That is an excellent Sarg! Much less expensive than buying a new compressor and tank. Plus you got to tinker for a while. It looks well used (as it should). A pristine tool is an unused tool. Although my grinder is all shiny and clean now. Once it gets into use it will get a nice patina, scratches, dings, etc.
When I took apart that grinder, the insides of the covers had about 1/2" of brass shavings caked inside that I had to chisel out. The motor was truly atrocious (I was able to clean the winding pretty well) and clearly the previous owner never clean her in 40 years... A true testament to the bomb-proof construction of these old machines. I really love the sturdy feeling of a cast iron tool compared to today's aluminum or alloys. Of course, I'll be adding a ground wire to some of them — some of the things they did back in the day weren't exactly safe...
When I worked construction, my coworkers would make fun of me for my clean tools. They had scratches and dings and such, because I used them. But I always keep a rag in each toolbox for wiping them down after use. I also blow out the motors after I've used them so that the sawdust etc., doesn't cake up the innards... As a result I still have the first 9v DeWalt cordless drill I bought back in the early/mid 80's and it is still running strong. Yeah, I've changed the brushes, and had to change the trigger once. But it is still here after nearly 30 years (15 of those were daily use). When I went back to construction in 2011-2012, they guys I worked with all had new tools as they replaced them every 2-3 years when they broke.
