The Best Bench Grinders to Shape, Sharpen, and Grind
-
Buffalo Tools BG6UL 6In Grinder -
SKIL 3380-01 Best Budget Table Grinder -
Metabo DS 200 8" Grinder -
Grizzly G9717 Stationary Grinder -
Nieko 3" Mini Grinder with Flexible Shaft -
Buyer's Guide
Table grinders come in a variety of sizes and configurations. The most common sizes are 6 and 8 inches. This refers to the size of the grinding wheel itself. For homeowners, do-it-yourselfers, and contractors, 6-inch stationary grinders are generally sufficient. The larger, 8-inch grinder is mostly for industrial applications. The major advantage of the larger wheel size is longer wheel life and a faster surface speed. While the motor probably turns at the same number of RPM, the larger diameter makes the outside of the wheel move faster, grinding faster as well.
Although grinders are rather simple tools, there are several things to keep in mind when looking at them. For the most part, motor size isn't a big deal, as every manufacturer uses motors that are large enough to power the wheels. Instead, look at the tool rest, as a good tool rest will make sharpening drill bits and other tools easier. Many only have a sheet metal rest, while the better ones are cast. The other thing you want the rest to have is a notch for drill bits, to hold them at the right angle to the wheel.
The biggest complaint most people have with grinders, regardless of how much they spend on them, is wheel wobble. This is mostly a result of poor manufacturing of the wheels themselves, not the grinder. Manufacturers don’t package the most expensive wheels on the market with their bench grinders. However, with a little bit of work with a wheel dresser (which every manufacturer recommends) this problem can be eliminated.
Wheel wobble can be reduced by three things that a manufacturer can do:
- Using wider wheels, as there is more surface in contact with the arbor.
- Using a larger diameter arbor, as it is more rigid.
- Using machined washers, instead of stamped ones, for wheel backers.
Please note that machined washers are extremely rare, but if you have some basic metalworking skills, you can produce your own. The thicker they are, the better; just as long as you can still tighten the nut on the arbor.
Table Grinders Perfect for Your Next Home Upgrade
Buffalo Tools BG6UL 6In Grinder - Best Table Grinder Overall
This is actually an eight-inch grinder which is really surprising at this price. The larger wheel makes the actual speed faster, as there is more distance covered on each revolution. Buffalo has included dual work lights on this one, so that you can adjust each of them independently to provide the best lighting for each wheel. The one thing that they missed is putting a notch on the tool rest for drill bits, although the tool rest could be replaced with one of your own manufacture fairly easily.
SKIL 3380-01 Best Budget Table Grinder - Runner Up
This is the first table grinder I've seen that's using LEDs for work illumination as they typically use small incandescent lights. The LED means lower power consumption and longer life, as they don't wear out like incandescent lights do. This grinder uses a 2.1 amp motor, which probably means it's providing about 1/3 HP like the other 6-inch grinders. It comes with medium and coarse wheels, has sheet metal tools rests for both wheels and adjustable eye shields.
Metabo DS 200 8" Grinder - Honorable Mention
Metabo is a little known company which produces some excellent tools. They’re mostly known in the automotive field, especially for body shops. This 8-inch grinder draws 4.8 amps, runs at 3750 RPM, and is designed for low noise and low vibration. There's an emergency stop switch for safety while the protective covers are bayonet mounted for quick removal and easy wheel changing. Workpiece supports can be adjusted without tools and the only thing missing here is a light.
Grizzly G9717 Stationary Grinder - Consider
Grizzly typically makes industrial-grade tools so it’s a bit surprising to find they have a bench grinder that qualifies as a budget tool. This 6-inch grinder comes with a 1/3 HP motor, turning at 3450 RPM. It can use either 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch wide wheels. The safety shields are oversized on this grinder, providing an added measure of safety for to keep sparks out of your eyes. The motor is fast starting and runs cool enough that you can keep using it all day long.
Nieko 3" Mini Grinder with Flexible Shaft - Best Budget Table Grinder
I had to include this grinder from Nieko, because of its uniqueness. This combines the benefits of a grinder, with a flex-shaft tool, giving you much more capability in one package. The grinding wheels are only 3-inches in diameter which is a bit small but they’ll still sharpen your tools. On top of that, they provide you with a flex-shaft tool for doing detail work making for a rather nice combination. The unit is variable speed, running up to 10,000 RPM, which makes it much faster than other grinders.
Buyer's Guide
What is a Bench Grinder?
A bench grinder is a power tool that is present in almost every workshop, and it is used to sharpen other tools that you need for woodworking or other jobs. It consists of a rotating arm with an abrasive wheel attached to it. There are different types of wheels for different purposes, such as grinding, shaping, sharpening, cutting, etc.
Due to its versatility and ability to deliver quick results, a bench grinder is a handy device for every person who works with different tools and equipment. This is why it is found everywhere from workshops to garages. The stationary grinder is fixed on top of a bench or work table, so that it doesn’t move around due to the vibration of the motor.
