While even the best bench grinder may be a little extreme to use for every DIY or home project, these handy tools are great for anyone who works with metal often or works in an industry that has to do with repairs with metal, such as auto mechanic work or construction.
These powerful tools can smooth away rough edges and polish metal surfaces, among other things. Bench grinders are also great machines to have on hand if you are into various crafts or hobbies, as bench grinders can absolutely lend a helping hand in jewelry making and even model crafting.
If you’re in the market for a brand new bench grinder, or you simply want to see the newest models out there, you’ve come to the right place. Within this article, we will give you a breakdown of the best bench grinders in today’s markets as well as give you a rundown of all the important specifications and factors that go into these grinding tools.
Top Three Picks
Editor’s Choice: DEWALT Bench Grinder, 8-Inch (DW758)
The DeWalt 8-inch bench grinder provides superior power for industrial-grade grinding needs. It has a rugged cast iron base and motor housing for extreme durability and prolonged life. These machines are the best choice in bench grinders due to their great price and wonderful versatility. You can use these machines in a variety of jobs, and you can change out the wheels to get your best grind possible.
Most Versatile: WEN 4280 5-Amp 8-Inch Variable Speed Bench Grinder with Work Light
The WEN variable speed bench grinder is the most versatile on our list because it can tackle all sorts of jobs from industrial to home projects. This machine also comes with a work light, so you have the versatility to work in the day or night without any issues. This is especially beneficial if you are working on a large-scale project, such as an apartment complex construction site, and you need to be sure you are able to see what you are grinding even with no internal electricity.
Best Bargain: Delta Power Tools 23-197 8-Inch Variable Speed Bench Grinder
The Delta 8-inch variable speed bench grinder will get you the best bargain due to the highly functioning machine with a decent price tag behind it. This grinder is just a little over 44 pounds and is made of stainless steel, so even though the price is a good deal, you are getting a high-quality product. While this product is a bit on the heavier side, this also means that you won’t get as much slippage with this machine and you can achieve the most precise grinding possible.
What is a Bench Grinder?
A bench grinder is a machine that comes with usually 6-inch or 8-inch grinding wheels that will grind down rough edges, smooth away burrs, polish metal surfaces, remove rust or even shape metal materials. You can use a bench grinder to sand down or polish all sorts of metals and even hardwoods sometimes. These machines come with grinding wheels that are fine or course depending on the type of job you need it to do. You can easily swap out the wheels in order to use a wheel that you need for that specific job at hand.
A bench grinder, to get to the bare bones of it, is basically two spinning wheels that are as powerful as their grit makeup. The higher the grit or the more coarse the grit, the more powerful that wheel will be. The finer the grit or the less course the grit, the easier the wheel will be for finer sanding or polishing. A higher grit wheel is mostly used on metal to remove rust, where a finer grit wheel can be used to buff or polish without being too abrasive.
What Can I Use a Bench Grinder for?
Bench grinders are typically used in the auto mechanic world for getting rid of rust or for polishing, but you can use a bench grinder in a myriad of jobs. You can use a bench grinder pretty much anywhere you need something polished, sanded, ground down or smoothed out, and on heavy materials such as a myriad of metals, wood, or other harder to work with surfaces. If you work with metal, you are going to want to invest in a bench grinder as they are powerful easy to use tools that will last you a lifetime if they are properly taken care of.
You can use a bench grinder on a car to remove old rust or paint, you can use it to sharpen tools such as yard tools or knives, and you can use a bench grinder to grind down metal or buff and polish metal. You can also cut wood or metal with these types of machines and be able to create shapes to the edges of woods and metals. With more delicate and smaller wheels, you can even use these bench grinders on models or jewelry, or any kind of hobby craft that would require grinding. Bench grinders can essentially be as powerful or as delicate as you need them to be with the proper wheel attachments.
How to Choose the Best Bench Grinder
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your next bench grinder, and these are just a few of the main factors to look into. Always remember that each bench grinder comes with the opportunity to switch out wheels, so research what types of wheels you will need before the start of any job so that you come in prepared. You would not want to use too much grit or abrasion on a delicate project, such as jewelry or wood, so it’s best to keep in mind that the heavier the grit, the more powerful the wheel will be. The finer the grit, the more delicate the wheel will be.
Wheel Size
The size of the wheel will help you determine what kind of job the grinder will be able to do. Most commonly, bench grinder wheels will come in 6 inch or 8-inch wheels. This size refers to the size of the actual grinding wheel. While these are the most typical, it is not uncommon to also use a 3 inches wheel for smaller projects and crafts. these wheels are great for sharpening knives, getting rid of old paint, scrub away grime or rust, and can even sand down metal and wood. These are great machines to have in your house so you can easily do all sorts of DIY projects without having to pay the fees of a handyman or contractor.
Wheel Type
The most common wheels are made from silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, ceramic aluminum oxide, wire, and buffing. Most bench grinders will have two installed wheels with one being a bit stronger than the other. The stronger or wheel with more grit is useful for tackling the more aggressive work.
Power
Some bench grinders will measure the volume of power by horsepower while others use AMPs. The bigger your grinding wheels are, the more power they will need. An industrial-grade grinding wheel, for example, will put out much more power than a buffing wheel, so make sure you know which wheel will be most appropriate for the job at hand.
Bench Grinder vs Angle Grinder
While a bench grinder may seem a lot like an angle grinder, an angle grinder can be used on more delicate surfaces such as wood and tiles. A bench grinder is better suited for metal works, such as on automobiles or steel cabins within a home or apartment complex. Bench grinders will take up much more power and will be able to scale higher capacity jobs, where an angle grinder is best suited for DIY projects or smaller-scale projects. Being able to grind more delicate materials such as glass, wood, and tile is perfect for at-home projects, while a bench grinder is great for metal works.
