They are like a spinning grindstone and available in different wheel sizes (6-inch and 8-inch) with different power ratings. Though they are simple tools, bench grinders have to be purchased with careful consideration. With so many options, it is can be tough choice to settle down with a choice. If you are experiencing the same, we recommend checking out the main factors mentioned here. Wheel Size: Different bench grinders differ from each other in terms of their wheel size (diameter of the grinding wheel). A 6-inch and 8-inch are two common wheel sizes available for bench grinders, in which 6-inch is designed for DIYers to sharpen, clean, polish and repair gears and tools. 8-inch is meant for professionals for complicated grinding tasks. 8-inch is a bit expensive, yet slower than the 6-inch model. Motor Power: The inside motor of a grinder will affect its overall performance. The higher the motor power rating, the better and faster the machine will perform.
A grinder with ½ or ¾ HP is required to perform low-intensity jobs, while a grinder with a 1 HP motor is essential to do heavy-duty projects. A 6-inch grinder has a motor with ¼ HP (around 2.1 amps power), whereas an 8-inch grinder has ¾ HP (around 5 amps power).
Speed: It is measured in terms of revolutions per minute (RPM), which depends mainly on the motor power. For cutting hardened steel or stronger metals, you need a grinder having a faster speed wheel with 3000 RPM, while for working with wood, you will require a slow speed grinder with 1750 RPM. Choose it wisely as per your work requirement. For more information and detail specifications, we recommend you to read our “Buying Guide”. Using the same information, we are here with a list of some top-notch bench grinders after thorough analysis. Read on to know how to choose your best bench grinder as per your requirement.
Best Bench Grinders
8 Best Bench Grinders Reviews
1.Wen Bench Grinder
WEN is known for making affordable and budget power tools of all kinds, including a bench grinder for users who are on a budget. The WEN 4276 bench grinder is present in the 1st position in this article as it is the cheapest option present here. Although, unlike other budget bench grinder options out there, this offers various handy things to the user. As a result, you get a high value for money with this bench grinder as it is decently powerful for a lot of users with its 6-inch grinding wheel size. It also means that the overall form factor of this bench grinder is quite small and compact. As for its electric motor, it uses a 2.1 amp electric motor that is to be expected for the given price. This motor offers a decent motor speed rating of 3450 RPM that should be more than enough for the given grinding wheel size. Even though this is a budget bench grinder, you still get a 2-year long warranty with it that is always great to have. That being said, its build quality could have been certainly better. Best Features:
Motor power rating of 2.1 amps Grinding wheel size of 6 inch Motor speed rating of 3450 rounder per minute 2-year long warranty Small and compact form factor 40-watt power consumption rating
Pros:
Affordable price tag with various features for a high value for money Offers decent performance for a small and compact bench grinder Easy to use controls for adjusting grinding wheel speed
Cons:
Average build quality Motor could have been slightly more powerful
2. Dewalt Bench Grinder
Dewalt is one of the oldest brands of power tools out there that is known for making powerful and heavy-duty power tools of all sorts. Dewalt’s DW758 bench grinder is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is one of the most powerful options present in this article. This is due to the reason that it offers a highly powerful 4.2 amp electric motor for powering its grinding wheel. As a result, you get a high 3600 RPM motor speed with this grinder wheel. And it offers this along with a large 8-inch grinding wheel size. Since Dewalt is known to be quite reputable, you also get a 3-year long warranty with this bench grinder. Its build quality ensures that you can keep using it for a long time without facing any issues. Unfortunately, this bench grinder is on the larger side and quite heavy as well. It is large because of the 12 ½ inch distance between its two grinding wheels for ergonomics and ease of use. Best Features:
Motor power rating of 4.2 amps Grinding wheel size of 8 inch Motor speed rating of 3600 rounds per minute 3-year long warranty Great build quality for longevity 12 ½ inch distance between two grinding wheels
Pros:
One of the best performing bench grinder models Offers easy to use controls for easily adjusting grinding wheel speeds Powerful and efficient 4.2 amp electric motor for a proper balance
Cons:
Quite large and bulky bench grinder
3. Rikon Power Tools, Bench Grinder
You can find a wide range of power tool options from Rikon that are highly durable and reliable, just like its bench grinder model. The Rikon bench grinder is the most durable and reliable option present in this article that is much better than all other options out there. This is possible due to the fact that it offers a 5-year long warranty to the user for peace of mind. You also get an excellent build quality with it that is great for longevity. You get all of this without paying an extra premium price. Talking about its performance, you get a large 8-inch grinding wheel in this bench grinder. This grinding wheel can easily perform at decent speeds with the help of its 3 amp electric motor. Unfortunately, this electric motor has a high power consumption that can be an issue for a lot of users out there. It’s motor speed rating is also quite low at just 1750 RPM. Best Features:
Motor power rating of 3 amps Grinding wheel size of 8 inch Motor speed rating of 1750 rounds per minute 5-year long warranty Excellent build quality for peace of mind
Pros:
Most durable and reliable bench grinder present here Good performing 3 amp electric motor Small and compact design with 2 grinding wheels for high flexibility
Cons:
Low motor speed rating of 1750 RPM High power consumption electric motor
4. Bucktool Bench Grinder
When compared with other bench grinders and their brands mentioned in this article, Bucktool is a much smaller brand that makes powerful models. Bucktool’s bench grinder is one of the more premium bench grinder models out there. It uses a 60 grit and a 120 grit oxide wheel that reduces heat build-up. Both of these grinding wheels have a large size of 8 inches that is more than enough for most users out there. You also get a 3.1 amp electric motor in this bench grinder that is quite similar to the Rikon bench grinder mentioned earlier in this article. A great thing about this bench grinder is that it has various adjustment options that ensure that you move and change things as per your needs. Unfortunately, this one is nowhere as reliable as the Rikon bench grinder. Not only is the build quality on the average side, but you only get a 1-year warranty with it. This also makes this bench grinder quite expensive when compared with similar options out there. Best Features:
Motor power rating of 3.1 amps Grinding wheel size of 8 inch Motor speed rating of 3450 rounds per minute 1-year long warranty Multiple adjustments for flexibility and precision usage Small and compact form factor for ease of use
Pros:
Silent and efficient ½ HP electric motor Great performing 8-inch grinding wheels Highly stable with case aluminum base and support structure
Cons:
Only a 1-year long warranty Build quality could have been much better Highly expensive price tag for the given features
5. Jet Bench Grinder
Jet is another brand of power tools that is quite small and new in comparison to others that also make similar bench grinder options. This Jet 578008 bench grinder can be a great pick for a lot of users out there who are looking for a highly powerful model. It offers a highly powerful 4.1 amp electric motor to the user that should be more than enough for most users out there. Just per its name, this electric motor powers a large 8-inch grinding wheel for optimum performance. Just like most other options out there, you get a 1-year long warranty with this 1 HP electric motor. While the build quality offered by this bench grinder is quite decent, it is slightly large and bulky, and that is something that you should keep in your mind. It uses heavy-duty cast iron construction for peace of mind. Best Features:
Motor power rating of 4.1 amps Grinding wheel size of 8 inch 1 HP electric motor 2-year long warranty Cast iron base for extra stability Efficient and silent electric motor for silent operation Comes with CUS and CSA safety certifications
Pros:
Offers great performance from 4.1 amp electric motor Large grinding wheel for heavy-duty applications Easy to use bench grinder with simple control scheme and options
Cons:
A bit on the larger and heavier side Slightly higher price tag
6. Delta Bench Grinder