Why is a Bench Grinder Important?
One of the main reasons why you need a grinder and can benefit from having it is the versatility that it provides. As mentioned above, a table grinder has a wheel attached to it, which is spun by a high-powered motor at a great speed. You can use the spinning wheel to grind, polish, shape, or sharpen any of your tools or workpieces and use them in your projects.
Another reason why you should have a table grinder in your workshop is that it allows you to achieve a level of fineness and perfection that you wouldn’t be able to achieve by hand. Plus, the grinder is easier to control and you can alter the degree of grinding by moving the tool or workpiece back and forth on the wheel.
Moreover, a grinder is suitable for workmen in different professions, such as metal fabrication, woodworking, welding, fitting, manufacturing, and many others.
How to Use a Bench Grinder?
Even if you are new to using a stationary grinder, you can master the skill with a little practice. To use it properly, you need steady hands and precision, otherwise you will end up sharpening your tools the wrong way or making uneven or oddly shaped workpieces. Before you start a grinder, remember to wear the proper work gear, such as gloves and safety goggles.
Also, you need to know the type of wheel you need to add for the job. Wheels vary in levels of coarseness and this makes them suitable for various applications. Once you have determined which wheel you need, you can turn on the machine and wait for it to rotate at its maximum speed.
Next, grab the item or object you need to grind and bring it in contact with the spinning wheel. Make sure to keep it at an acute angle to the wheel, i.e. 25° or 30°. Also, don’t bring the object or push it too close to the wheel at first. Slowly move it towards the wheel, so that you don’t end up overdoing it.
There are some tips that would help you use the grinder properly. Firstly, if you are grinding metal, it tends to get very hot in the process, and this heat can damage the object or tool. Therefore, you should have a bowl or pot of water handy, so that you can stop grinding frequently and dip the tool into water.
Moreover, if you are working with small objects, hold it with pliers so that your fingers don’t get dangerously close to the spinning wheel. Handling small objects while wearing work gloves is also difficult, so pliers will help you achieve a better grip.
Lastly, when sharpening the blunt edge of a tool, there will be sparks flying downwards. When the tool gets sharp enough, the sparks will go upwards, so make sure to keep an eye out for this.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Bench Grinder
When you have numerous options to choose from, it is best to evaluate each grinder using a certain set of factors, which you can read about below.
Size
The size of the table grinder has a direct impact on the type and magnitude of jobs that you will be able to perform. Small stationary grinders are built for low-intensity grinding, sharpening or shaping metal. On the other hand, larger grinders are more suited towards grinding, cutting, or sharpening larger objects and tools.
Make sure to take a look at the size of the power grinder, and also read its detailed description to find out what jobs it is suitable for.
Motor
The motor inside the grinder is one of its crucial components, and it affects the performance of the device. If you choose an option with a larger motor, it would be able to spin larger wheels at higher speeds, thus making it suitable for a variety of jobs and tasks. For heavy-duty jobs, you can make do with a 1 HP motor. For low-intensity projects, you can make use of a ½ or ¾ HP motor.
Speed
The motor doesn’t only provide power to the table grinder, but it also contributes towards its speed. Basically, the higher the horsepower of the motor, the faster it will be able to run. Higher speeds are more suitable for grinding and working with tougher objects. For such items and tools, you need a speed of at least 3000 RPM, whereas softer objects can be worked on using a 1500 RPM motor as well.
Grinding Wheel
The grinding wheel is another important part of the desktop grinder, and different types of wheels vary in their levels of coarseness. For grinding and sharpening tougher materials, you will need a coarser wheel but for softer materials, you can make do with a less coarse grinding wheel. So, you need to choose the right type of wheel for your projects.
Another factor involved with grinding wheels is grit, which determines how smooth or rough you can make the object or tool you are grinding. Grinding wheels are available in two sizes: 6-inch and 8-inch. The former is used for grinding and sharpening at higher speeds, but 6-inch wheels have to be replaced from time to time. On the other hand, 8-inch wheels are suitable for professional projects.
Safety Features
When choosing a grinder, also consider the availability of safety features in it, such as spark deflectors, eyeshields, dust exhaust, cooling system, etc. These features will help you use the tool safely, and they will also ensure that the grinder keeps operating at an optimal temperature and doesn’t break down due to overheating.
FAQs
Q: Can bench grinders be dangerous?
A: Since tabletop grinders rotate a grinding wheel at very high speeds, it can injure your hands if you aren’t careful, especially if you aren’t wearing work gloves.
Q: Do I need to secure the bench grinder with bolts?
A: It is always wise to bolt down the machine onto a workbench or table, because it tends to vibrate strongly when the grinding wheel is turning at a high speed.
Q: Why does my bench grinder have two wheels?
A: Nearly all grinders have two wheels, one of which has a lighter grit and can be used to grind and sharpen softer materials.
