Craftsman 115.7566-360 1/3HP Block Grinder

[lauver]

Gang,

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a Craftsman 1/3HP  Block Grinder for $20.  It runs quite well as found. It spools up quickly, runs quietly, and takes about 5 minutes to come to a full stop. Just the opposite of my Made in China "Continental-International" grinder.

It has a "115" manufacturers prefix on the metal plate attached to the motor.  A little research turned up the following:

According to an old Sears manufacturers list I have, the 115 prefix = Rixon?  I've never heard of them so I checked over at The Vintage Machinery Org. site, which indicates the 115 prefix = Packard Electric Co., a division of General Motors (after 1932).

A catalog search indicated the version I have (catalog model number 1951L) was sold between 1954 and 1963, the original finish was gray enamel, and the supplied grinding wheels were 7" x 3/4". The catalogs also made a big deal about the "capacitor motor" and the large factory sealed ball bearings. I was also surprised to see that these grinders were sold with 3-wire grounded power cords.

Here's a couple of photo's of the grinder as I found it:





Obviously, a little refurb is in order for this old veteran. But this will have to wait until I have time to tackle this project. Worth noting, my grinder has brown wrinkle paint on the cast iron pieces and what appears to be tan or metalic tan paint on the sheet metal center cover. I don't know if this was original or not, but it is at odd's with the catalog description.

[rusty]

The old craftsman toolboxes were that kind of brown wrinkle paint. , I would guess the gray was a later ( 60's) color for the grinder, the toolboxes went gray later too...

[lauver]

rusty,

Thanks for posting.  The gray paint spec came straight out of the 1954-1963 Sears big book and Craftman power tool catalogs.  That said, I have noticed many errors in these catalogs in other searches I've done.  We'll probably never know for sure.

At some point, I'd like to go back thru all the catalogs and create a timeline for all the block grinder models, complete with their descriptions and illustrations.  I think this would be very helpful to those fans that are dragging these old veterans out of the flea markets, swap meets, garage sales, and assorted auctions.  These vintage grinders are awesome and typically have many decades and 1,000,000's of revolutions left on them.

[lauver]

Gang,

I've finished all the cleaning, preping, painting, and reassembly.  The only thing remaining is to purchase some fresh new 7" grinding wheels.  This will have to wait until I have some spare cash.

Anyway, here's a few after photo's; almost ready for some serious grinding:








I used RustOleum rusty metal primer, satin black enamel, and hammered copper enamel for the trim work.  I ended up applying the hammered copper enamel twice, and in the end, still did not achieve the hammered effect I was looking for.  All conditions were right, but I just didn't have my mojo working.

Hope ya like it...

[lauver]

Post Script--  For those who have not attempted a vintage grinder restoration, they are at the easy end of the scale. 

It only takes about 15-20 minutes to disassemble or reassemble a grinder. 

Preping and painting is simple and straight forward, as there is no need for high-end finishes.

If electrical repairs are necessary, all you need is a wire cutter/stripper, soldering iron, shrink tubing, and an inexpensive multimeter.

And, last but not least, there is no shortage of good advice here on TT, or over on GG.

[fflintstone]

^^^^Purdy^^^^

[Papaw]

That ain't "Purdy"!! It is BEAUTIFUL!

[Batz]

My old bench grinder looks a bit second hand now.

Batz

[lauver]

Papaw,

I just noticed there is a Classic Power tool forum.  If you want to move this thread to the appropriate forum, it will not hurt my feelings at all.

[keykeeper]

I bought one of the gray ones made later than yours at an auction some time ago, but I haven't been successful in getting it going. I replaced the capacitor, but I can't seem to get it to spin up. The wheels are in great shape, but there is some rust and silt inside the case. I surmise it was a flood victim. I can't read the wiring diagram to make sure I'm all hooked up right for 110v current or 220v. One of these days, I'll get it back together, I hope.

[1930]

I thought you mentioned having no time to put into this right now? That looks great

[dimwittedmoose51]

Mine will never clean up like that....as long as Iown it, that is.....great job Lauver!!

DM&FS