As a distraction from things I should be doing, I started working on this old bench grinder I picked up recently. It's a Black & Decker Model 74 Type G, 8", 3/4HP with original pedestal. Runs on 115V @ 3600RPM and takes 9.75 amps. I don't know the exact year it was manufactured, but this series started in 1947 with a 6" model (the 8" models were still the earlier design at this point). By the 1953 catalog this exact 8" grinder was pictured, and sometime by 1958 the model had changed. So I only know that it's circa 1948-1957. Note that the 1953 catalog shown below lists the grinder alone (no pedestal) at $105. That's not cheap! Calculating for inflation, that's today's equivalent of $960.00.
It had been sitting outside for who knows how long, heavily weathered and full of leaves and spiders. I brought it home, cleaned it up and did a smoke test. This beauty fired up instantly with no noise, no vibration, etc. It literally runs like new. No play in the bearings either. So all it will need is a cosmetic restoration.
The side cover didn't want to come off and while I nearly got all three nuts removed safely, one stud snapped at the last second despite heat and penetrating oil. So I'll have to fabricate a replacement and weld it on. I uncovered some dark grey paint under one of the work rests so I'm thinking that's the factory finish. I'll try to find something to match in an aerosol.
Someone was in a hurry to get their shirt sucked into the machine, so they replaced the right side safety cover with a big rusty wire brush that sticks out past the spark shield. It's so Mad Max! But I'm not, so it will go away soon. I'd like to find a replacement side cover but I'm not holding my breath. I'll probably have to adapt a modern replacement to it, unfortunately.
Yeah, I showed up to collect it in an MGB GT.
Vintage Tools - Bench Grinder
- Steve Simmons
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Re: Vintage Tools - Bench Grinder
so how many parts are you planning to send into orbit with that
- Steve Simmons
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1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS - Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
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Re: Vintage Tools - Bench Grinder
Planning? None. How many will actually go? The sky's the limit!
- Larry Kluss
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Re: Vintage Tools - Bench Grinder
Great find
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