Are you the type of person who likes working with their hands and getting things done? Maybe you like sharpening all of your own tools or maybe you need something that will help you grind down metal pieces. No matter what your reasoning or your favorite activity, you probably need a little help finding the best bench grinder to get the job done.
You need to consider whether you need a powerful motor, shield guards, different speeds (fast and slow speed bench grinder), whether or not they have a warranty or not and so on. Read our bench grinder reviews to get the very best on the market.
Best Bench Grinders
WEN 4276 Bench Grinder with Flexible Worklight
The WEN 4276 Bench Grinder has 6” wheels that are ¾” wide to deliver just the right amount of power for your next project. They use 60-grit over one wheel as well, which is strong enough to grade off materials however you need and also for general grinding purposes. It also includes a 36-grit wheel that lets you remove materials even faster.
That’s not all, however, because this unit has a 2.1 amp motor which is designed to run quiet, so you don’t need to worry about disturbing the neighbors. It’s also quick to get started and steady at up to 3,450 RPM. That means you’re going to get the job done faster and be able to get back to other things you want to do. There are eye guards included to keep you safer and you’ll also have the worklight which can be adjusted just the way you need so you can make sure the job is done right.
Things we like:
- 2-year warranty
- 6 x ¾” wheels
- 2.1 amp quiet running motor
- 36-grit and 60-grit included wheels
- Worklight included
- Lightweight
Things we don’t like:
- Not a lot of power for larger projects
- Light only works with a grinder, not separately
Dewalt DW758 Bench Grinder
The Dewalt DW758 is an 8” grinder, which means that it has a little larger wheels to work with. It also has overload protection, which means that the motor is going to last even longer. The guard, that keeps you safe while you’re working, is also adjustable without the need for tools, which makes it a faster and easier process to move or change it.
You’ll get a ¾ hp induction motor, which is designed to work even for industrial purposes with grinding. You also get a cast iron base and motor housing, which is going to withstand just about anything that you throw at it.
With up to 3,600 RPM you’ll have no problem cutting through or grinding just about any materials because it’s going to really apply the pressure. There’s also approximately 12” between the two wheels, which means you can work with longer projects with no worries. The rear exhaust ports that also include guards are also great for keeping it running smoothly.
Things we like:
- Tool-free guard adjustment
- 3-year warranty
- ¾ hp induction motor
- 36-grit and 60-grit wheels included
- Up to 3,600 RPM
- Overload protection
Things we don’t like:
- No lights included
- Cone washers are not all flat
SKIL 3380-01 Bench Grinder
The SKIL 3380 Bench Grinder uses a 2.1 amp motor that provides you with up to 3,450 RPM for increased power. It also provides you with LED work lights over both wheels, rather than one light located over the middle of some options. This helps you get a better idea of what you’re doing and looking at.
When it comes to actually grinding there are adjustable tool rests that hold your tools right where you need them to be for an easier process. You’ll also get two different wheels, coarse and medium, to accomplish different projects without having to buy even more pieces.
Eye shields are included to improve your safety and the base is made of cast iron to make it more stable and more durable over the long run. Rubber feet make this even more possible. There’s a 3-year warranty from the manufacturer that says it’s going to last for a long time under any kind of use.
Things we like:
- 3-year warranty
- 2.1 amp motor
- 2 work lights included
- 6” wheel sizes
- Smooth’s rough pieces from metal objects
- Runs quiet
Things we don’t like:
- Heavier than other options
- Can get backloaded from extended use
Delta Power Tools Bench Grinder
The Delta Power Tools Grinder is actually a variable speed option, which means that it can accomplish a range of different projects with no trouble. The speed can be adjusted from 2,000 RPM up to 3,400 RPM, which means that it works at low speeds and average ones.
It also includes a 36-grit and 60-grit wheel to make sure you can accomplish different types of projects as well. There’s a left-hand tool rest that includes a drill bit rest and the two rests are adjustable independently, so you can compensate for any type of wear to the wheels.
When you are grinding you don’t need to worry about getting your tools too overheated because it also has a water tray. Even better, there’s a work light with an on/off switch that is entirely separate from the grinder so you can use the light on its own. Not to mention the cast iron base keeps it steady and reduces vibration during use.
