TOP-5 Best Bench Grinders

What is the best bench grinder? The first thing to consider is power. The most appropriate option is a machine delivering 3,450 rpm. There are more powerful motors but such grinders are more expensive and the average handyman hardly needs to pay extra money for extra power. At the same time, much depends on what kind of projects you are going to do. For example, polishing does not require high speeds and 1,300 rpm motors could be enough for this purpose. Another essential feature is the wheel diameter, which also affects the grinder's performance. The wheel's size varies from 3 to 12 inches, but we recommend you to look for the middle ground. We believe that the Jet 577126 Shop Grinder meets these criteria best.

Why have we chosen it? With a weight of just 52 pounds, this tool is compact yet pretty powerful so that you can effectively perform any project. This is a corded unit that operates at a speed of 3,450 rpm and has a 5 amp, 1/2 HP motor. It is a dual-option grinding and wire brush wheeled DIY tool. Whether you need it for sharpening, deburring, smoothing or polishing, the machine will cope with the task perfectly. The unit uses a 6-inch wheel with ½ ”arbor and has rubber mounts minimizing vibration. Made from high-quality materials, the grinder has a durable cast iron base with totally enclosed pre-lubricated ball bearings.

You don’t need to use tools professionally to reap the benefits of a bench grinder. A bench grinder is an efficient and time-saving multipurpose tool that efficiently sharpens and shapes blades, files, sands and polishes.

Types and Uses for Bench Grinders

A Versatile Bench Grinder

A versatile bench grinder offers a variety of (variable) speeds, features and accessories. Depending on the bond and grade of the grinding wheel, it may be used for sharpening bits, chisels, and gouges (i.e.: saws, chains), de-burring, cleaning or polishing.

A Bench Saw Chain Grinders

A bench grinder can make quicker, sharper, more accurate work of sharpening your saw chains. Generally bench saw chain grinders are high volume tools. They may be wall or bench-mounted, are single-wheeled and have a chain clamping vice. Features may include a built-in work light, hands-free hydraulic assist and self-centering clamping vice.

A Bench Grinder for Drills

You can give your drill bit “new life” by sharpening it on your grinder using the proper bench grinder attachment. Drill grinding attachments with angle adjustment gauges help you match the drill bit's point angle. Some attachments pivot to allow easier grinding of both sides of the drill bit.

A Bench Grinder for Saw Blades

If you have many saw blades to sharpen, you may invest in a saucer wheel for your bench grinder. A saucer wheel has a unique grinding profile that is efficient for “non-machining” areas like saw blades. A standard variable speed grinder also allows you to adjust the speed to your project.

A Bench Grinder with a Polishing Belt

Some bench grinders are equipped with an adjustable horizontal / vertical belt that allows you to sand as well as finish and polish. It has sufficient horsepower, brushless motor and cooling fan and offers a dust control feature.

An Angle Bench Grinder

Bench grinders and angle grinders are different tools. Multipurpose bench grinders have two wheels and are primarily for sharpening and honing. Multipurpose angle grinders have one, faster rotating wheel that is easier to handle and control and primarily used for finish grinding. Angle cut consistency depends on the operator.

A Grinding-and-Polishing Machine

These multipurpose tools have a coarse wheel with shield on one side for grinding and a flexible shaft on the other side. They may be higher horsepower and variable speed to ensure efficient grinding as well as polishing. There should be a means of dust collection and control (i.e.: personal dust mask, mechanical collection).

What Features Are Important In Bench Grinders?

Power

The average rough, gray-wheeled bench grinder motor is approximately 3,450 rpm. Some models have more powerful motors for grinding. A less expensive, lower speed 1,750 rpm bench grinder typically has friable white grinder wheels that reduce overheating and sharpen better.

Bench grinder power is affected by torque and rotational speed. Six-inch bench grinders typically have 3.1 amp motors; 8-inch models require approximately 4.8 amps.

Maximum Rotations / Minute (rpm)

Typical rotational speeds are: 4,000-6,000 rpm for sanding; 1,300-2,100 rpm for polishing; 300-1,800 rpm for wet sanding. Small changes in speed can produce significant increases in force. Centrifugal force quadruples when rotational speed doubles. Rotational speed and energy decrease as the wheel abrasive is reduced by torque caused by the operator's feed force and grinding. The more feed force the operator applies, the lower the rotational speed.

Wheel Diameter

The correct wheel diameter affects the bench grinder's overall rotational speed (rpm) and your surface feet per minute (sfm) production. Straight wheels used for bench grinders vary in size from 3 inches to 12 inches wide and produce a slight hollow ground.

Trusted Bench Grinder Brands

It is important when buying any workshop tool to purchase a reputable brand. There are many good bench grinders on the market. Quality and customer service distinguish some of the lesser-known competitor brands from big brands such as Craftsman, DEWALT, Delta, Baldor, Jet, Porter Cable, WEN, and Ryobi.

Craftsman has been a recognized, long-standing USA tool brand. They have offered reliable, high-performance tools for 90+ yrs. with a three-year warranty on their grinders. This Сraftsman bench grinder is a professional-grade tool and used for a variety of grinding applications.

DEWALT is a well-known, trusted brand that offers durable, quality easy-to-use bench grinders. This Dewalt bench grinder boasts effective overload protection and a 3/4 HP induction motor.

Baldor (part of ABB Group) is known as a maker of reliable, high-quality and quiet bench grinders that promise a long life. This Baldor bench grinder allows for vertical and horizontal adjustments.

