If you do any type of woodworking at home, then you know that the best bench grinder is a requirement when your tools become dull and useless. There are a number of other uses for a bench grinder as well; in fact, they can buff, polish, shape, or even clean metal, which makes it a useful tool for metal working as well.
In this guide, we will look at several of the top bench grinders that are available as well as discuss what you need to look for when you a choosing the best bench grinder. If you are a DIYer, then stick around so that you can shape your own tools and save yourself some money by purchasing the bench grinder for your needs.
Best Bench Grinder 2017
| Model | Item Weight | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEN 4276 | 4 lbs | 6-Inch | Check Price |
| DEWALT DW756 | 26 lbs | 6-Inch | Check Price |
| DEWALT DW758 | 40.5 lbs | 8-Inch | Check Price |
| SKIL 3380-01 | 20.8 lbs | 6-Inch | Check Price |
| JET 577102 JBG-8A | 60 lbs | 8-Inch | Check Price |
| Delta Power Tools 23-197 | 44.2 lbs | 8-Inch | Check Price |
| Sunex 5002A | 36.9 lbs | 8-Inch | Check Price |
| Metabo DS 200 | 35.9 lbs | 8-Inch | Check Price |
| ATD Tools 10558 | 8.9 lbs | 8-Inch | Check Price |
| Central Machinery | 18.4 lbs | 6-Inch | Check Price |
1. WEN 4276 6-Inch – Best Bench Grinder
The motor on this bench grinder is a 2.1 amp unit that is able to produce steady speeds of up to 3,450 RPM. Even with all of this power, it starts up quickly and it performs without making too much noise.
Verdict
This is a grinder that is good for most needs. It is a lightweight device that is easy to set up, and it will serve you well. It does have a slight wobble, but it is only noticeable when the grinder speeds up.
Check Price- Very heavy duty machine
- It is easy to assemble and mount onto your workbench
- Quiet motor
- It has a lot of power
- The protective barriers do become loose with use
2. DEWALT DW756 6-Inch – Best Bench Grinder for Sharpening
Verdict
If you are looking for a grinder that is great for most jobs, then this may be an option for you. It gives you plenty of room so that you can maneuver with ease, and the precision is remarkable. The only issue is that adjusting the tool rest takes some effort.
- Very powerful motor
- It is backed by a generous three-year warranty
- It has a durable, industrial level base to keep it secure
- The wheels are difficult to remove when you need to
- The tool rest is difficult to adjust
3. DEWALT DW758 8-Inch – Bench Grinder for Overload Protection
Verdict
Taking all of the features of this grinder into consideration, you will see that it is a high-quality device that will last. Unfortunately, it does have a few issues with balance, but nothing that makes it too difficult to use.
- Very powerful device
- It only takes a few minutes to assemble and install this grinder
- It wobbles a bit
- There is no light on the unit
4. SKIL 3380-01 6-Inch – Best Bench Grinder for a Workshop
Verdict
If you are looking for a bench grinder that does everything that you need it to at a low price point, then this may be for you. It does lack some of the accessories that you may need to set it up. But it has all of the grinding power and illumination that you need.
- LED lighting that is built into both of the grinding wheels
- Very powerful motor
- It is not expensive
- The grind wheels are not the simplest thing to change
5. JET 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch – Best Bench Grinder for Industrial Grade Use
Verdict
This is a great bench grinder to use in your shop; it is powerful enough to accommodate industrial strength jobs, and it is a well-built machine. There are some issues with the eye shields not staying tight, but that can easily be fixed.
- Very little vibration while the wheels are rotating
- It is a very durable product
- The tool rests are a bit small for larger jobs
6. Delta Power Tools 23-197 8-Inch – Bench Grinder Variable Speed
Verdict
If you are looking for a bench grinder that lets you be in control of the speed, then this may be an option for you. It is durable, powerful, but it does wobble at full speed, so be careful.
- The adjustable speed is great for buffing
- It does not vibrate much, especially on a lower speed
- The motor is quiet
- Difficult to assemble
- It has a bit of a wobble
7. Sunex 5002A 8-Inch – Best Lighting for a Bench Grinder
Verdict
This is a great bench grinder for a small shop or an area of the home where its vibrating will not disturb others. It is a bit loud, but it has the power, the performance, and the lighting that you will need for most jobs.
