Top 10 Best Bench Grinders in 2018 (Smart Guide and Reviews)

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Metal is tough, but over time, it may begin to wear down. Your metal tools, like screwdrivers and punches, may become dull, leading you to replace them. Welded joints may have rough edges that don’t look great and that may even be sharp and dangerous.

In situations like these, you don’t have to throw out your tools or re-weld a joint. Instead, you can save time and money by using a handy bench grinder.

Compare: The 10 Top Bench Grinders of 2018

Picture	Name	Brand	Price	Rating
	Tormek T-7	Tormek	$$$$	4.9
	DEWALT DW756	Dewalt	$$$	4.8
	WEN 4276	WEN	$$	4.7
	DEWALT DW758	Dewalt	$$$	4.7
	JET 577102 JBG-8A	Jet	$$$	4.7
	Delta Power Tools 23-197	Delta	$$$	4.7
	Craftsman 9-21154	Craftsman	$$$	4.7
	POWERTEC BG600	Powertec	$$	4.7
	SKIL 3380-01 120-Volt	Skil	$$	4.6
	Rockwell ShopSeries RK7867	Rockwell	$$	4.6
Picture	Name	Brand	Price	Rating

Best of the Best: Our Bench Grinder Reviews

Best Cheap: WEN 4276

For those on a budget or anyone new to sharpening and grinding, this power tool is a budget-friendly choice. Just because it’s inexpensive doesn’t mean it’s cheap. In fact, this is a sturdy machine that works great for most light duty applications.

With your purchase, you’ll receive two wheels with different grit, a 60 grit for general use and a 36-grit wheel for faster and more efficient grinding. This machine boasts a quiet motor that starts up quickly and maintains a steady speed, a solid cast iron base for stability while working, eye guards for your safety while grinding, and a flexible work light so you can see exactly what you’re doing at all times. For your convenience, a stand is sold separately.

Pros:

• It is very affordable
• Comes with a great warranty
• Two different grit wheels for different uses
• It is very sturdy and well built
• Use for most general purposes, including deburring, sharpening, and polishing

Cons:

• It takes a while to get to the proper speed
• The spark shield may occasionally fall out of position
• The instructions for assembly aren’t very clear

Best for the Money: DEWALT DW756

Clean your tools and other metal objects, polish them, sharpen your knives, de-burr metal parts, and even remove rust using this general purpose grinder that has all of the power you need for most jobs. This mid-priced tool is worth the extra money, as it has many features found on more expensive products, including a durable cast iron base and housing, so you’ll get years of use from this machine.

This has a powerful motor that provides you with steady, reliable speeds. The 12 ½ inch distance between the wheels lets you work with larger and longer metal items, and it comes with two different wheels for general uses, as well as more efficient grinding. It also comes with everything you need to stay safe, including spark deflectors and eye protectors.

Pros:

• It is powerful enough for light duty and some heavy-duty jobs
• It comes with a great warranty
• Also comes with a 1-year service contract
• Operates smoothly and efficiently
• Starts up quickly
• Works quietly

Cons:

• It takes a little too long to slow down to a stop
• It wobbles just a bit
• Assembly instructions are not clear

Best Overall: Tormek T-7

If precision and accuracy is what you want, that’s what you’ll get with this wet grinder from Tormek. Unlike dry grinders, this one takes off less material, leaving you less prone to taking off too much material, while providing you with exceptional accuracy and precision for the most difficult tasks.

This industrial machine has a lot of features you won’t find on household grinders, including 11 jigs for use on specific tools, a square jig for easy alignment and higher accuracy, AngleMaster for the perfect angle with every use, and a powerful motor. Other standout features that make this a top choice include grindstone removal that doesn’t require tools, and a wet grinding design that produces less friction for more accurate grinding and less wear and tear on your machine.

Pros:

• It comes with multiple tools designed for accuracy and precision
• The water cooled system puts less strain on your machine and increases accuracy
• It comes with one of the best warranties you’ll find
• Two different wheels
• It has a larger wheel to make your job easier
• Powerful motor is ideal for grinding all metals and runs at a fast, steady pace
• Doesn’t create dust
• Doesn’t spark, so it is safer to use
• It has a sturdy, durable design

Cons:

• It is expensive
• Some of the jigs are a little difficult to use and may take practice for accuracy

What is a Bench Grinder?

A bench grinder is one in a line of power tools, such as angle grinders and rotary tools, that are used to grind metals, woods, plastics, and other materials. Since metal is a strong and durable material, it takes a special tool to grind away rough edges or sharpen an edge on a tool. This is what a grinder is for. These are designed to sit on a bench or table as you grind, and it features grinding wheels with abrasive edges on either side.

These tools are frequently found in metalworking shops to grind, polish, and sharpen different types of metal including aluminum, steel, brass, and copper.

What are the Advantages of Owning This Tool?

Anyone that works with metal will find that owning a bench grinder is a necessity for smoothing rough edges or imperfect welds. While tools like a chop saw can be used, a grinder is more efficient and more precise for correcting imperfections in metal.

