Hi setlab,
Some pics here on this forum:
1928 Brown & Sharp #2 Surface Grinder - back to life ...
With the 'fussy' thing, I didn't man these grinders are fussy, but grinders in general can be. They are exacting machines. I'm no expert at all but things like spindle play, vibrations, wheel balance, temperature and so on all play a part. I am a novice grinder hand.
re the wear - I seen a couple of these grinders with pretty major wear still produce good parts. My carriage lived outside in the weather under grass for 10 years and still seems okay.
So, I suspect a visual on a the ways of an 80 year old machine will likely confirm what you already know - it will be worn. But that might not make it unusable.
It is difficult to tell from the photo but I'd be making sure all controls and so on are there. Some observations:
* the 'lever' handle protruding out from the front of the table. I'm pretty sure it is not supposed to be like that.
* in between the two hand wheels is a circular thingo with stops that control the amount of table movement at each end (left/right) of a pass. Can't see if everything is there.
* there should be a type of slanting 'shield' above the hand controls that acts a hand protection. Looks like it is missing.
* the left hand end of the table should have a kind of vertical 'grit stop' attached to reduce the dust and stuff that flings left
* the column handwheel and the table handwheel are both missing handles.
If you are keen on the machine, I'd download a manual from vintagemachinery.org and study a few pics and when you get back out there take a closer look.
My feeling is you're probably up for a project there and not a plug-and-play grinder. But I could be wrong.
Greg.