Best Bench Grinders
We’ve compiled a list of the best bench grinders in today’s markets so you can see just how advanced these machines have become. Whether you are looking for a brand-new product, or you are keeping a mental checklist as to what to look for in your next bench grinder, none of these products will steer you wrong.
DEWALT Bench Grinder
The DeWalt 8-inch bench grinder, aside from providing extreme durability for prolonged life, has a table grinder motor that runs at 3,600 RPM for high-speed material removal. This is a precision-based machine that comes with an aluminum tool rest to allow the user to work as accurately as possible. This machine also comes with rear exhaust ports in wheel guards for a smoother operation. There is a unique almost 13-inch distance between the wheels for a larger and stronger application base. This is a great machine for industrial grinding jobs and the induction motor to this grinder will provide plenty of power no matter how severe the job may be.
Pros:
- HP induction motor
- Rugged cast iron base
- Durable
- Will last you a long time
Cons:
- May be too heavy for some
- May be too wide for some
WEN BG4280 5-Amp 8-Inch Variable Speed Bench Grinder with Flexible Work Light
The WEN variable speed bench grinder comes with a nifty work light so you can easily work in the dark or an area that is more shaded. No more having to worry about not having enough access to light to get the job done. This machine comes with a variable speed motor that can range from 2000 to 3400 RPMs. The slower speeds on this machine maximize precision while the higher speeds help with quicker removal of paint or rust. This machine includes an 80 grit and 36 grit grinding wheel with a sturdy cast iron base with mounting holes in case you want to use this machine mounted.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Variable speed motor
- Slower and faster speeds
- Cast iron base with option of mounting
Cons:
- A little narrow than others
- On the heavy side
JET JBG-8B
The JET JBG bench grinder offers variable grinding for any kind of job in fine grit and coarse grit vitrified grinding wheels. This is a machine with a very long machine life as it is totally enclosed and comes with pre-lubricated ball bearings. This grinder is built for durability with its cast-iron wheel guards and dust vents. You will need to invest in this machine but rest assured that this investment will last you a lifetime. This grinder will also not shift as it has rubber mounts to prevent any kind of slippage or movement. This machine is the machine to get all kinds of jobs done safely as it Is CSA safety standard qualified and built to follow electrical requirements.
Pros:
- Variable grinding wheels
- Long machine life
- Built for durability
- No shifting
Cons:
- May be too expensive for some
- May be too heavy
Metabo – 8″ Bench Grinder
This Metabo 8-inch bench grinder comes with a no-load speed with an arbor size of one inch. This is a sturdy machine that is ideal for industrial use and comes with low noise and low vibration feel. This is a maintenance-free induction motor that is perfect for single-phase alternating currents. This robust die-cast aluminum protective cover will allow your making to only last longer. This grinder also comes with a quick cover bayonet lock for an easy disc change, so no having to stop for longer periods of time to change the wheel out.
Pros:
- No load speeds
- Sturdy machine
- Can be used in industrial settings or other
- Heavy
Cons:
- Expensive
- Better for industrial jobs
Delta Power Tools 23-197 8-Inch Variable Speed Bench Grinder
This Delta variable speed bench grinder is a great grinder machine due to that speed control that will give you convenience and versatility in grinding, sharpening, or polishing. You can control the speeds from 1000 to 34000 RPMs which will give you a smooth power control. This bench sander gives you a 5-amp induction style motor for a powerful performance. This machine also incorporates a 36 and 60 grit wheel for sharpening and for grinding purposes. This grinder also comes with a tool rest built into the surface so you will get a precisive angle each time you use it. The rests are adjustable and can easily be moved to cut all kinds of different angles.
Pros:
- Comes with a water tray to help you keep cool
- Variable speed control
- Upfront speed dial
- Will get correct angles each time
Cons:
- Quite heavy
- May be a bit too powerful
FAQ
What can I use a bench grinder on?
Bench grinders are best used for grinding down metal or to sharpen tools. It is not uncommon to use a bench grinder to help sharpen knives or other sharp-edged tools. Bench grinders are also great for removing dirt or gunk that builds up over time on metallic surfaces. These can be used on metal surfaces, wood, and other hard-to-use materials. You can even use a bench grinder on more delicate materials, such as woodworking and jewelry making.
Is a bench grinder safe to use on wood?
Yes, depending on the wheel. For wood, you will want to use a wheel that has more delicate grit so that you don’t split the wood due to too much pressure. The higher the grit, the more powerful the grinder can be, and this can break or ruin your materials if you are not careful with it.
How do I know which type of wheel to use on my bench grinder?
What’s great with every bench grinder purchase is that you will get a user’s guide that will help you determine just what types of materials your bench grinder can grind down. Being able to use different attachments of grinding wheels is just an added benefit as you can easily make your machine interchangeable and able to tackle so many different jobs without the risk of destroying the material you are working on or your machine.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve found this article useful in helping you on your way to your next best bench grinder. Any of these products that we discussed will give you a great machine that will last you a really long time if you take care of it properly. All of these machines have been tested and approved, and the customer reviews behind each of these grinders are testaments within themselves as to how great these products are.
Do you have any experience working with a bench grinder? Do you have any tips or tricks to share with others? We’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave your questions or comments in the sections below to help others get some insight into these types of tools and the purposes they serve.
The post Keep Metal Tools Sharp and Polished With A Bench Grinder appeared first on Home Decorating Trends - Homedit.
0 Commentaires