Even those who don’t frequently work with metal can benefit from adding one of these tools to their garage or workshop, as these can be used for sharpening metal and renewing old, dull metal tools and keeping knives sharp, saving money in replacement costs.

What are the Different Types?

Before investing in an expensive power tool like a grinder, you need to know what to look for to ensure you get the right product that will fit your needs. You don’t want to blow your money on something that you won’t ever use, so the first step to making a smart and informed purchase is to know about the types of grinders available and the differences between them.

Traditional

These tools are used along with a bench to grind down metals safely and easily. These are portable, so they can be moved from place to place as needed.

Pedestal

These are very similar to traditional models. However, the main difference is that these are mounted to a pedestal, which is then bolted to a floor. These are not portable, but they are very sturdy and stable.

Industrial

These are most often what is found in metalworking shops and other industrial areas. These grind just like other grinders, but they are designed to be larger, sturdier, and more heavy-duty than other types.

What is the Best Bench Grinder on the Market in 2018?

WEN 4276 6-Inch Bench Grinder

If you’re new to using this type of equipment, just want something for your household workshop, or you don’t want to spend a fortune, this basic grinder is one that you should add to your list. While this won’t outperform the bigger, more expensive machines, it offers fast and steady performance for smaller grinding jobs, all at one affordable price.

DEWALT DW756 6-Inch Bench Grinder

Those who have a larger budget and want something a little more heavy duty won’t be disappointed in this machine by DEWALT. This grinder runs smoothly and has enough power for many heavy-duty applications, all at a competitive price and backed with an exceptional warranty.

Tormek T-7 Water Cooled Precision Sharpening System

If you work with metal on a daily business in your workplace, only the best equipment will do, and it doesn’t get much better than this machine from Tormek. This industrial machine is designed to tackle the most difficult metal grinding jobs, all without overheating. You’ll get continuous speed, unmatched power, and a sturdy, durable design with the purchase of this model.

Features to Consider

Whether you’re replacing an old, dated grinder that just doesn’t get the job done or you’d like to add one to your garage or workshop, you have to know what you’re looking for before you make your purchase. A failure to plan and know what to look for in a new tool results in purchasing something that doesn’t fit your needs or exceeds your budget. Since you want to get the most use out of your new tool, make sure you pick the right one the first time by keeping an eye out for these four features.

Price

Grinders made for household and general use may cost around $100, while industrial machines can easily run up to $1,000 or more. Price should be considered for two reasons. You want to set a budget and stick to it, but you don’t want to make a purchase solely based on price. If you need an industrial grinder, you’re not going to be able to buy the cheapest one on the market. Balance your budget with your needs and other important features before you make your purchase.

Warranty

Any type of power tool is bound to have issues after years of heavy use. However, it isn’t unreasonable to expect your grinder to work right out of the box, and you also shouldn’t have to worry about parts failing after just a few uses. If your product has a defect that renders it useless after you’ve used it just a few times, a warranty gets the repair, replacement, or refund you deserve.

Stone Size

Larger grindstones can handle more heavy-duty jobs, while smaller stones are fine for household knife and tool sharpening. Make sure that you purchase a grinder with a stone that is the right size for the jobs you want to perform.

Included Accessories

An inexpensive grinder is not that great of a deal if you have to purchase additional items to use it. Check for what is included in your purchase to ensure that you’ll be able to use your new tool right out of the box.

Price

WEN 4276

This is a great price for a general purpose grinder for your household.

DEWALT DW756

This is a mid-priced tool that costs right around the industry average.

Tormek T-7

This is a more high-end, insutrial machine that is priced significantly higher than its competitors in this group.

Warranty

WEN 4276

This model is covered with a 2-year limited manufacturer’s warranty to protect against defects.

DEWALT DW756

You’ll receive DEWALT’s 3-year limited warranty with the purchase of this product.

Tormek T-7

You’ll receive a 7-year manufacturer’s warranty with your purchase, one of the best in the business.

Stone Size

WEN 4276

This product has a 6-inch grindstone that is good for use for most household applications like sharpening.

DEWALT DW756

This model has 6-inch stones that are made for grinding, sharpening, and polishing.

Tormek T-7

This machine has a 10-inch grinding wheel and an 8 ¾- inch leather honing wheel.

Included Accessories

WEN 4276

This comes with two wheel grits, protective eye guards, and a work light that you can use to ensure accuracy while grinding.

DEWALT DW756

You’ll receive two different grit wheels, eye shields, tool rests, and spark deflectors.

Tormek T-7

You’ll receive an AngleMaster, honing compound, square edge jig, truing tool, stone grader, accessory tray, and an instructional DVD.

All in All

Instead of throwing out your old, rusty tools or replacing your knives because they’re dull, sharpen them up and make them like new again with a bench grinder. Whether you want to de-burr your edges, smooth out a weld, or restore your tools and knives, this is a tool you’ll want to add to your workshop. For the most heavy-duty jobs, you can’t go wrong with our pick for best bench grinder, the Tormek T-7. This industrial tool provides the accuracy you need for the most precise jobs, while also giving you just enough power for your tougher jobs. This is a standout above the rest because of its performance, durable design, multiple tools, and an unmatched 7-year warranty.