What can you do with a bench grinder?

If you’re asking, what can you do with a bench grinder, you’ve come to the right place. Bench grinders are great for anyone into DIY as they’re a versatile piece of equipment that can help you in a number of ways.

Basically a bench grinder is a two-wheeled system that can sharpen tools and equipment that have become dull; fix broken steel blades and polish and fix up small pieces of metal. With it, you can not only shape and sharpen metal, but you can also cut and clean it too!

Related Posts: How to Use an Angle Grinder to Cut Metal

Bench grinders do an excellent job of sharpening cutting tools such as tool bits, drill bits, chisels and gouges. They can also be used to shape metal prior to welding or fitting.

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Can you use a bench grinder on wood?

Yep you sure can – you can use a bench grinder to reshape or polish your wood project (but you will have to change the grinding wheel first). With bench grinding, you will always need the right wheel for the job you have in mind.

Bench Grinder Uses

Here are some areas around the house you may want to use your bench grinder:

Carpentry: a bench grinder can help smooth rough areas as well as level joints in furniture or large scale renovations.

Painting: with painting preparation is key. A bench grinder can act like a sander to level any swell or get rid of some old paint.

Flooring: if you need to do some DIY flooring quicker and easier, a bench grinder can help. You can remove grout and raise unwanted nail heads.

Plumbing: If you need to cut worn out pipes to help smooth them out, a bench grinder will come in very handy.

As mentioned earlier, bench grinders really are versatile and can be put to all sorts of uses:

• Sharpening tools (anything made from hardened steel like chisels and drill bits)
• Deburring tools
• Shaping wood or metal
• Removing rust from metal objects
• Reforming knife blades for special uses
• Cleaning or polishing workpieces

The Best Bench Grinder For Home Use

As bench grinders are a useful tool in your workshop, it makes sense to try and find the best one.

Choosing one can be tricky due to the various specs on offer. For example, why are some advertised proudly as slow speed, while others tout high RPM’s? Also, does variable speed matter? How much should they vibrate? How important is it to have a tool rest? Should you have an integrated work lamp?

Indeed there are many questions to consider before you want to hand out your hard earned cash. Hopefully we can help you figure out what your needs are as we have compiled a list of the top 5 best selling bench grinders that meet a wide variety of needs. What’s more, read beyond the reviews and you’ll find a buyer’s question and answer guide giving you all the tips and tricks you need for your bench grinder.

**Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, with no additional cost to you, I can earn from qualifying purchases. I sure do appreciate it as it helps to maintain this site.  Knowing me though, I’ll most likely buy a beer with it instead!  Of course you can buy these products in a retail store too.  Totally up to you!

Our Top 5 Bench Grinder’s Compared

5 Best Bench Grinder of 2019 – Our Reviews

WEN 4276 2.1-Amp 6-Inch Bench Grinder with Flexible Work Light – Top Pick

So I purchased this bench grinder by Wen (yep went out on a limb with the Wen brand here) mainly to maintain the blades on my ride on mower (and Wen is reasonably priced).

I purchased this with the WEN 4288 Cast Iron Bench Grinder Pedestal Stand with Water Pot as well and only recently got around to placing them together.

I must admit, some assembly was needed; however, it took just 5-10 mins so it wasn’t a big deal.

Setting up was extremely simple. The stand took around 3 minutes (it’s 4 set screws and one Philips screw) and it includes the equipment to install the mill too. The grinder took a little bit longer to put together, but nevertheless it was pretty easy.

The light that is installed on it is an excellent feature that I really like (but is more of a bonus as my workshop is well lit anyway).

Overall, this WEN Bench Mill will offer you good bang for your buck! The guards are very easy to relocate, light comes in handy to have and the 2 different wheel grits will conserve you time while putting a new side on your devices or lawn mower blades.

I am very happy with my new tool and will be surely sharpening up a few of my old chisels, screwdrivers and maybe even my scissors now that I have bought this beast.

If you would like to check the price of the WEN 4276 2.1-Amp 6-Inch Bench Grinder with Flexible Work Light , click here.

