Sanford Surface Grinder Question

I'm trying to find information on Sanford surface grinders for another individual.
His father passed and was a Tool and Die maker and trying to get information about his machines.
I think it's a SG 48,but not sure. Here's a couple pics he sent me.

JPigg55 said:

I'm trying to find information on Sanford surface grinders for another individual.
His father passed and was a Tool and Die maker and trying to get information about his machines.
I think it's a SG 48,but not sure. Here's a couple pics he sent me.

View attachment 134285 View attachment 134286

Click to expand...

Yes, looks like a GS48. I think I can see the graduation dial adjustment feature on the in-out and up-down feed? That tells me it’s a newer version. What are your questions?,,,Dave.

I was having trouble finding any info on Sanford surface grinders.
Was wanting to know where to tell this person to find the model number and give them an average price range these are going for.
I'm interested in this machine myself so I'm also want to know resources like grinding whell size they take.

It is not an SG 48, I am very knowledgeable on those machines. It is an MG, their medium sized machine. The model and serial number are on the badge on the front. I don't really follow the larger ones, but they are not very expensive. Parts are not available, but the parts that might be needed the most are belts, bearings, bushings, gears, etc, and they should be standard. It appears in very nice shape and I doubt it needs anything. I don't see a way to upload a PDF sales brochure, but can email one if you send me the address (in a PM if you want). Dennis

As mentioned earlier it's an MG 612 model. It isn't the standard 6" x 12" capacity, but rather an 8" x 12" x 12" capacity. The left to right traverse is 12", the fore and aft traverse is 8", and the distance under the wheel is 12" provided you use the standard 7" wheel. I have had an identical machine in my shop for several years. The older models used a flat belt between the motor and the spindle, while the later models used a standard V belt. It could be ordered with either a 6"x 12" chuck or a 5"x 10" chuck. It does have coolant capability, but it was an option.

Here's a link to some discussion on Sanford grinders on another forum.
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/abrasive-machining/sanford-mg-612-surface-grinder-281863/

Post #5 has a couple pictures of my machine. Note the vertical way cover in the first picture has the inscription "SANFORD" with the initials "MG below it

While they are no longer made almost any part short of the castings are available. It does use precision bearings that should be available from places like Motion Industries, or any other industrial bearing supplier.

There are several documents online including a sales brochure, an owners instruction and a parts manual.

Here's a link to an instruction and parts manual:
http://www.d-and-d.com/misc/MANUALS/Sanford/SCANNINGS/Manual.pdf

Here's a link to a sales brochure:
http://www.d-and-d.com/misc/MANUALS/Sanford/SCANNINGS/Flyer-1.pdf
Note it has pictures and specifications for the SG (smallest model), the MG (the middle size machine) and the LG which is the largest they made.

Here's a link to the MG 618 sales brochure:
http://www.d-and-d.com/misc/MANUALS/Sanford/SCANNINGS/Flyer-2.pdf
It's the big brother to the MG 612 in that it has an 18" left to right traverse rather than 12"

Here's a link to a quote for an MG 612:
http://www.d-and-d.com/misc/MANUALS/Sanford/SCANNINGS/Quote-2.pdf

Here's a link to a quote for an MG 618:
http://www.d-and-d.com/misc/MANUALS/Sanford/SCANNINGS/Quote-3.pdf

Here's a link to a quote for an LG model:
http://www.d-and-d.com/misc/MANUALS/Sanford/SCANNINGS/Quote-4.pdf

Finally here's a sales quote for an SG model:
http://www.d-and-d.com/misc/MANUALS/Sanford/SCANNINGS/Quote-1.pdf

These were expensive machines in their day. Ranging in price a base from $6160.00 for an SG model to over $37,000 for an LG model. There are a few for sale on e bay and other online machinery dealers. Most are not in the best condition and the asking price is anywhere from $250.00 to $1,000.00. Keep in mind these are "asking" prices. An MG 612 in similar condition to the one you show recently went for less than $800.00 in our area. I paid about $600.00 for mine. It was missing the exhaust hood and the X axis table stops.

projectnut said:

As mentioned earlier it's an MG 612 model. It isn't the standard 6" x 12" capacity, but rather an 8" x 12" x 12" capacity. The left to right traverse is 12", the fore and aft traverse is 8

Click to expand...

That's the standard capacity. The factory quotes the full travel as 8 3/4" x 13" and rates the machine as an 8 x 12.

The reason I mentioned 8" x 12" x 12" as the capacity is because I've seen a number of new "offshore" grinders advertised as 6" x 12". That's the actual length and width of the stroke not the length and width of the part that can be that can be ground. In the past the expectation was that the advertised size was the size of the largest piece that could be ground. Allowing that the grinding wheel would pass beyond the part being ground by at least 1/2" in the X feed direction (left to right) and the same distance in the Z (forward and away from the operator) direction.
Using the same criteria some of the newer 6" x 12" machines would only have a capacity of 5" x 11"

As for the labeling of the axis there seems to be different schools of thought. I learned the X axis on a surface grinder is right to left. The Y axis is elevation of the wheel, and the Z toward and away from the operator. Others have learned the X axis is right to left, the Y axis is toward and away from the operator, and the Z axis is elevation.

I took a while to sink into my brain since the X axis on a mill and lathe are the same, but the Y axis is toward and away from the operator, and the Z axis on a mill is elevation.

Thanks for all the help, hoping to go take a look this weekend.

Well, I bought the Sanford.
What a chore getting it out of his basement, had to break it down. That thing is heavy.
The label plate gives a serial number, but not the model. I'm thinking it's a MG 618 as the front T-bar for the stops is 18" long.
Apparently his father bought it from Alenco Tool Supply out of Chicago who had refurb'd it. Wasn't even wired up yet so I don't believe he had a chance to use it.
It came with the magnetic chuck and a few grinding wheels, but no wheel dressing point.
Any suggestions where to buy them ???

Oh, I'd be remiss without posting pics.

Looks like a great machine, and it came with a good supply of wheels.

As for the wheel dresser there are several available from vendors like Shars or on e bay. I have an assortment of several different styles.

The most simplistic are like this:
http://www.shars.com/adjustable-height-dresser-1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SURFACE-TOO...566879?hash=item33bca9a65f:g:jmQAAOSwkl5Xemxd

To a little more sophisticated like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diamond-Whe...373999?hash=item281645efef:g:4sYAAOSwV-RXFSJF

And even a radius dresser like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Radius-W...268066?hash=item1eb6f106a2:g:sGAAAOSw0UdXvZsq

http://www.shars.com/radius-angle-dresser

I would start with something like either of the first two. The last ones are for grinding specialty profiles. Mine are not the exact same as those in the links as the first two styles came with the machine. I would guess they are 50+ years old. There are many other styles available. Some cost into the many thousands of dollars. I don't think you'll need anything beyond the first two unless you take on specialty jobs that require exacting profiles.