Photo Index - S. M. York Co. - 8" bench grinding arbor

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
S. M. York Co.
Cleveland, OH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Grinder, Bench
Machine Size:	8" wheel
Submitted By:	James Huston

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	8" bench grinding arbor
Date of Manufacturer:	1890s?
Serial Number:	N/A
Last Updated	8/27/2013 9:28:46 PM

Comments:

I bought this grinder on a whim at a local flea market because I had never seen a plain bearing grinder; I think I might have paid six dollars for it.
Upon cleaning it up, I found that cast in cartouche with the S.M. York Co. name. S.M..York was a manufacturer of metal working machinery in Cleveland, Ohio during the turn of the century, when they appear to have been succeeded by the Pattison Co. in the opening years of the 20th century.
I decided to set this grinder up in a manner similar to how it may have been powered originally, with a flat belt running overhead to a motor. The Motor is a Peerless , built in Warren, Ohio. The finishing touch was the addition of a knife switch manufactured here in my home town by the Canton Wireless Co. of Canton, Ohio. The knife switch is a dummy that forces a fully insulated switch open and closed. Due to the lack of guards, I use it as a species of buffer, with a wire wheel on the left and a Scotchbrite finishing wheel on the right.
All in all, for an impulse buy, this machine is used nearly every time I walk into the shop.
I just get a kick out of thinking that this working stiff has been on the job since McKinley ( yet another Ohioan) was president.

Photo 1:

Comments: Grinder in situ
Source: jhuston

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