If you are familiar with powerful and heavy-duty power tools, then you must have heard about Delta Power Tools, as it also makes a highly powerful bench grinder. The Delta Power Tools 23-197 bench grinder is the most powerful option present in this article. This is possible due to its large-sized grinding wheel. It uses an equally powerful electric motor for power that is rated at 5 amps. Due to this, you can go up to 3400 RPM motor speed while using the 30 grit and 60 grit grinding wheels offered by this bench grinder that is more than enough even for industrial and heavy-duty usage. Another great thing about this bench grinder is that it is highly durable and reliable. It offers an excellent build quality that means that this bench grinder can easily last for a long time. You also get a 5-year long warranty with it that is the best when compared with various other bench grinder models out there. Its inbuilt water tray allows you to use fluid coolant along with it to get proper performance without any overheating issues. Best Features:
Motor power rating of 5 amps Grinding wheel size of 8 inch Motor speed rating of 3400 rounds per minute 5-year long warranty Excellent build quality for longevity Inbuilt water tray for ease of use
Pros:
Best performing bench grinder present in this article Highly durable and reliable option with a 5-year long warranty Inbuilt shield and water tray for ease of use while using coolant
Cons:
A bit on the expensive side Grit could have been better
7. Ironton Benchtop Grinder
If you are familiar with powerful and heavy-duty power tools, then you must have heard about Ironton, which is one of the best brands manufacturing highly powerful bench grinders to tackle various tasks like grinding, sharpening, paint removal, and deburring quite easily. The Ironton variable speed bench grinder is the most powerful option present in this article. This is possible due to its large-sized (8-inch) grinding wheel. It uses an equally powerful 3/4 HP electric motor for power that is rated at 5 amps and has a cord length of 6 feet. Due to this, you can get variable speed adjustment from 2000 RPM to 3400 RPM motor speed while using 8-inch 60-grit aluminum oxide grinding wheels offered by this bench grinder which is more than enough even for industrial and heavy-duty usage. Another great thing about this bench grinder is that it is highly durable and reliable. It offers an excellent build quality with a cast iron base to reduce vibration, an 8-inch wire wheel for versatility, a wheel dresser, light bulb to illuminate the work area. All these will make this bench grinder last easily for a long time. You also get a 1-year long warranty with it that is a bit less when compared with various other bench grinder models out there. Its inbuilt water tray allows you to use fluid coolant along with it to get proper performance without any overheating issues. Also, its adjustable eye shield will let operate the machine safely. Best Features:
Powered by 3/4 HP, 5 amps 110V motor. Grinding wheel size of 8 inch The motor speed rating of 3400 RPM Inbuilt water tray for ease of use Comes with a 1-year long warranty Decent build quality for longevity
Pros:
Best performing budget-friendly bench grinder A highly durable and reliable option Silent and efficient 3/4 HP electric motor Highly stable with cast iron base and support structure Inbuilt water cooling tray and wheel dresser for ease of use
Cons:
Build quality could have been better. Only a 1-year long warranty.
8. Genesis Bench Grinder
At the end of this article, we have Genesis, which is another power tools brand that should be considered before buying a bench grinder. Genesis’ GBG800L offers a decent performance when compared with other similar options out there. Just per its name, it offers a large-sized 8-inch grinding wheel to the user. This wheel is powered by a 2.1 amp electric motor. While it could have been certainly better, you cannot expect more at this given price tag. As you would expect from any other budget offering, it comes with a 2-year long warranty. Thankfully, its build quality is quite great for the given price tag and offers decent strength. Its ½ HP electric motor is quite silent and reliable. Best Features:
Motor power rating of 2.1 amps Grinding wheel size of 8 inch ½ HP electric motor 2-year long warranty Small and compact design Decent build quality for peace of mind
Pros:
Large-sized bench grinder for a budget price Decent build quality for the price Good performance from the 8-inch wheel and ½ HP motor
Cons:
A bit on the expensive side Grit could have been better
What to Consider Before Buying a Bench Grinder:
One has to choose the best bench grinder based on their type of grinding, sharpening, polishing or cleaning task. If not sure about what features to look for while shopping for a bench grinder. Here are the factors that have to be taken into account when purchasing a bench grinder.
