We can grind, sharpen, and polish metals and other materials with the grinder. So let’s see which bench grinders are best and choose which one to buy.
The bench grinder comprises two rotating wheels capable of working the materials with different results. The most common use is the sharpening and polishing of blades and knives, but the bench grinding wheel allows you to work on different objects and materials, including wood and concrete.
Use it to smooth and polish handmade pieces and objects and effectively flat, curved, and corner surfaces. Depending on the model, the bench grinder is fixed to the workbench with special screws or suction cups.
The discs’ speed allows you to do the job quickly; this tool requires precision and competence obtained with a little practice. Whether used for work or a creative hobby, the grinding wheel must be suitable for the work you want to do and must be used in compliance with certain safety measures.
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Choosing a bench grinder: Types and Characteristics
must choose which bench grinder to buy based on the work carried out and carefully evaluate these important parameters.
Power
The power of a bench grinder is closely linked to its quality and size. The smallest and easiest to handle have power starting from 150 watts, while the most efficient can reach over 700 watts. The higher the power, the greater the engine’s efficiency and ability to work longer without overheating the engine. Also, greater power is useful for working the most robust metals, such as steel.
Structure and weight
In addition to power, we must also consider the structure of the grinding wheel. A higher power generally corresponds to a heavier and more robust grinder precisely because of the engine’s weight.
For example, after exceeding 500 watts, it is common to find grinding wheels that weigh approximately 35 and 45 lbs.
Again, we carefully evaluate the work we have to do. Opting for a heavier grinder wheel is better if we foresee intensive use. However, we can safely opt for a lighter grinding wheel under 20 lbs for small grinding jobs.
Stability
Once fixed to the bench, the grinding wheel must remain stable. First of all, to avoid accidents and secondly, to guarantee precision work. Vibrations can compromise the most delicate jobs if the grinding wheel is unstable on the counter.
The fixing takes place with various methods depending on the model, but choosing a dedicated point to hook the grinding wheel and keep it fixed is advisable. All the best bench grinding wheel models have rubber feet, which perform an anti-slip and anti-vibration function.
Type of Discs
Most bench wheels have two discs. Sometimes mounted on the same axis, they turn at the same speed, sometimes independently. The two discs have different grits to perform different types of work—one with a coarse grain for sanding and the other with fine grain for polishing and finishing.
One of the discs may have a steel brush to carry out the toughest jobs in some models. The discs’ diameter can vary from 120 mm for those mounted on the smallest wheels to 250 mm for those mounted on the most powerful wheels.
At the time of purchase, it is useful to check whether the grinding wheel we are buying allows you to mount other brands’ disks. In this regard, it is necessary to check the disc hole’s size and measure the diameter. In this way, we have a greater choice in replacing discs, both from an economic point of view and in terms of convenience.
Parascintille
Spark arresters are transparent plastic doors lower in front of the grinding wheel. They cover the top without interfering with the job. Their purpose is to prevent the sparks from going straight on the user, even worse, on the eyes.
Sparks caused by a high-speed grinding wheel can be hazardous, and although the spark arrestor is very useful for avoiding injury, it is always advisable that the work surface is clear and clean.
Protective goggles
Another indispensable safety measure is safety glasses. It is mandatory when the grinder is not equipped with a spark arrester but is as useful as an extra measure. The goggles are sometimes included as an accessory as the grinding wheel.
Magnifying glass
On some models of bench grinders, a magnifying glass is mounted above one of the discs. The magnifying glass helps finish and sharpen small objects, such as drill bits or chisels, whenever we need maximum precision.
Lights
The best bench grinder will be light to illuminate the work area better. This way, you avoid shadows that can disturb you while working. Furthermore, an integrated light on the appliance avoids carrying other torches or light sources on the counter that could clutter up.
Depending on the case, we can find fixed lights pointed on the grinding wheels or lights that can be oriented like small torches. The most efficient lights are LED lights for the lowest consumption and longest life.
The best bench grinders to buy
Below is the selection of the best-recommended bench grinders with technical characteristics and relatively best prices available today.
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.