Ok, I have had a couple sessions with it now. The mag chuck, spindle, and automatic table all work apparently fine! It'll grind stuff flat no problem. I have figured out that the table reciprocates at either hi or lo speed, and that the cross feed is very adjustable in either direction. That is, I can have the table in or out feed anywhere from a few thousandths to like 1/8" every pass, and variably left/right or right/left.
Initially the mechanical (not hydraulic) table feeds wouldn't engage, but I saw that Michael pikula had the same grinder and problem until he figured out that the spindle motor was running backwards, and switched the power leads. The table worked right away.
Then I figured out about the grinding head height lock screw, which stops the grinding head from falling into the work when climb cutting.
The thing has a bigass rock spinning on it... I tell you I stood back a lot at first when powering up.
The machine need some electrical repair, as the original run/stop controls need put back in service and the the retrofit mag chuck needs it's drum switch fixed/rewired.
But hey, it works well! I'm pretty elated. It's going to be a major job hauling it up my driveway and into my shop back in Washington, and I'll have to wait a couple months until then, as well.
I have got a vid taken on my friends phone of it grinding and reciprocating, which I'll post in this thread soon. When I get the machine in service and all gone through, I plan on making an instructional vid about it for view on YouTube to add to the meager knowledge out there about this model.
$550 for a smooth running 8x24" automatic surface grinder with mag chuck and coolant system, a classic piece of American cast iron... Woohoo!