Photo Index - Ford-Smith Machine Co., Ltd. - Pedestal Grinder

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Ford-Smith Machine Co., Ltd.
Hamilton, ON

True Manufacturer:
Ford-Smith Machine Co., Ltd., Hamilton, ON

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Grinder, Bench
Machine Size:	12"
Submitted By:	T. Wagler

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Pedestal Grinder
Date of Manufacturer:	1940's
Serial Number:
Last Updated	3/1/2024 10:40:35 AM

Comments:

Picked up this 12" Ford-Smith pedestal grinder being sold surplus from the City of Ottawa (Canada) Municipal Works main garage. Was told by the facility custodian that it had been sitting in a corner unused for many years. It can be dated by its nameplate which has a C.E.S.A. (Canadian Engineering Standards Association) approval number on it. Information from Wikipedia indicates that C.E.S.A. was established in 1919 to create technical standards and later also issued the Canadian Electrical Code. In 1940, CESA assumed responsibility for testing and certifying electrical products intended for sale and installation in Canada. CESA was renamed the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in 1944. So the presence of this C.E.S.A format tag would seem to date the motor in the 1940 - 1944 time frame.

The grinder is a Model 41, with dual 10" grinding wheels, 2 hp, 1750 rpm, 3 phase, 550 Volt motor. The motor has a separate tag indicating that it was manufactured by Robbins & Myers in Brantford, Ontario. This is an extremely heavy machine, probably about 400 lbs. Checking online shows a fair number of similar Model 41 grinders having been sold by Canadian industrial auction houses, but this unit is significantly older. The newer units all have fabricated steel pedestals, while this one is very thick cast iron. Another difference is that the grinding wheel guards and the tool rest are bolted to the pedestal, rather than to the body of the motor, which is the more modern design. This truly is a pedestal grinder, not just a bench grinder bolted to a pedestal.

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