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What to look for in a bench grinder

Vette10R

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I'm starting to look at bench grinders and want something with plenty of power that won't let me down. I have one at work that's a piece of junk, it's a Ryobi and almost every time I use it I can bring it to a stop with not much effort...

What are some key factors to consider when looking at them? What horsepower would I be satisfied with? I don't want to spend a fortune if I don't have to and I'm ok going the used route.

Thanks for any help. :beer:
 
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Norcal

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Older Rockwell / Delta, Wissota built, such as Snap On, Milwaukee, others, Doerr built Dayton, or Baldor, in other words, not ChiCom, or Asian built, the Rockwell grinders are great machines, have a couple, & some Baldors, including one badged as JC Penney.

What HP will depend on the intended use, check CL, eBay, & other sites.
 

Mustang1167

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All the newer store bought grinders seem to lack power. I just picked up 3/4 craftsman block grinder from an auction for $40. I can say that it does not lack power. Maybe look into local auction sites, I'd use google because there are a lot of small auctioneers that still have a small following and prices are great.
 

zkling

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What are your uses and what do you consider a "fortune" ?
 
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Vette10R

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It will be used for light use at my home garage but I like overkill for when I need it someday. I don't really want to spend a couple hundred on one and would like to find a deal if possible. I figure if I get educated here it will help my search on Craigslist etc...
 

Shiftless

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Isn't that a 6 inch, 1/3 HP model from back in the '80's?
If it starts up smoothly, doesn't rattle, and coasts down without too much noise I would definately pay $50 assuming all the guards and eye shields were in place.

I have a half horse Craftsman block grinder on the original cast iron stand dating from the late '70's that is plenty strong for my homeowner hobbyist needs. I paid more.

There is a thread on GJ devoted to Craftsman block grinders. Check it out. Some guy near you might have a spare to sell or trade.
 
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Vette10R

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How about this one...

FOR SALE: Vintage Craftsman Industrial-Rated 1/3 HP Grinder, Model 397.19580 $40.00
 
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Vette10R

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Isn't that a 6 inch, 1/3 HP model from back in the '80's?
If it starts up smoothly, doesn't rattle, and coasts down without too much noise I would definately pay $50 assuming all the guards and eye shields were in place.

I have a half horse Craftsman block grinder on the original cast iron stand dating from the late '70's that is plenty strong for my homeowner hobbyist needs. I paid more.

There is a thread on GJ devoted to Craftsman block grinders. Check it out. Some guy near you might have a spare to sell or trade.

No guards or eye shields on the blue point
 

Kaervak

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How about this one...

FOR SALE: Vintage Craftsman Industrial-Rated 1/3 HP Grinder, Model 397.19580 $40.00

I have one of those, it was my primary for a couple years until I got a 1/2HP block. It's plenty powerful for home owner stuff, you can't go wrong with it. My 1/3HP block now has grinding stones on it and my 1/2HP has wire wheels. Having two grinders, one with stones the other with wheels, is the way to go.
 

exmaxima1

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No guards or eye shields on the blue point


I had the same grinder until recently, and its a good grinder but lightweight. It will definitely need to be mounted down. Unless you only plan to only run wire wheels (and 1/3hp is marginal for that) you need guards. $50 is the max I'd pay without guards or eyeshields.
 

CNGsaves

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OP . . . try to bargain a little, but YES buy that Craftsman block grinder. You simply MUST read the GJ C-Man Block Grinder thread.

Baldor grinders have a distinctive shape and are excellent. Buy every one you can at estate and garage sales !!!

Wissota grinders also are distinctively different. Buy those too !! :D

This is indeed GJ . . . and you can't have too many block grinders or USA vises !! :beer:
 

Handyfarmer

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I have I am guessing five bench grinders of some type or the other, and hand held shop grinders, (and one buffer)

IMO if you stopping the grinder your not using the correct grinder wheel, or you are not using it correct,

I think most of mine are 1/3 hp and one is 1/2 hp,

If I have a heavy or a lot of removal I take a 4" or 7-9" hand held grinder to it,

the majority of the grinding I use the bench grinder for is to tool sharpen, and light removal or wire brushing,

If your welding I suggest a 4 or 5 inch hand held will do about 80% of your grinding needs in most welding situations, and if your in to hogging off metal then get the heavy duty 7 or 9" grinders by a name brand company,

my old grinder is a grinder that was sold by WW Granger, sold 50 years ago, and the others are imports, In my opinion there good for the money,

but when grinding let the wheel do its work, don't force it, it will most likely grind faster with lighter pressure with he proper grit wheel than forcing it and slowing down the machine,

if slowing them down then get a heaver larger grinder, ( I would guess 85%) of all 6" wheel grinders are 1/4 to 1/2 HP you most likely would have to step up to 8" wheel for more HP, the you may start to get in to 3/4 to 1 HP,

if you really want get a old head, belt driven and put any size of motor you want on it, if you a 3 hp 6" grinder then you can build one,

for 40 years I used one from a belt driven head I picked up at a junk yard, (now know as a land fill), and an old may tag washing machine motor, and the reason I am not using it any more is I need the room for some thing else and it was wall mounted, still have it just not using it, since I have 4 other bench type grinders in that shop,
 

NYBODYMAN

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I too am looking into a bench grinder. Only for light shop use but don't want a POS.
 

housedad

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I recently picked up the Jet 8" bench grinder. The thing has power to spare. Hard to bog down. it is even more powerful than my Baldor 8" and takes the same wheels. For about $200 on amazon with free shipping it is a heck of a deal. The Cast iron guards, while not as thick as a Baldor, are plenty strong and exhaust out the rear. A lot better than sheet metal. Also cast iron tool rests.
 