Jet bench grinders are more expensive but they offer “the best” high-powered 8-inch DIY model on the market. This Jet bench grinder is very powerful and suitable for industrial-grade use.

WEN products offers a two-year warranty and nationwide network of service technicians. They offer one of the best affordable small-job bench grinders on the market. This WEN bench grinder is amazingly lightweight while delivering 3450 rpm.

There are also other quality models from other brands, such as the Ryobi bench grinder, Porter Cable bench grinder, and the Delta bench grinder.

Best Bench Grinder Reviews

Below, you will find a review of the TOP-5 best bench grinders at a price ranging from $ 50 to $ 200. Depending on your needs, you may choose a powerful professional-grade machine or a more portable and affordable option. A model with variable speeds will allow you to sharpen tools slowly and remove rust at higher speeds.

1. Jet 577126 Shop Grinder | Best Jet Bench Grinder

The compact UL-listed Jet 577126 bench grinder is a dual-option grinding and wire brush wheeled DIY, small workshop tool. It has a durable cast iron base with totally enclosed pre-lubricated ball bearings to enable it to equally perform high-quality sharpening, de-burring, smoothing, polishing and precision machine grinds under high-demand.

The Jet 577126 bench grinder is run by a powerful, quick-rev, 5 amp, 115V, 3,450 rpm 1/2 hp motor. It typically uses a 6-inch wheel with ½ ”arbor.

The unit also features rubber mounts that prevents movement and minimize vibration, cast iron wheel guards, large, quick adjustment eye shields and a 2-in. (OD) dust port located at the back of the grinder.

Jet: Check the current price

2. Rikon Professional Power Tools | Best Slow-Speed ​​Bench Grinder

The powerful, single-speed Rikon 80-805 is a slow-speed bench grinder suitable for DIY, small carpenter, carver and crafting workshops. Its slower speed, which reduces heat build-up, and diamond wheel dresser / sharpener make it well-suited for sharpening. It has a sturdy cast iron base and is operated by a 3 amp, 120V, 1,750 rpm 1/2 hp motor.

This high-quality grinder also includes one 8-inch (1 "x 8") 60-grit and one 8-inch 120-grit white, aluminum oxide wheel. Each wheel has a ⅝ ”arbor and measures 6½ inches from the center of the 2 in. long shaft to the top of the workbench.

The machine also features rubber feet that minimize vibration, a designed groove for sharpening drill bits and adjustable eye shields and spark resisters.

RIKON Power Tools: Check the current price

3. WEN 4280, 5-Amp 8-Inch | Best WEN Bench Grinder

The quiet, variable-speed WEN 4280 is a compact bench grinder that is suitable for small workshops but powerful enough for heavy-duty jobs. Its slower speed reduces heat build-up making it ideal for sharpening while its high speeds effectively de-bur and remove rust and other materials faster.

It has a sturdy cast iron base and is operated by a variable speed 5 amp, 120V, 2,000 to 3,400 rpm, 3/4 hp motor. This high quality grinder also includes one 8-inch (1 "x 8") 80-grit wheel for general purpose grinding and one coarse 8-inch (1 "x 8") 36-grit wheel. Each 8-inch wheel has a ⅝ ”arbor.

This reliable WEN 4280 bench grinder also features mounting holes that prevent wobble and movement and minimize vibration, a flexible work light and adjustable eye guards.

WEN: Check the current price

4. DW756, 6-Inch | Best DEWALT Bench Grinder

The popular, heavy-duty DEWALT DW756 is an affordable, high-speed bench grinder model that is ideal for quick cleaning and rust removal, sharpening and de-burring. It has a durable, industrial-grade, cast iron base and motor housing for extended life. It is operated by a 110V, 3,450 rpm 5/8 hp motor. This reliable grinder also includes one 6-inch 60-grit and one 6-inch 36-grit wheel. There is a 12½-inch span between wheels that accommodates larger grinding projects.

The easy-to-use DEWALT DW756 bench grinder also features precision-tooled adjustable aluminum tool rests and rear wheel guard exhaust ports for smoother operation. It has few features but DEWALT offers a variety of accessories that allow you to expand your grinding / polishing options.

DEWALT: Check the current price

5. Performance Tool 3 ”W50003 | Best Portable Bench Grinder

The 3-inch, variable-speed Performance W50003 bench grinder and buffer is a Wilmar Corporation product. It is a portable, light-duty, hobby tool that is operated by a 110V, 120W, 0 to 10,000 rpm 3/4 hp motor. The 31-inch arm allows greater maneuverability. This easy-to-use bench grinder and buffer comes with ten assorted 1/8 "shaft grinding stones.

Performance Tool: Check the current price

FAQ

What is a bench grinder?
A hand-grinding machine, attached to a shop benchtop, that has abrasive, heavy stone wheels commonly used to hand-grind (or polish) various tools or items.

How do you use a bench grinder?
Attach the type of (coarse) wheel for the work you want the grinder to do (i.e.: sharpening, polishing, cleaning, etc.). Place the item against the front of the wheel and keep it moving. Grit and constant movement minimizes heat and accomplishes your end goal.

How do you remove a disk from a bench grinder?
Power "off". Unscrew the wheel shield (if applicable) and the nut that holds the wheel. The right wheel nut unscrews by turning it toward the front of the grinder; the left wheel nut unscrews by turning it away from you. Remove the nut, holding washer and disk.