Vintage Find

[Becciasm]

Dad found this when cleaning out basement the other weekend. Belonged to my Grandfather (Mom's father).

Not sure of the date of manufacture, but it's a vintage Craftsman 2 speed polisher/sander, model #315.11510. Made in USA, when tools were made with real metal and when the name Craftsman meant something! hehe..

Probably hasn't been used in 30 years or so, at least not put to serious use. Powers up, runs fine! Speed switch works, variable speed trigger, trigger lock. All aluminum body, steel gears. 3/4 HP electric motor!

I believe 5/8" spindle, but I've not put a scale to it to measure.

Next plan is to disassemble and clean out 30 + years of dirt/dust accumulation and then polish it up and put it to work!















If anyone has used one of these or knows more about them, please clue me in. I think it's an awesome piece, regardless whether or not I use it in my arsenal. I'm over the moon with this find

[BorisC]

How much does it weigh?

[Becciasm]

How much does it weigh?

Not a whole heck of a lot. a few pounds at most, ~ 5lbs i'd rekon.. I'll weigh and measure it tonight.

[BobbyG]

I have an older Craftsman 2 speed polisher I bought new in 1968 and still have it today. While it's seen better days, it served me well for a long, long time and still works today...

I would feel safe to say yours might possibly be a bit older than mine....

[Becciasm]

I have an older Craftsman 2 speed polisher I bought new in 1968 and still have it today. While it's seen better days, it served me well for a long, long time and still works today...

I would feel safe to say yours might possibly be a bit older than mine....

What is the diameter of the spindle? do 'modern day' rotary backing plate/pads fit on yours?

the ones that came with the polisher are not in proper working condition... yep, still have the OEM Case, manual, rubber backing pad, sanding disk, and polishing bonnet..

[Becciasm]

Not sure of the exact RPM, but searching for later generation models reveals that lo speed is ~3500 RPM, Hi ~ 4200 rpm....

[BobbyG]

What is the diameter of the spindle? do 'modern day' rotary backing plate/pads fit on yours?

the ones that came with the polisher are not in proper working condition... yep, still have the OEM Case, manual, rubber backing pad, sanding disk, and polishing bonnet..

The spindles even back then were 5/8-11 and fit everything that's produced today..

I can pick up this vintage machine and start buffing with the best of them....it's just a bit heavier than my newer ones...

[Becciasm]

Seems that the speeds posted above may be tooo high for today's rotary buffing standard processes...

Any thoughts?

[BobbyG]

Seems that the speeds posted above may be tooo high for today's rotary buffing standard processes...

Any thoughts?

Compounding and polishing are generally done at speeds between 800rpm & 1400rpm. My 2 speed is 1400 and 2800 but it's what I used to use and at 1400 I got used to it..

I think the machine you have is more geared toward sanding. Those speeds are a bit too fast for polishing so if you do use it be careful...

[Becciasm]

Compounding and polishing are generally done at speeds between 800rpm & 1400rpm. My 2 speed is 1400 and 2800 but it's what I used to use and at 1400 I got used to it..

I think the machine you have is more geared toward sanding. Those speeds are a bit too fast for polishing so if you do use it be careful...

Truth.

BUT, in the manual, it recommends low speed for polishing paint. I guess with the trigger, one could vary the speed from 0-3500, but keeping a consistant velocity 'sweet spot' by varying a trigger is a difficult skill to master.

BUT, maybe this could lead to a new trend, cutting major sanding marks with rotary @ 3500 rpm, 7.5" black pad and wax... ?!