Walk into any glass artists workshop and you are bound to see a myriad of different supplies and tools that he or she has collected over the years. Some they use, some they don't. A stack of unused glass over here, patina over there, grozing pliers, different cutting tools, and a bunch more that are just sitting there. As we pick up more tools and gadgets it can turn a once neat workshop into a huge nightmare of a mess. But, even though there are some tools that we bought and we know that we will never use that much, there are always the ones that we use on a daily basis. They are the standby tools and the ones that we couldn't live without. 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.

At the beginner level, you really just want something that's going to get you started. 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. There are primarily three big players that manufacture grinders and we'll walk through each one. We'll start with 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. It also has a low pricepoint so its easy for someone to get started for a relatively inexpensive price. 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. It has some strong feeatures that make it appealing to most new artists. And another interesting note, this is one of the most popular options for glass teachers to use within the classroom. 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 real pluses of this model is that it is so easy to use.

One of the other popular companies that manufactures grinders is Inland. They have been around for a long time and they have a great reputation with wholesalers, retailers, and artists for putting out products that are second to none. 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. It is also something that can be used for other crafts because it can grinder plastic, ceramic, and stone. This is good because it has more appeal to others if you choose to sell it when you upgrade. The low price makes this model affordable to about everyone who wants to get started with a quality grinder. Inland has a slogan that says "what we'd like to own" so you can be sure that they take their craft very seriously and has earned that reputation in their field. A very popular product they produce 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 some extra add-ons you can purchase, such as the the Beveler kit, which make this a good option for artists who want their grinder to grow with them

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. Glastar has such a great reputation that its the brand that most advanced artists and full-timers use as their primary grinder. Fortunately, they also produce some quality entry-level machines as well. 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 just keeps going and the power doesn't slow down. Nobody likes to lose any steam when they are in the middle of a project so this is an important feature. 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.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when you are shopping for a new grinder, but there are also many options out there that can work well for you as a beginning artist. 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.