The Good:

• Quiet 2.1 amp motor
• 3450 RPM at no load
• Fast speed for deburring unwanted edges and rust removal
• Lightweight design weighs in at 16 lb
• Easy wheel guard removal for simple wheel changes
• Work light for maximum precision and visibility
• Includes: two 6-inch by 3/4-inch wheels: a 60-grit wheel for material removal and general-purpose grinding and a coarse 36-grit wheel for faster material removal.
• Adjustable eye guards included

The Bad:

• It is difficult to use on heavy duty industrial works

Rikon Professional Power Tools, 80-805, 8” Slow Speed Bench Grinder, Powerful Shop Table Tool, With Anti-Vibration Rubber Feet – Perfect for Sharpening

This grinder features good wheels – 120 grit as well as 60 grit. Machined flanges would be better, but both wheels run rather true right from the start.

It also comes with a decent diamond wheel dresser that you may want to use after it’s first installed.

Really for a 8inch slow speed grinder, you really can’t beat the price. It does have rubber feet but it can be bolted to a bench or stand. It doesn’t come with a light, but again for the low price I wouldn’t expect it to have too many bells and whistles.

One downside is the clearance for installing the mounting bolts. You will need to dismantle the wheels to gain access so a bit of an inconvenience here.

Overall, it is quiet and provides a smooth operation with minimal assembly. No

To check the price of the Rikon Professional Power Tools, 80-805, 8” Slow Speed Bench Grinder, Powerful Shop Table Tool, Perfect for Sharpening, With Anti-Vibration Rubber Feet, click here.

The Good:

• With powerful ½ HP Motor with 1750 RPM this slow speed grinder has more than enough power for small workshops and for carpenters, turners, carvers, and other crafts people working with hand tools.
• This grinders base is made of Cast Iron and features anti-vibration rubber feet. No mistakes will be made because of vibrations.
• This grinder is fully equipped with a diamond wheel sharpener and is ideal for sharpening operations since it reduces heat build-up.
• Built sturdy with cast iron base featuring anti-vibration rubber feet. Adjustable safety eye shield and spark resisters.
• Long 5 year warranty

The Bad:

• The machine sometimes vibrates when in use

DEWALT DW756 6-Inch Bench Grinder – Mid Range Bench Grinder

A best selling 6” grinder perfect for the DIY home user. The price is mid range but the quality is quite good.

It runs quietly and it must have excellent bearings/bushings too because it takes several minutes to run down once it’s turned off.

The guards and tool rests are functional (but for the price that you pay, I would expect this).

Some reviewers commented that their unit wobbles excessively but all agree, that this grinder needs to be bolted down. You might need to rotate the wheels for a better alignment.

Overall it is a nice little bench grinder that really is a best seller. Just make sure to bolt it down if you swap out a grinding disk for a wire wheel as you do not want it to vibrate like crazy. If you build your own base, do not extend it out past the wheels. If you do, you will not be able to remove the wheels because two of the screws holding the covers on are located on the bottom of the covers.

It is well built and sturdy with the same excellent quality you would expect from a Dewalt tool.

To check out the price of the DEWALT DW756 6-Inch Bench Grinder, click here.

The Good:

• Powerful 5/8 hp induction motor for heavy-duty grinding operations
• 3,450 RPM for easy and reliable high-speed material removal.
• Industrial cast iron base and motor housing provide durability and prolong life
• Precision-machined aluminium tool rests allow the user to accurately position work
• Includes: 36- and 60-grit wheels; eye shields; spark deflectors; tool rests; operating instructions

The Bad:

• No arbor lock

WEN 4280 5 Amp 8″ Variable Speed Bench Grinder with Work Light – Excellent For Grinding and Polishing

My dad bought this bench grinder after I told him I bought a Wen one too! He has a few of their tools (he likes the cheaper price tag) and hasn’t had any real complaints from the Wen brand. The 8-inch variable speed mill here by Wen seems to be another winner.

This grinder works really well for grinding and polishing. He changed the wheel it came with for a cable wheel and there were no problems with equilibrium or efficiency.

There was marginal vibration out of package however some is still noted. Upon closer evaluation both wheels were tottering center to left about a millimeter or 2. He took both wheels off, and noticed the left wheel was great yet the finer grit wheel was miss-shaped by a millimetre or so.

Nonetheless, he centered the bushings as best he could and also tightened it down truly well. At reduced RPM, it shakes but besides that it is great. The left wheel no longer wobbles however the right wheel still has a small wobble.

The grinder does not have a lot of torque (it takes a while to spin up) but works really well for grinding and polishing and the variable speed is pretty great. A decent little grinder that does the job it is meant for.

