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. There are the cutters, pliers, glass, sundries, chemicals and so many more that I can't even mention. As we accumulate tools throughout the years it makes our workshops look like a big 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. And for most people, that most important tool are our stained glass grinders . A grinder is used to smooth the rough edges of a piece once its been cut. It's likely the first major purchase of any glass artists career and its definitely one that you want to clutter up your workspace. We'll run through some of the more popular models and what is appropriate for the beginner level.

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 discuss Gryphon first. On the beginner side, Gryphon has a very popular beginners grinder called the Gryphon Studio Grinder. This is a name I hear a lot when new artists come into my glass studio. It has a great reputation and the word just gets passed around about 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 one of the more popular entry-level grinders on the market and with good reason. 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. This model is good for large pieces of glass because it has a relatively large work area which is unusual for such an inexpensive grinder. 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. And, since its a beginner grinder, it also starts at an affordable price point so its affordable to about everyone. 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

Glastar is another long-time company that has built up a strong reputation in the instustry. The Glastar company has been around as a family business for close to 30 years and they have done it by producing some of the best grinders on the market. 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 simply doesn't slow down once you've got the grinder going. 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 is great for a artist that is just getting started and doesn't want to jump right in and spend a boatload of money on a piece of equipment when they have only worked on a couple projects.

So many options, so little time! There are a lot of ways you can go with a new grinder, so take some time and find the best one for your needs and budget. If you're looking for a deal on these grinders, here are a few buying tips. You can look around online and compare prices using some of the more popular shopping search engines. That will allow you to compare side by side so you can ensure that you get the best possible price. Some of the advantages of going with someone you have dealt with before though is that they can offer you some advice about your purchase If your grinder has power and torque, then you will likely be just fine, so keep an eye out for those two things. The fancy features are nice, but when it comes down to it, its all about the basics so make sure your grinder has those, and you'll be fine.