1. Types:
Bench grinders are used widely to grind away rust from steel or sharpen a blade, which makes it the most essential tool in the auto-mechanic workshops, DIYers, woodworking craftsperson or others using lots of hand tools. They come in various types and a few most commonly used types are mentioned below.
Automotive –
Automotive workers (both mechanics and auto-body workers) use the bench grinder on regular basis for removing rust from bolts and nuts and for polishing chrome engine, steel, and body parts. However, a bench grinder built for the automotive industry will feature quick spinning speeds of up to 3450 RPM. Cleaning and polishing auto parts on a bench grinder will save a lot of time and effort over done manually (by hand).
Woodworking –
Usually, craftsmen and woodworkers rely on sharp hand tools like chisels and planes to create well-fitting dovetail joints and to smoothen the rough wood. Bench grinders made for woodworkers have a slower spin speed compared to the above automotive ones. Here the tempered steel in hand tools gets damaged due to high heat resulting from fast-spinning grinding wheels. Go with a grinder having a slower spin of 1725 RPM wheel to sharpen tempered tools.
Variable Speed –
Choose a variable speed bench grinder when you want to dabble both woodworking and car/auto-body repair. This grinder will let you operate the tool at its highest speed when cleaning car bolts and nuts, while still, it let you reduce the speed to sharpen hand tools like chisels. Though is a bit expensive than single-speed counterparts, yet it is worth rather than buying two separate grinders for low and high speeds.
Portable –
Generally, standard bench grinders are heavier, which weighs up to 50 pounds and they perform well when mounted to a workbench to prevent its movement. While looking to carry a grinder along with you to various worksites, then purchase a small, lighter grinder (about 10 pounds) featuring rubber feet to prevent sliding when positioned on a worktable.
2. Wheel Material:
The wheels are made of different types of materials that include silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, wire wheels, ceramic aluminum oxide, and buffing wheels. However, the type of material used for its construction will let you know the tool’s performance. Mostly, bench grinder wheels (exclude buffer & wire wheels) will have one of these two grits – 36 grit (for aggressive grinding) and 60-grit (for finer grinding). Let’s get into its details.
Silicon Carbide –
It is a common type of grinding wheel suitable for a wide range of grinding tasks like sharpening cast iron and lawnmower blades. With its quickly heat up nature, they may ruin the temper in high-quality woodworking tools, such as hand planes and chisels.
Aluminum Oxide –
Since they won’t heat up as faster as silicon carbide wheels, they are specially designed to grind hard metals like alloy steel or carbon steel, which we found commonly in hand tools.
Wire Wheels –
This type of wheel is made of brass and steel bristles, which makes it quite useful for faster cleanup of gunk and grease from auto valves and fittings. You can absolutely see this type of wheel mostly in a mechanic shop for automotive repairs and body work.
Ceramic Aluminum Oxide –
It is an abrasive wheel that is mainly used to grind away material from steel and other hard alloys. For instance, you can use this wheel while grinding off half of an axe head.
Buffing Wheels –
Since it is made with a variety of thick, brushed fabrics, they are meant for polishing steel or other metal items to offer a high shine. They are mostly used by auto-body workers to accomplish high shines on chrome automobile features like hubcaps while restoring a car.
3. Wheel Size:
Generally, these bench grinders are labeled by their wheel size, and this size is the diameter of the grinding wheel used by the bench grinder. The most common sizes are 6-inches or 8-inches in diameter. Even though both these sizes will perform in the same way, yet with small differences. Check which one suits best for your requirement. For low-intensity jobs, make sure to use a grinder with motor power of ½ or ¾ HP. For heavy-duty tasks, pick a grinder with a motor power of 1HP. The motor power as per the wheel size is as follows – For 6-inch grinders should come with motors around 2.1 amps of power, which is approximately ¼ HP. While 8-inch grinders can go with motors around 5-amps of power, which is approximately 3/4 HP. A bench grinder with 1HP motor power is considered the most powerful, yet they are used mostly in professional or industrial settings but not for DIY projects.