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Vette10R

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OP . . . try to bargain a little, but YES buy that Craftsman block grinder. You simply MUST read the GJ C-Man Block Grinder thread.

Baldor grinders have a distinctive shape and are excellent. Buy every one you can at estate and garage sales !!!

Wissota grinders also are distinctively different. Buy those too !! :D

This is indeed GJ . . . and you can't have too many block grinders or USA vises !! :beer:

So talk the guy down on the craftsman?

That Blue Point is at a pawn shop, I'm sure I could get them to come down from $50
 

CNGsaves

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^ ^ ^ All depends on condition . . . . . is the Craftsman 1/3 HP in pristine condition ??

If not, then by all means do some bargaining.

You have picture(s) that you can post ??
 

Jo Diesel

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1/3 Hp is ok for light grinding, [sharpening drill bits etc]. I would go at least 1/2 Hp in an 8"
I have a Chicom 3/4 hp at work and it is still a POS
 
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Vette10R

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1/3 Hp is ok for light grinding, [sharpening drill bits etc]. I would go at least 1/2 Hp in an 8"
I have a Chicom 3/4 hp at work and it is still a POS

The horsepower rating has been a concern of mine, I'd much rather go overkill and not need it.
 

LS6 Tommy

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How about this one...

FOR SALE: Vintage Craftsman Industrial-Rated 1/3 HP Grinder, Model 397.19580 $40.00


How much is shipping to 07834?


:lol_hitti

Seriously, I have wanted one of these since they came out. I should have bought it right off the bat. Originally this particular model was about $300.00. Now it's over $600.00. It's even more with the miter table for the disc grinder...




Tommy
 
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Norcal

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1/3 Hp is ok for light grinding, [sharpening drill bits etc]. I would go at least 1/2 Hp in an 8"
I have a Chicom 3/4 hp at work and it is still a POS

The ChiCom HP ratings are inflated like politicians promises.
 
OP
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Vette10R

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How much is shipping to 07834?


:lol_hitti

Seriously, I have wanted one of these since they came out. I should have bought it right off the bat. Originally this particular model was about $300.00. Now it's over $600.00. It's even more with the miter table for the disc grinder...




Tommy

Wow if you feel that strongly about it maybe I should run down and grab it before it's gone!!

What is it actually worth? I have pictures of it on page 1...
 
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Vette10R

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Ok I'm heading down to grab it once my boy wakes up from his nap. I'll post some pics
 

CNGsaves

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Ok I'm heading down to grab it once my boy wakes up from his nap. I'll post some pics

Good decision . . . those don't come along very often.

Be sure to "Look Around" his shop and see if he can "sweeten the pot" if he won't budge on the $40 he wants . . . .
. . . . he just might have a couple extra vises !! ;)
 
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Vette10R

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Ok I got her home! I tested it at the house and when I got it home and it seems to works perfectly. Starts up to full speed in about 1 second, runs smooth no wobbles or grinding sounds and when I shut it off it takes a couple minutes to stop.

It ended up being a little old lady selling off her husband's tools who passed away. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a little excited to see her. Unfortunately she has been selling off his things for awhile now and didn't have much left, also she was firm at $40 which I'm ok with.

Now if you guys could help me find an original light and piece of "shatter proof" glass that would be awesome! I'd love to give her a fresh coat of paint as well and bring her back to new! Any tips or tricks out there? Thanks guys!
 
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Vette10R

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I believe a YOU ****!!! is in order here...

Haha! Ummm thanks?

I don't know anything about these so it's just dumb luck and help from you guys that got it to me! What is this worth? Not that I want to sell it but curious...
 

CNGsaves

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Congrats OP (original poster) . . . . you've scored one leg of the GJ Tri-Fecta . . . . . . . a Craftsman block grinder like that fully restored is AWESOME. Take your time and fix that baby up nice. It will be something to pass on to your kids.

See the thread - - - - - - Let's see your Craftsman Block Grinders
Post up some pictures there of your score and link back to this thread. You'll also see some beautiful examples of fully restored C-Man block grinders.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794&highlight=Craftsman+block+grinder


Now you need to work on other 2 legs of the GJ Tri-Fecta . . .
. . . . . . Craftsman 100 or 150 drill press . . . or similar old school drill press
. . . . . . Wilton bullet vise or similar old school USA vise

Yes . . . you earned the accolades of . . . YOU **** !!!! :thumbup: . :beer:
 
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