To check the price of the WEN 4280 5 Amp 8″ Variable Speed Bench Grinder with Work Light, click here.

The Good:

• Slower speeds maximize precision while high speeds help with fast material removal
• quiet 5-amp motor, expect quick startups and smooth performance.
• Flexible work light helps keep your workpiece illuminated during operation
• Sturdy cast iron base with mounting holes prevents wobbling and walking
• includes two 8-inch by 1-inch wheels: an 80-grit wheel for material removal and general-purpose grinding and a coarse 36-grit wheel for faster material removal.

The Bad:

• Has less power when more pressure is applied
• Need to turn the grinder on for the light to work

SKIL 3380-01 6-Inch Bench Grinder – Low Budget

My mate Peter has this bench grinder – but he doesn’t use it for grinding as much as for wire wheeling and polishing. From my observations and from what he tells me, the unit does it’s job but you do have to lean into it as it bogs down easily. Skil is normally quite good with their products so I would think that one with more power (the 8 inch perhaps) would work better.

It does run quietly – almost silent in fact. It’s solidly built but make sure all the bolts and nuts are tight before using. Peter noticed that one nut on the back (away from sight) vibrated off! He fixed it with a Philips head easily but thought I’d mention it.

The other thing I noticed is that the lights on each guard are pretty dim so I wouldn’t count on them too much.

In terms of performance, it does feel like this grinder could tackle almost any job with ease. I do like the rubber feet and it’s actually quite steady considering his grinder is not bolted down. This is a good sign as you don’t want a grinder to start shifting.

The assembly out of the box is pretty quick (about 5 minutes) and the grinder wheel seems like genuine quality. The motor casing is solid metal and is very well balanced with practically no wobble when it comes up to speed up.

I have a few other Skil power tools that have lasted for years and this one seems to be quite good for the very low price you pay. If you need to do heavy duty grinding, get a bigger more powerful grinder. This one is good for the average garage or workshop and has many favourable reviews.

If you would like to check out the price of the SKIL 3380-01 6-Inch Bench Grinder, click here.

The Good:

• Medium and coarse wheels for a variety of materials
• 1 Amp Motor with 3,450 RPM 1/3hp motor
• Built-In LED work lights over both wheels
• Adjustable tool rests for accurate grinding
• Rubber feet provides increase stability
• Runs quietly

The Bad:

• To add a buffing wheel you’ll need to remove the eye guard with the built in light

Bench Grinder Buyer’s Guide – What to consider when buying a bench grinder

Size, speed, and torque are the main staples to look for in most power tools. Bench grinders are no different here. Your budget will also need to be factored in as a starting point when you start your hunt for the right one for your needs.

Also, sometimes users have a particular need for their grinders, while others need a very versatile tool. For example, if you’re only going to be sharpening lightweight, precision tools, then get the best slow speed grinder you can for the money.

On the other hand, if you’re going to be doing a variety of different tasks, a powerful variable speed grinder in a larger size is going to suit better.

It’s highly important to get a quality bench grinder. This would be the most useful tip. As bench grinders need to withstand a lot of force, you don’t want one to buckle and seize up under pressure or not last the distance. Really if you are going to be doing heavy duty grinding, you need to make sure that the grinder has the speed and torque available to get the job done.

After all, no one wants to spend all day standing in front their bench grinder because of an inadequate comparison.

Bench Grinder Questions and Answers

Is it worth the investment to buy a more expensive bench grinder?

Like most things, it can be a case that you get what you pay for. Spending a bit more from a reputable brand, should give pleasing results. As a general rule, the higher price tag should come with a heavier build, higher or adjustable RPMs and more torque.

Other features like adjustable lights and higher quality wheels, is going to be more specific to your needs. Bear in mind that you’re going to have to replace the wheels at some point so perhaps paying more to have better ones in the first place, may or may not be the best decision. I always do some comparative shopping on compatible wheels before I decide.

And when it comes to lighting, it’s often more of a bonus than a necessity for me. If you have really good lighting in your workshop (and that’s where you will use it) then you may not need one as much as you think you will. If though you’re planning on working out the back of a truck with a grinder clamped on a work bench, then the added light would be well worth it.

Should I get a 6-inch or 8-inch grinder?

