 'blocks" represent exceptional value based on solid engineering, construction and materials. As well, they (as most Craftsman tools) were intended for the average Joe and priced accordingly. Subsequently, purchasing a block today may still be within the means of the intended market.

What amongst the garage/shop staples do you feel will be tomorrow's block grinder. In 20 years or so what will we be boasting about here on GJ after a successful CL purchase? In the interests of providing as much new information to those amongst us that haven't yet filled our shops with Bridgeports, or vintage Craftsman DP's, let's focus on currently available power tools. To further pressure your critical thinking, tools intended for the masses is also part of the criteria, again like the original block grinder. As an example specific Rigid portable tables saws seem to have a "following". Value, performance, durability amongst other qualities have been associated with this specific tool. Might we be searching for used versions of specific Rigid table saws in the future acknowledging that the newer ones are **** etc compared to those ones.

Hopefully this discussion will prove to be both informative and entertaining. Furthermore based on the GJ Braintrust we can get a headstart on finding some of these soon to be gems before the rest of the world.

In appreciation, always.
-P

 

[u118224]

The only thing that comes to mind is the USA made Mikwaukee Sawzalls and other corded tools or maybe even Japan made Makita corded tools. I think all this stuff is made in China now.

 

[flippin]

The only thing that comes to mind is the USA made Mikwaukee Sawzalls and other corded tools or maybe even Japan made Makita corded tools. I think all this stuff is made in China now.

I was also thinking of my Sawzalls and HoleShooter drills. Skill 77's have been on the list for a while.

Is there a well made bandsaw or drillpress that will prove to be very good value for the average tool hoarder?

 

[gungatim]

Black and Decker super service valve grinder machines. (I hope..spread the rumor please!)

all joking aside though, i'd like to see old aluminum bodied power tools, like craftsman, portercable, B&D, Powrkraft, etc. become collectible. they are built like tanks generally, and look really cool all polished up. When people get sick of the plastic throw-away powertools we all use today, they will hopefully revert back to the old silver beauty's our parents and grand parents used...

 

[zkling]

I will put my armor on and say... While the craftsman block grinders are nice, I don't think they are all that some make them cracked up to be. There are number of other grinders I would rather have to actualy use. Now if you just want to look at it that's fine, but to me no thanks. Don't even get me started on that testicle high, too short stand they produced for the block grinders.

There I said it.

In 20 years or so I'll buy an Epic for a few hundred bucks.

 

[flippin]

I will put my armor on and say... While the craftsman block grinders are nice, I don't think they are all that some make them cracked up to be. There are number of other grinders I would rather have to actualy use. Now if you just want to look at it that's fine, but to me no thanks. Don't even get me started on that testicle high, too short stand they produced for the block grinders.

There I said it.

Okay, perhaps my example of using the block grinder as a demonstration of good value is incorrect from your perspective. Hopefully my question can still be answered. What shop power tool do you think represents exceptional performance at an affordable price? If someone stole your dp, bandsaw, grinder, tablesaw etc what would you replace them with? There are many exceptional tools available at stratospheric prices. For example I have really enjoyed using a friend's Festool belt sander, but that was expected given the price. I have a Makita 9924DB that is incredible and I think would earn a spot in the tool hall of fame in the category of price/performance. I certainly would encourage any of my friends to purchase a used one if available. This really wasn't about debating the false or true aura associated with the block grinder, rather I am seeking out the exceptional hidden gems that represent fantastic performance at reasonable prices. If you were cash strapped one day, what "find" would make you smile knowing that you got a great vintage tool at a great price.

 

[zkling]

My 80's off shore horizontal bandsaw. I don't think I could live without it. If I had the space for a larger saw with rack, I'd still have a 4x6 unit around. It is just too dang handy to part with.

That IMHO is a game changing tool for so many people.

 

[PFSard]

I will put my armor on and say... While the craftsman block grinders are nice, I don't think they are all that some make them cracked up to be. There are number of other grinders I would rather have to actualy use. Now if you just want to look at it that's fine, but to me no thanks. Don't even get me started on that testicle high, too short stand they produced for the block grinders.

There I said it.

Blasphemy. LOL Just kidding. What would be the other grinders you would rather use?

 

[honcho]

I don't think collecting power tools is a good retirement fund strategy.

Collecting things is fun for some, profitable for a few and exasperating for others. At least with most tools, if they are in good shape, you can still use a tool for its intended (and many times unintended) purpose. As much as I like cool old stuff, I can them faster than I can increase places to store / display / use the items I've collected. I try to limit myself to things I'll actually use (but I'm mostly unsuccessfully in controlling my "disease").

 

[shortykorte]

Since most "power" tools are cordless I would say most of today's tools will be obsolete. My guess would be higher end corded tool with minimal plastic and serviceable parts such as bushings and brushes.

 

[shanny19]

I agree that technology will make it tough to predict the block grinder of 2080, something old but well built and still very useful.

It's funner for me to think about the anvil of 2080. What is commonplace and useful today that will be sought after, and relatively rare??

 

[Packard V8]

It's funner for me to think about the anvil of 2080. What is commonplace and useful today that will be sought after, and relatively rare??

From my experience, forged anvils were never commonplace. They have always been expensive, rare and a workplace consumable. That's why they're sought after today.

The sad fact is many high quality homeowner machines are going to scrap. Over the years, I've been able to upgrade my machinery by buying, fixing up and re-selling. That's no longer a viable strategy. I recently cleaned out the machinery queue with a large, well-advertised garage sale. For two days, there were no takers for a Delta wood lathe, drill press, band saw, three Craftsman table saws and radial arm saw. At the end of the sale, an African came by and took it all to ship back to Africa to start a woodworking business employing women. "We got plenty women and plenty wood."

Bottom line - all of those machines were better made and for sale at less than what's in the big box stores. Literally no one locally was interested.

I was by the scrap yard salvage store and while there picked up a complete, working Craftsman 150 DP for my son. It had been scrapped for $20 and they sold it for $50.

With the way it's going, the good stuff is going to be thin on the ground by 2080.

jack vines

 

[shanny19]

From my experience, forged anvils were never commonplace.

jack vines

Commonplace might have been a poor word choice. Familiar might be better. There was a time when every kid knew what an anvil was. Today they don't, but there has to be something familiar to them that folks in 2080 who appreciate well built things will be lusting after.

I grew up in the 70s an hour from your listed location. My Grandpa's farm had an anvil. The school bus garage that my grandpa ran had an anvil. My high school shop (different district) had an anvil. When I entered the workforce in the 80s, the fire station workshop had an anvil.

 

[1982fxr]

imho a block grinder smokes every modern imported grinder of similar ratings that I've come across. I'm talking only in regards to how much power it puts behind the wire wheel when being pushed. No better value out there for the wire wheelin' fellas who push it hard.

 

[flippin]

Some of the responses unfortunately reminded me that we live in a disposable world and that the ability to "refurbish" today's machines tomorrow maybe limited for a lack of parts or unserviceable designs. I also want to clarify that the objective of this thread wasn't to predict what may become a collectible. Rather what tools will serve the average Joe in a working environment who really doesn't care about the "holy grail" collectible. He's looking for no-nonsense durable, affordable performance.