5. Motor Speed:
Though the speed of a grinder will rely on the horsepower of the motor, and it is measured in terms of revolutions per minute (RPM). A grinder wheel with a minimum speed of 3000 RPM will spin at a faster rate that let you cut through stronger metals and hardened steel. While choosing a grinder with a speed of at least 1750 RPM (slow speed) to cut through wood, mostly softer woods. Few models feature dual speed settings that let you choose a minimum RPM to a maximum RPM. Some models let you customize the speed within its range with its variable speed options. It is a flexible option that allows for a wide range of project applications.
6. Grit:
Usually, there are 3 main grit abrasive wheel sizes – 30, 60, and 100. However, the coarse 30-grit wheels are ideal for general sharpening, yet if looking for smooth and accurate output, then go with fine wheels of 60 or 100 grits. Choose a coarser 30-grit wheel to sharpen or grind tougher materials, while going with a less coarse 60 or 100 grit grinding wheel for softer materials. So, always pick the right type of wheel as per your project requirement.
7. Size:
The size of the grinder will determine how powerful it is and what work it lets you do with the grinder. Small-size bench grinders are constructed for low-intensity grinding, shaping or sharpening metal. Alternatively, larger bench grinders are ideal to use for cutting, grinding, or sharpening larger tools and objects. Ensure to check the size and form factor of the bench grinder and also go through its detailed description to know for what jobs it suits to perform well before buying. A bench grinder with a smaller grinding wheel (or single grinding wheel) is small and compact that takes less space on the bench.
8. Safety Features:
There is a risk factor involved in operating all power tools (not excluding bench grinders). For instance, grinding iron will create sparks and send shards of metal flying. This makes it essential to wear safety glasses while using a grinder. Usually, these bench grinders have some safety features that reduce the risk, yet they won’t eliminate the overall risk associated with their operation. Here are some of the safety features to be followed for the safe and effective operating of grinders.
Eye Shields –
One can find these transparent plastic covers above the opening through which the grinding wheel touches the workpiece. It prevents any scraps from flying off and hurting the eyes. Upon regular usage, these eye guards get scratched or dirty, which means you have to replace them with a new one.
Spark Arrestors –
These are small steel plates that are placed between the eye guards and wheels. They are intended to avoid sparks from flying all over the workshop. There still have sparks, which means you have to keep flammables at a distance of few feet away from a bench grinder when using them. However, the spark arrestors keep the sparks from flying too far.
Dust Exhaustion –
One has to use dust exhaustion systems, ports or vents to get rid of dust and debris that forms during the grinding process and if inhaled may harm your health. Also, it maintains visibility that let you see you working with the grinder.
Cooling –
If your grinder is a wet grinding machine, which comes with built-in cooling systems to keep the machine cool. Or else, if the grinder is not a wet grinding machine, then you need to use a pot or bucket of water to dip the workpiece in it to deter the machine from overheating.
9. Color:
The wheel’s color will let you identify the type of job you can do with the grinder. Here are some suggestions you have to follow for doing perfect work.
Brown wheels are perfect for heavy fettling and trimming. White ones are suitable for sharpening Grey ones are ideal for every day grinding. Green ones are for fine grinding and they work well with blades and drill bit or anything made from silicon carbide (like carbide tools).
10. Mounting:
Most of these bench grinders are directly mounted to a pedestal stand or bolted to a worktable surface. However, a model mounted on a separate stand is quite beneficial, why because it won’t take up any worktop space.
11. Portability:
When it comes to portability, this bench grinder won’t offer lots of flexibility and the workpiece has to be carried to it. While looking for a portable, handheld option, you have to choose an angle grinder.
12. Wheel RPM Rating:
The maximum RPM rating of the wheels are given on a label, and for a safe and effective operation, the RPM of the grinder should match with this value. Also, you may find a tag with a note that states the maximum operating speeds that specified on the wheel’s label should not be exceeded. However, over-speeding the grinding wheel will result in it to explode.
