Any artist that's been doing glass for any amount of time has absolutely built up a collection of tools and supplies that he or she will never be able to use, no matter how long they are at it. There are the cutters, pliers, glass, sundries, chemicals and so many more that I can't even mention. As we pick up more tools and gadgets it can turn a once neat workshop into a huge nightmare of a mess. There are some tools though, that no how many other gadgets we have, we will never be able to do without and not a day goes by that we don't use them. The perfect example of that, for most artists, is the stained glass grinder. A stained glass grinder smooths out edges that are rough after you've made the inital cut. If there was a tool that was worth the extra clutter, this one is it. We'll discuss some of the things you want to look for as well as look at some of the more popular companies that sell grinders. This will give you an excellent idea of the amount of options there are out there.
If this is your first exploration into buying a grinder, you basically want something that will grow with you, that's easy to use, and that is relatively inexpensive. There are a lot of grinders that are inexpensive to purchase, but not all of them are all that easy to use and can get the job done effectively. I'll break the options up between the three biggest companies that sell stained glass grinders. We'll discuss Gryphon first. On the beginner side, Gryphon has a very popular beginners grinder called the Gryphon Studio Grinder. This is a nice one and a very popular one for people just getting started, a lot of beginners actually come into my studio and know this one by name so they feel comfortable with it. The Studio Grinder is nice because the motor is powerful, it has a tower that acts as a cooling tower, and a couple of work surfaces depending on your project size. And, one of the criteria that we look for, it has a pricepoint that would qualify this as an entry-level product. Another popular model that's manufactured by Gyphon is the Diamond Grinder. This is similar to the Studio Grinder in the fact that it is often highly recommended by various class teachers as a great option for getting started. This grinder has a lot of nice features that make it probably the most popular grinder for beginners. If you've ever taken a class or instruction on stained glass, chances are you might have used this grinder while doing your projects. One of the things that people like about this grinder is that you can transport it very easily because of its size. It also has a surprisingly strong motor for something so small. The upside to this model is that its ultra easy to use which is exactly what a newbie is looking for.
One of the other popular companies that manufactures grinders is Inland. They produce a number of stained glass products and have a fantastic reputation in the industry. One of their popular entry level grinders is the Inland Aero Grinder. The nice thing about this grinder is that it has a fairly large work surface so its easier to work with large pieces of glass. And not only can it grind glass, it can also grinder plastic, ceramic, and stone so its perfect for crossing over into other crafts. The low price makes this model affordable to about everyone who wants to get started with a quality grinder. Inland takes their craft very seriously and has a slogan that they make what they would like to use themselves. Well, isn't that refeshing! A popular beginner grinder that Inland manufactures is called the Inland Impulse Grinder. The nice thing about this grinder is that it has add-ons available that can literally triple the power of the thing. One of the more popular add-ons is called the TWinspin. What this does is grind straight edge glass and allows you to miter the edges. It also has others, such as the Beveler Kit, which make it a good option for a grinder that's going to grow with you
Finally, Glastar is another quality company that produces grinders. They have been around since 1978 and they have attained a respect in the market that comes from producing the very best. They are typically an advanced artists choice when it comes to higher-end grinders, but they do have many entry-level products on the market which can work for beginners. A popular one is called the Glastar G12 and its great for someone just getting into the hobby. This is a product that has a lot of power for an entry-level machine. It simply doesn't slow down once you've got the grinder going. There is nothing worse than losing power on your grinder when you're in the middle of the project. Another great option from Glastar is called the Glastar G5 Diamond Star. This is a pretty basic option so only go this route if you really are unsure if this is something you are going to stick with. This option works best for a brand new student who is testing the waters in stained glass and doesn't want to invest much on equipment.
If you spend anytime looking on websites or reading reviews you can drive yourself crazy, so stick with the primary companies and find something that meets your needs and your budget. There are a few places you can look for a grinder, you can check out online auction sites, you can go to the nearest art supply stores, or you can order from one of the popular internet sites if you want some advice and the best possible selection If your grinder has power and torque, then you will likely be just fine, so keep an eye out for those two things. Some of the bells and whistles are nice, but remember what the purpose of the machine is and if it does its primary purpose well, then that's all that matters.