A bench grinder is another must-have tool in your workshop other than the benchtop joiner and biscuit joiner. It’s a tool that is used to sharpen cutting tools and shaping metals before fitting and/or welding them. In this article, we’ll help you make the right choice by highlighting the most important factors and recommending the top products for the best bench grinder.
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Factors to Consider
1. Grinding Wheel
A grinding wheel comes in different types, but no bench grinder can fit all of them. Thus, before you choose the best bench grinder for you, you need to think of the majority of work you’ll be doing.
When you’ve determined the type of work you will frequently do with your bench grinder and the type of grinding wheel you need, select a bench grinder that can fit that type of wheel.
In this way, you can have more value for your money and get the best type of grinding wheel you can have.
2. Motor
Another thing you always have to consider when choosing power tools is, of course, the power capacity of the tool. For heavier tasks, like processing large and harder metals, you need to select a bench grinder with a more powerful motor.
On the other hand, for lighter tasks, a unit with lower power will do. Again, you have decide which type of work you will be doing before making the final choice.
3. Wheel size
When it comes to wheel size, you also need to consider the type of tasks you’ll use it for. However, the range from 6 to 8 inches can let you do most tasks. If you’re going to be using it for a lot of jobs, then choose a bench grinder with a wheel size that’s within that range.
4. Durability
Of course, I recommend buying a unit that will last you a long time, if not for a lifetime. Cheaper units can be easier to buy, but most of them will not last as long as you’d like it to be. Investing in a more expensive unit, on the other hand, can be a great way to make sure your bench grinder can last through a lot of types. You also need to apply this principle for other tools such as framing hammers.
Although, I cannot vouch for every bench grinder's durability, but I think it's safe to say that every bench grinder on this best bench grinder list is reasonably durable. Meaning, they will not fail nor break even after a few years of use.
However, I highly recommend that you maintain your machine through regular check-up and oiling.
Best Bench Grinders
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1. WEN 4276 6-Inch Bench Grinder
The first candidate for our best bench grinder list is a unit from WEN. This unit is highly recommended for home craftsmen because of its simple features, such as a reasonably powered motor, lightweight design, and a built-in worklight.
Pros
- Flexible worklight
- Powerful motor
- Lightweight
- Protective eye guards
- Durable cast iron base
- Quiet motor
- Adjustable tool rest
Cons
- Limited capacity of tasks
2. DEWALT DW756 6-inch Bench Grinder
If you’re looking for a more heavy-duty bench grinder, this DEWALT unit may fit your preferences. It features a powerful motor for heavier tasks, precision-machined aluminum tool rest, rear exhaust ports, and a durable cast iron base.
Pros
- Durable material
- Adjustable tool rest
- Powerful motor for most tasks
- Eye shields and spark deflectors
- Rear exhaust ports for smooth process
Cons
- May vibrate excessively
- Design may be a problem for some users
3. SKIL 3380-01 6-Inch Bench Grinder
This unit from SKIL is another well-powered bench grinder that can do all its intended tasks easily and efficiently. The key features you may want to look at is its power, built-in LED lights, adjustable tool rest, and rubber feet. In general, this is a good option for most craftsmen, both professional and non-professional.
Pros
- Rubber feet for stability
- Well-powered motor
- Built-in LED light
- Eye shields
- Durable cast-iron base
- Good for the budget
- Quiet motor
Cons
- Not recommended for heavy work
4. JET JBG-8B, 8-Inch Bench Grinder, 1HP, 115V 1PH (577102) with Stand
The fourth item on our list of best bench grinders is the JET JBG-8B 8-inch unit, a tool that will bring you stability in operation, protection, a powerful motor, and a very durable body. the only bench grinder with a versatile floor stand. These are the reasons why I highly recommend this for professionals or those who will be doing a lot of heavy work that includes tough metals.
Pros
- Variable grinding, fine and course grinding wheels
- Longer Life, pre-lubricated bearings
- Heavy-duty cast iron and steel construction
- Very powerful motor
- Large design to minimize vibration
- Adjustable tool rests
- Wide eye shields and spark guards
Cons
- Can vibrate a little at high speeds
- More expensive than other units with stand
5. Metabo DS 200 8-Inch Bench Grinder
There are a lot of good things to say about this Metabo bench grinder, and that includes its powerful motor and no-load speed, sturdy design, low-noise and low-vibration feature, and durable die-cast protective covers. Technically, this unit was design for professionals, but home users can use it as well for heavier work.
Pros
- Very durable
- Die-cast aluminum protective covers
- Protective cover bayonet lock
- Simple disc change feature
- Durable base
- Powerful motor for heavy tasks
Cons
- Less attention to tool rest
- Wobbles a bit
Conclusion
All the items on this list are of the best quality that is available on the market today, and you’ll find that most of them—if not all—will fit your preferences quite well. However, we only have to choose one for our top choice and another one for the best value product. For our choice, the judging criteria is that is should be satisfactory to all the factors to consider, as mentioned above.
For the top choice of this list of best bench grinders, the best choice for both professionals and home users alike would have to be the DEWALT DW756 6-inch bench grinder. What makes it the top choice?
Well, it has a powerful motor that can perform most tasks, it’s user-friendly, durable, and has features such as precision-machined tool rests, rear exhaust ports, and clear eye guards. Overall, it’s a great product for sharpening tools, removing rust, and all the other functions of a bench grinder.
The best value product for this list is the SKIL 3380. For the affordable price, this bench grinder can perform most tasks as expected, and features built-in work lights, rubber feet for stability, a reasonably powered motor, and adjustable tool rests for grinding.
These two products both excel in quality and the usefulness of their individual features. However, they may not be fit for industrial work or a lot of heavy grinding since they may not have the sufficient horsepower for that. But if you’re a DIY craftsman or a handyman wanting to try out a new power tool, this list can help you select the best bench grinder for you.
I hope this article was useful in your endeavor. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Don’t forget to share this with your friends as well. Thanks for reading!