Bench Grinders To Be Repaired

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 29)-- The Portable Appliance and Tool Group, McGraw-Edison Co., Columbia, Mo., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced a voluntary repair program for about 16,000 six-inch bench grinders, which may pose a shock hazard.

A protective sleeve insulating a lead wire may wear through on some of the units, bringing the wire into direct contact with the motor shaft and possibly resulting in severe shock if the tool is not properly grounded and if the user is grounded or touching a grounded metal object such as a water pipe. Two cases have been reported where the insulation has worn through, one of which resulted in a shock.

The tools were manufactured from April through July 1973, and for limited periods between February 1977 and January 1978.

The repair program applies to the following models of six-inch bench grinders purchased after June 1973 and not showing any three-digit date code embossed on the nameplate (e.g., 57C): Manning Bowman model 715100, Toastmaster model 5577, Power House model 711100, J. C. Penney model 4030, Western Auto-Wizzard model POE 6203A, Ward's Power Kraft model TGB-5102A, and K-Mart model 30-09Tl.

Also involved are K-Mart model 30-90Tl showing the date code 77B, 77D, 77E or 77F, and Ward's Power Kraft model TGB 5102A with the 77F date code embossed on the nameplate. Tools having these date codes and containing an orange inspection sticker on the carton or the unit have already been inspected and are not involved in the repair program.

Anyone owning one of these bench grinders should temporarily stop use and write to: Bench Grinder Repair Program, c/o National Service Manager, Portable Appliance and Tool Group, McGraw-Edison Co., 2nd and Vine St., Boonville, Mo. 65233, to get instructions for having the unit checked and repaired free-of-charge. To verify brand names and model numbers, consumers may contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772.