13. Durability and Warranty:
The durability and reliability of a bench grinder will ensure its longevity, and to know its durability, you have to look at its build quality. A grinder using cast iron for its base is highly stable and sturdy. Also, check the warranty duration offered by the manufacturer on their products. While most options out there come with a 1-year or 2-year warranty, some are reliable and durable options that offer a 5-year long warranty that lasts easily for a long time.
14. Accessories:
There are some add-on features that are specially designed to make the grinder use with ease. Here are some of the common accessories that you have to check while purchasing the grinder.
LED lights in a grinder will illuminate the work area for a clear and better vision of the workpiece and what you are working on. Tool rests, where the operator can brace a blade or knife to keep it steady when grinding. It is a common accessory found in all bench grinders. A water tray near the grinder’s bottom to dip a chisel (or other items) after grinding will cool it off. Rubber feet (especially on portable models) will prevent the grinder from sliding across a worktable while operating a grinder.
How to Use a Bench Grinder?
One can easily gain expertise or skill on its usage with a bit of practice. All you need is steady hands and precision to make it use correctly. Or else, you may sharpen the tools in the wrong way or make oddly or uneven shaped workpieces. Ensure to wear proper work gear like safety goggles or gloves before starting a bench grinder. It is essential to know the type of wheel you need to use for your task. Usually, wheels vary in coarseness levels, which makes them suitable for various applications. After determining the required wheel, you need to turn on the bench grinder and wait till it starts rotating at its maximum speed. Then pick an item or object you are looking to grind by getting in contact with the spinning wheel. Ensure to maintain at an acute angle to the wheel – 25° or 30°. Initially, avoid pushing or bringing the object too close to the wheel. Now move the object slowly towards the wheel, so that you won’t end up overdoing it. While grinding the metal, the grinder tends to get hot in the process, and this heat might damage the tool or object, which is quite essential for proper usage of the bench grinder. So, you have to keep a pot or bowl of water handy to stop the grinding often and dip the tool into water. If dealing with small objects, make sure to use pliers to hold them to prevent fingers from getting close to the spinning wheel. Also, it is a bit difficult to handle small objects while wearing work gloves. So, prefer to use pliers for a better grip over those small objects/items. While sharpening the tool’s blunt edge, the sparks will fly downwards. Alternatively, the sparks will fly upwards when the tool gets sharp enough.
Mounting Tips of a Bench Grinder:
If there is a space available on the workbench, most people like to mount a new bench grinder to keep them stable when smoothing or sharpening the parts and tools. Generally, bench grinders are heavier, which means bolting them to worktable within the holes given in their base is ideal. Here are some tips that let you know how to mount a bench grinder properly.
Locate the bench grinder where you want to place it on the workbench. Mark all the four base holes of the grinder on the workbench by using a pencil. Then use a drill machine to drill through those pencil marks. Insert bolts via its base holes, and you drilled holes in the workbench to attach the bench grinder. Finally, secure the bolts in place with provided nuts.
Conclusion:
Whether you want to sharpen a knife or sand down a given surface, a bench grinder is a highly powerful tool to do so. These offer highly powerful electric motors for powering their large grinding wheels without any issues. You can learn more about the best bench grinders listed above in this article since we have even mentioned their major features and options. You can also find a detailed buying guide in there that will take you through the various important aspects and factors of such bench grinders. If you are still confused, then you can pick up a bench grinder from our recommendations:
The Delta bench grinder is the most powerful option present in this article. It comes with a highly powerful 5 amp electric motor that is more than enough for powering its 8-inch grinding wheel. You even get a 5-year long warranty with it. But if you just want a highly reliable and durable bench grinder without paying a lot of money, then you can go with the Rikon bench grinder. Apart from offering a 5-year long warranty, you also get an excellent build quality with it that should easily last for a long time. You can also consider the WEN 4276 bench grinder if you are on a budget as it is the cheapest option mentioned in this article. Even though it is an affordable option, you get a 2-year long warranty with its 6-inch grinding wheel that is powered by a 2.1 amp motor.
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