Garage Hangout

Tools And The Shop => Machine Shop => Topic started by: goodfellow on Jan 18, 2025, 01:31 PM

Title: Another Vintage Craftsman Block Motor Grinder - Older Model
Post by: goodfellow on Jan 18, 2025, 01:31 PM
Not perfect, but for $20 it was worth it --

Split phase 1/3 HP Craftsman Industrial version. Needs some work, but the bearings are nice and smooth and the housing is clean. It needs a few parts such as the right side wheel guard and wheel guard cover, as well as the wheel guard end plate. Also the eye shield.

I can make most of these sheet metal parts, except for the cast wheel guard housing. If anyone has one for sale please PM me.

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1381Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1382Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1383Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1384Medium.jpg)

I will use this machine as a dedicated tungsten grinder for my Miller TIG machine.
Title: Re: Another Vintage Craftsman Block Motor Grinder - Older Model
Post by: goodfellow on Jan 18, 2025, 01:31 PM
Had a few hours to kill, so I pretty much tore into it hard. Cleaned, sanded, painted the pieces this afternoon and they are drying up as I'm typing this. It'll be ready for reassembly tomorrow morning.

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1387Medium.jpg)

Built in 1969 --

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1388Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1389Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1390Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1391Medium.jpg)

Everything disassembled --

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1392Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1393Medium.jpg)

Previous owner used the wheel to grind on wood  -- pretty much ruined it with embedded pitch and tar

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1394Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1395Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1396Medium.jpg)

Everything nicely painted and drying --

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1397Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1398Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1400Medium.jpg)

I used copper hammered paint on the center shroud -- I like that color.

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1401Medium.jpg)

Finished it up this morning. This is not a restore, but just a cleaning, sanding and respray job. The bearings and other components worked flawlessly, so no need to dig into the machine to any great detail.

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1402Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman_Bench_Grinder/PICT1404Medium.jpg)


Onward --
Title: Re: Another Vintage Craftsman Block Motor Grinder - Older Model
Post by: Uncle Buck on Aug 20, 2025, 08:25 PM
Ya know there are tons of parts for those on evil bay right?
Title: Re: Another Vintage Craftsman Block Motor Grinder - Older Model
Post by: goodfellow on Aug 22, 2025, 07:34 AM
It's an old post Herb. That old grinder has been doing it's job in the shop for almost 15 years now, and it keeps on going like the day it was made.

Truly remarkable quality.
Title: Re: Another Vintage Craftsman Block Motor Grinder - Older Model
Post by: 1965 Comet Caliente on Aug 23, 2025, 08:02 PM
Can't beat those old Craftsman grinders.
Title: Re: Another Vintage Craftsman Block Motor Grinder - Older Model
Post by: Uncle Buck on Aug 27, 2025, 08:49 PM
I have it's twin and use almost every day in my shop. I love mine.
Title: Re: Another Vintage Craftsman Block Motor Grinder - Older Model
Post by: oldnslo on Aug 28, 2025, 10:55 AM
I recall your old post on forming the side covers. Quite ingenious. There is a YT vid on this grinder being restored (one of those non-narrated versions), and he re-poped the ID plate on it. I enjoy my versions of those grinders as well.
Title: Re: Another Vintage Craftsman Block Motor Grinder - Older Model
Post by: AbiggerGarage on Aug 28, 2025, 08:46 PM
Slight thread drift.

Not expecting good results on my cancer scan, so am planning both ways.  Possible estate sale (lots of tools) coming up.

What all do you all use your bench grinders for?
I have multiple Tormek's, one friend will end up with one.
I have a couple belt sanders (one isn't really finished as I was setting it up/multitool belt/disc sander from when Bluepoint ones were closed out via Ebay years back).  One floor style Craftsman belt sander (think sibling might get more use out of that)
One Baldor, 8" and I think I remember a Craftsman block style.
I'm thinking the strictly belt sanders, or the belt/disc style, with a wire wheel, will be the ones family wants, and the Baldor will probably end up either estate sale, or with a machinist buddy, trying to retire (83).

Hand grinders seem to have taken over more then bench grinders, when it comes to grinding (more a welding thing)

Thank you!