Although bench grinders come in a range of sizes, the two main types are the 6 and 8 inch. This size refers to the actual grinding wheels. In general the 6-inch is fine for home use since it has enough power to carry out more DIY tasks, The 8-inch wheel is better suited for commercial applications done by industry professionals.

Where would you find a bench grinder?

Bench grinders are standard equipment in metal fabrication and machine shops along with handheld grinders (such as an angle grinder and die grinder).

Should you wear gloves when using a bench grinder?

It is recommended to wear gloves if using a tool grip of adequate length to keep your hands several inches away from the face of the stone. Do not wear gloves while holding small pieces or using a wire wheel.

Can you grind aluminium on a bench grinder

No – definitely not. There are some materials that can cause major problems if you try to grind them. Aluminium melts easily and if you were trying to grind down aluminium, it would start to melt and the aluminium would coat the wheel.

Is faster always better?

Not necessarily. It depends on the purpose. Sharpening delicate tools at low speed helps to prevent overheating without the need for a water cooling tray. If in doubt, you can always choose a grinder with adjustable speeds.

Why does my grinder need wheel dressing?

Wheel dressing is a special requirement for grinders that needs to be done regularly using a dressing tool to keep the surface even and to reduce wobble. It will also expose fresh grit (this is important as you don’t want it to enter the motor and create problems).

What are the main safety issues around bench grinders?

Flying debris and sparks can both be safety issues with your grinder. It is recommended you wear eye shields (if you have them) and definitely safety goggles as well. If you see sparks, this is a sign that the edge of your tool is becoming very thin. While that may be ideal for a sharp tool, it also indicates that you should take extra care to ensure it isn’t at the breaking point.

Where should you stand when using a grinder?

First of all, you might want to wear safety shields and outer guards before use. Do not stand directly in front of a grinder during start up in case of wheel failure. Also, do not begin grinding until the stone has reached full operating speed and only use the face, never the side or a wheel to grind metal.

How often should I replace my wheel?

This will depend on the type of wheel, how often it is used and what it is used for. Wheels tend to last a long time, if they’re kept in good condition through regular dressing.

Remember, you don’t need to change a wheel as long as it’s performing its function properly. It will eventually wear down to an extent that renders it unusable.

How do you take the grinding wheel off a bench grinder?

First of all, locate the center arbor nut and unscrew in with a wrench. Hold the wheel in one hand so it doesn’t rotate. As the grinding wheel rotates toward you, the right side wheel nut is threaded as you’d typically expect and unscrews by turning the nut towards the front of the grinder.

If I buy a bench grinder, what else will I need?

Beside a bench grinder (choose a solid one with a sturdy base plus low vibration) you should also consider:

– A Tool Rest: an adjustable horizontal bar for supporting a hand tool when turning

– Mill Tires: You can choose between 36-grit, 60-grit, and also 100-grit stones.

– Buffing Wheel: A wheel that can refine blades and also buff up waxed wood job pieces.

– Pot or Pail of Water: This water will act as your method of cooling down a friction-hot piece of wood (or steel if you’re additionally utilizing the mill to develop your devices).

– Hand wear covers: This will secure your hand from wood that’s been grinded so much it has warmed up from the friction.

– Shatterproof glass: These glasses will allow you to see what you’re doing without stressing over triggers or dirt flying into your eye.

Final thoughts……

Bench grinders are the ultimate ‘do-it-all tool’ that will come in handy as part of your DIY workshop.

At the end of the day any tool should feel comfortable when you use it. Think about the work you need to do, and balance the power you want against the size and weight you can comfortably handle.

Of course, the number of the number of times you use the Bench Grinder and whether or not you’re using it for projects that require high amounts of power will also play an effect in overall durability.

Quick Links to Our Top 5 Bench Grinders

1. Wen 6″ Bench Grinder, Top Pick
2. Rikon 8″ Bench Grinder, Perfect for Sharpening
3. Dewalt 6″ Bench Grinder, Mid Range Bench Grinder
4. Wen 8″ Variable Speed Bench Grinder, Excellent for Grinding and Polishing
5. Skil 6″ Bench Grinder, Low Budget

What to see more reviews and buyer’s guides?  Check out some of our other products including;

miter saws, circular saws, jigsaws, chainsaws, reciprocating saws, power random orbit sanders, shop vacs, table saws and cordless drills.