Valley Electric Co. Grinder stand

[PacificaVette]

I bought this grinder stand at a garage sale yesterday. It's a bit rusty, but it should clean up nicely. It weighs approx. 50 pounds, so it should be sturdy and heavy enough to mount a Craftsman block grinder.

I started researching the manufacturer after I got it home. There doesn't seem to be much information out there about Valley Electric Co. Vintage Machinery.org had a short writeup about the company's history, along with a catalog image of grinders, one of which appears to be on a stand exactly like mine.
I haven't decided what to do about the ???wiring access??? on the side of the grinder. The catalog picture shows what looks like a large switch mounted there, but I can't imagine why it is so large. Any ideas?

 

[slowtwitch73]

Nice.. Ive got a soft spot for vintage stands.

 

[Provincial]

In those days, switches were often pretty large. With modern insulation, they have become much smaller.

Compare your switch mounting area to standard electrical boxes at the building supply store. I suspect it follows a standard design, probably about 4 inches in diameter.

 

[PacificaVette]

In those days, switches were often pretty large. With modern insulation, they have become much smaller.

Compare your switch mounting area to standard electrical boxes at the building supply store. I suspect it follows a standard design, probably about 4 inches in diameter.

You're right---the switch mounting area is about 4 inches in diameter. I was just wondering what that big boxy thing in the catalog scan could be. It seems like it has to be more than just a switch. I could understand having a cabinet for grinding supplies and tools mounted on the stand, but would you want the switch in there, too?

 

[Provincial]

The catalog illustration appears to show some sort of drum switch. Notice the crank handle on the right side. In that era, many switches were pretty crude, and a high-amperage switch had to be quite large. The "drum" may just be clearance for the swing of large blades of a knife switch.

 

[Hooterville]

I too have a soft spot for vintage stands (and grinders) The Valley Electric is one of my favorites. Mine is #312 (not sure of the difference). The reason it is one of my favorites is the history of the best vintage motors (Baldor, Doerr, and Leeson Electric) can all be linked back to Valley Electric:

History:
1. Valley Electric Co. started in 1919, and in 1920 an employee of Valley Electric, Edwin Ballman (Electrical Engineer), joined forces with his friend Emil Doerr (Plant Supervisor) and they founded Baldor Electric Co. (combined names Ballman + Doerr = Baldor)

2. Later ...Doerr's son Lee, started Doerr Electric

3. Even Later ...Lee Doerr had 2? sons, which formed Leeson Electric (Leeson derived from Lee's sons)

 

[Hooterville]

Needless to say, that stand is a keeper!