The Best Glass Grinders
A glass grinder is a must-have piece of equipment for producing stained glass artwork. These machines utilize rapidly spinning drill bits that sand down and shape pieces of stained glass for art pieces. If you're a novice glazier and don't know where to begin or what to look for in a high-quality glass grinder, let our exhaustive list of the best models on the market serve as your guide.
What To Look For
Before you purchase a glass grinder, there are a few key considerations to take into account. First, you’ll have to decide on a size. If you’re new to stained glass work and only intend on starting small projects, you won’t need to grab a glass grinder with a large grinding surface. Another important thing to consider is motor strength. Glass grinder motors with a higher RPM rate have faster grinder bits, thus creating smoother glasswork. Ultimately, you’ll want to find a glass grinder with enough power and surface area that you can take home without spending an arm and a leg. In our view, the grinder that exemplifies these qualities most closely is Godora’s. This impressive glass grinder manages to be portable and easy to store while still having a powerful 4200-RPM motor that can smoothly and reliably shape your glass. But if you’re looking for a grinder that’s a little more versatile, it would be hard to go wrong with Gryphon’s convertible glass grinder. Aside from being a magnificent high-end grinder, it also offers an adjustable grinding surface that tilts upwards, enabling you to use it from both a seated and standing position. Keep reading to discover more about our favorite glass grinders.
Godora Stained Glass Grinder Kit
Get in shape
This versatile grinder from Godora is well-suited for aspiring glaziers and veterans alike. Thanks to its powerful 4200-RPM motor, this grinder provides smooth glass-shaping without making tons of noise while it’s in use. One of the features we love most about Godora’s grinder is the unique spiral design of the grinder bit. This unorthodox bit shape automatically sucks water in, allowing you to use the machine without having to keep a wet sponge on the grinder bit.
Pros:
- Large protective shield
- Two grinder bits included (different sizes)
- Portable hex wrench included
Cons:
- The smaller grinding surface might make it difficult to work on larger stained glass projects
Anbull Mini Stained Glass Grinder
Portable and powerful
Despite its comparatively small size, Anbull’s glass grinder packs more of a punch than meets the eye. With a 4200-RPM motor and highly durable grinder bits, this beauty manages to be compact without sacrificing much in the way of torque. What’s more, Anbull provides an acrylic baffle above the grinder bit to protect your eyes from water splashes as you shape your stained glass piece. And thanks to its portable size, this glass grinder is exceptionally easy to store.
Pros:
- No sponge necessary
- The grinder bits wick water effectively
- Replacement grinding wheel is included
Cons:
- It can be difficult to find similar grinder bits for replacements
Inland Wiz CG Stained Glass Grinder
Build your vision
What we love most about Inland’s Wiz CG is its large grinding surface. Unlike portable models with much less surface area, the Wiz CG provides plenty of room to work with, making it easier for you to tackle larger stained glass projects. The lift-off reservoir comes off without a fuss, making it easy to clean while disassembled. What’s more, the Wiz CG possesses a 30-ounce/inch torque motor, making it one of the most powerful models of its class.
Pros:
- Large grinding surface
- Highly durable grinder bits
- Quiet yet powerful motor
Cons:
- No face shield included
Gryphon Gryphette Glass Grinder
Stain and save
Whoever said you had to break the bank to get a high-quality glass grinder obviously hasn’t seen the Gryphette from Gryphon. This highly affordable model has a compact design and a reliable 3000-RPM motor. Ideal for beginners, the Gryphette has a simple design concept that makes learning the process of glass grinding feel easy and manageable. And thanks to its convenient bit guard, it tends to keep water from splashing everywhere while you shape your glass pieces. If you’re a novice looking to dip a toe in the water of glass grinding, the Gryphette is an excellent choice.
Pros:
- Great size to learn with
- Accepts all standard-size grinder bits
- Has a spare fuse
Cons:
- You’ll have to use a wet sponge to cool down the grinder bit while operating it
Gryphon Convertible Professional Stained Glass Grinder
Precision cuts
If you have some experience with glass grinders and want to upgrade, Gryphon’s convertible grinder might be right for you. This extraordinary machine has a unique feature that allows you to incline the grinding surface, making it easier for you to operate the machine from a seated position. What’s more, this pick has an automatic electric pump that keeps the grinder bit cool while you shape your glasswork. Even though this model is a bit more expensive than some of its competitors, the larger price tag is more than worth it considering its impressive array of features.
Pros:
- Makes very little mess
- The incline option puts less strain on your neck and back
- Large grinding surface
Cons:
- The face shield is on the smaller side
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some glass grinders require a sponge?
You use a wet sponge to prevent the grinder bit from overheating while you shape your glass. However, some glass grinders have specialty bits or automatic water pumps that make using a sponge redundant. Still, it’s never a bad idea to have a sponge on hand in case something goes wrong with your pump or specialty bit.
How big of a grinding surface do I need?
This depends on the size of the stained glass projects you intend to work on. If you only envision yourself working on smaller projects, a portable grinder should suffice. However, if you want to tackle larger pieces, you might have to consider purchasing a bigger model.
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