Restoring an old Superior buffer/grinder head part1

No idea of the age but it's in good condition. Marked Superior, Made in USA. If anyone has information about these I'd love to know.

 



I ground down the casting seams and defects, filed, wire brushed, then sanded before shooting a primer coat of machine gray. My plan is a two tone paint job in turquoise and off white.

More Crank Grinders

This green grinder, no maker mark, was my first, an average but decent quality crank grinder. After a short period I sold it and bought the GP and Prairie grinders. The gear ratio was 9:1. Looks very similar to common 1929 grinder below (red) but is of better quality.

An infamous Dec 29th, 1929 grinder in bright red. A freebie that came with the GP grinder.  If you've been around grinders much you'll know these are common as fleas on a fox. Judging by the wheel it got a lot of use but unfortunately there is no simple way to secure the arbor from turning as you try to loosen the arbor nut. Gear ratio is the common 9:1

Prairie Tool Co., model 85 crank grinder

Model 85 grinder from Prairie Tool Co., Prairie du Chien, WI.; made sometime after 1920. The 15:1 gear ratio = 900 RPM at one crank per second. Slightly less beefy than the Goodell Pratt but still a heavy duty and quality built grinder. Unfortunately mine is missing the tool post.

Sturdibilt Model 85

Before and after videos:

Looks like a grease zerk but isn't, it's for oiling the arbor shaft.

Before I removed 90 years of petrified grease.

Goodell Pratt model 485 grinder

Compared to most crank grinders, the 485 is massive at 11 lbs. but was the baby in the Goodell Pratt family of grinders. The 22:1 gear ratio spins the the wheel at over 1300 RPM with a leisurely 1 crank per second. The gears are beefy and run smooth. This is a high quality crank grinder, as good as you will find.
 

Grimy and neglected

The cleaning took it's toll on the badge,
should have covered it with tape.