- Very solid construction
- Great source of light that can be swiveled to meet your needs
- There is not much assembly required
- Changing the wheels is a bit time-consuming
- It only has a one year warranty
8. Metabo DS 200 8-Inch – Bench Grinder for Extensive Use
Verdict
If you are looking for a well-rounded bench grinder that is able to perform without noise or vibration, then this may be for you. It does not have a very large eye guard, so if you make this purchase, don’t forget to wear eye protection.
- It’s a very durable machine
- Very quiet grinder
- The grind wheels are easy to change
- The tool rest is small
- The eye shield is also a bit small
9. ATD Tools 10558 8-Inch – Bench Grinder for Visibility
Verdict
If you do a lot of intricate work with tools, then this may be an ideal power tool for you. It has the ability to light up the workspace and magnify the area; however, the light does have some hang-ups that can be annoying.
- The eye shields magnify
- It is a very powerful machine with 3,450 RPM
- The wheels may not be balanced on arrival
- The light only functions when the motor is running
10. Central Machinery 6-Inch – Electric Bench Grinder Sharpening Tool Rust Removal
Verdict
If you are looking for a bench grinder that will get the job done without you spending a lot of money, then this is a small machine that will provide you with an amazing amount of power.
- It is a very powerful machine
- There is very little vibration with this model
- It wobbles quite a bit until the wheels are balanced
Best Bench Grinder – Buyer’s Guide
Any time that you purchase a power tool, safety is going to be the number one priority that you consider when making a purchase. These tools should all have some safety precautions in place that are designed to make sure that you do not get injured when you are using it.
There should always be adequate safety guards in place over the grind wheels to make sure that sparks do not fly out and injure you. In addition, you should always wear goggles to protect your eyes. Also, the grinding wheel should have a guard in place covering the wheel so that loose clothing has less of a chance of getting caught in the machine.
What are other important features to consider when purchasing a bench grinder?
Quality of the Materials
When you purchase any power tool, you want to get a unit that is designed to last for a long time. The bench grinder will also make it much easier to get a professional level of sharpness on your tools. A manufacturer that stands behind their bench grinder will give you a nice warranty on the purchase of the product, but you can extend the life even more by performing the maintenance that is suggested in the manual for the upkeep of the machine.
The Power of the Motor
In most situations, the size of the motor directly reflects the amount of power that you will get from the machine, which is why the motor that you choose will depend greatly on your needs. If you are consistently working with hard metals, then you may want a larger motor to make sure that it can do the job fully without overheating. If you are a DIYer who does simple projects at home, then you will probably be able to use a smaller motor instead.
The Type of Wheel
There are a number of different types of wheels that you can get for a bench grinder, the ones that you select will depend on the projects that you will need to take on in the future. Some are designed to cut while others simply polish. Here are some of the different types that you can choose from:
- A rough stone is great for repairing and reshaping many of the tools that are in your toolbox.
- A smooth stone is great for flattening tools and removing inconsistencies in the metal.
- A buffering stone is ideal for removing rust and making metal shine.
- A white sand quartz stone is typically used on brass and copper materials.
- An aluminum oxide stone is perfect for shaping steel.
Type of Cooling System
When you are cutting and shaping metal, it tends to get hot, which is why it is important to have an adequate cooling system on your bench grinder. Some bench grinders have a cooling system that is built into the machine that allows you to sharpen and polish metal without needing to cool it off in any way. Others overheat quickly, so you may need some metal shavings or cool water to cool it the tools off occasionally.
Wet grinding is an option that keeps your tools wet as you grind them. This wetness helps keep the friction between the tool and the wheel down, so it does not overheat. Since the tool stays cool, you will be able to sharpen your tools much more quickly and efficiently.
Ability to Sharpen
After a lot of use, your grinding wheel is going to lose some of its ability to sharpen tools. The bench grinders come with a diamond cutter that is designed to sharpen the wheel and make it shape your tools like it is brand new again. When you are able to sharpen the wheel yourself, you will not have to replace it quite as often, which will help you save money over time as well.
Ability to Illuminate
If your power tools are located in the dark corners of your basement or tool shed. Then you may want to consider a bench grinder that is able to provide its own light. Improving your visibility while you are working is a great way to ensure that an accident does not occur because you were working in a less than ideal lighting situation.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a lot of great bench grinders available for you to consider. They all offer the same base functionality, but some have more complex cooling systems, motors, and grinding wheels that could be useful. You need to select a machine that will last for years so that you can get the best value from your purchase. Who knows, maybe someday your tools will be able to maintain their sharpness, but for now, the best way to shape and sharpen a tool is with a bench grinder. Which one will you choose?
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