Things we like:
- Variable speed options
- 8” wheel size
- 5 amp motor
- Independently adjustable tool rests
- Separate worklight
- Safety shields included
Things we don’t like:
- Heavier than other options
- Washers can be poor quality
TruePower 199 Mini Bench Grinder
The TruePower 199 is a miniature bench grinder, which means it’s going to provide you with many of the features that you’re looking for. It’s also capable of doing most of the things that you expect from a full-size machine, which means you can save money and time getting multiple tools.
It has a variable speed control that ranges from 0 up to 10,000 RPM, which makes it useful for even more projects. You’ll get a grinding wheel, a fiber polishing wheel and a flex shaft attachment to take care of anything you need. It can also cut different materials or sharpen metals.
The 3” system is lightweight, which makes it easier to transport when you need to. The metal case is also more durable for anything that you might need to do with it. Furthermore, you’ll be able to sharpen smaller tools or take care of small projects with ease, as well as working well with standard Dremmel attachments.
Things we like:
- Miniature size for portability
- Up to 10,000 RPM
- 3” wide wheel
- Variable speed control
- Sharpens, cuts, and grinds materials
- Doesn’t bog down over extensive use
Things we don’t like:
- Not a lot of power
- Works best for small projects
Features to Consider
If you’re going to look at a bench grinder you want to make sure it has all of the features that you need in order to accomplish any task you’re going to put before it. You don’t want to spend a whole lot of time and money on something only to find out you’re going to need to replace it rather than be able to do what you need to. We’ve found a series of great features that you’ll want to at least take a look at before you make a choice about the bench grinder that you want for your workshop. Each one is up to you, but it could make your job easier.
Worklight
One of the first things that you want to consider is whether the grinder that you’re looking at actually comes with a worklight. You’ll also want to look at what type of worklight it actually has because this can be an important aspect as well. For example, some worklights are flexible and attached directly over the center of the unit. Others may be built directly into it and they may even be located over the wheels instead. Some units actually have more than one light attached, which helps to make it easier for you to see what you’re doing in different areas of the grinder.
Wheels
You want a system that is going to offer you a number of different wheel options at least, even if it doesn’t come with all of them. Most systems are going to offer you a coarse and a fine or medium wheel right with the kit, but not all of them will. Make sure you know what you’re getting and also that you know what type of wheels are going to fit so you can purchase after-market add-ons and accessories as well.
You don’t want something that only has a small number of wheels available. You also want to look at what type of material the wheels are actually made of. Vitrified aluminum oxide is a material that’s primarily used for grinding steel. On the other hand, silicon carbide is better for things like cast iron and nonferrous materials.
There is also a range of other stones that you could choose from. It’s going to depend on your personal preference as well as the type of material that you’ll be working with most frequently. It’s also going to depend on your price point because different types of stone and other materials are going to cost you a little more than others.
Size
There are plenty of different sizes when it comes to bench grinders. We’ve looked at miniature options that are only 3” and larger ones that are 8”, as well as several in between. You’ll want to look at the type of projects that you’re primarily going to be doing and then make a decision about which size wheels are actually going to help you the most. Whether you want something large or small is primarily going to be based on that and your own personal preference as well.
Speed
Finally, you want to take a look at the overall speed of the unit. You need something that is going to give you enough speed to really get the job done. The faster it spins the more it’s going to do and the faster it’s going to do it, which is definitely a benefit for you. With most systems getting between 3,000 and 3,600 revolutions per minute you want to get something that can at least go that far.
On the other hand, there are plenty of options that will go higher than that if you want even more power. The key is not getting something too strong for your intended purpose, but strong enough to do what you need. There are also variable speed options that can allow you to change between high and low power.
Wrap Up
If you’re looking for the best option when it comes to bench grinders you’ll want to take a look at all of the options, but you’re definitely going to want to look at the WEN 4276 Bench Grinder, which offers a 6” wheel. You’ll be able to accomplish a range of different projects and it provides 2.1 amps of power, which means you’ll be able to get more intense projects completed as well as minor ones.
Compared to the other options it has a slightly lower level of power, but it still has several great features that balance this out. For anyone that’s looking for more power, there are other options, such as the Delta Power Tools Grinder or you might be looking for something a little smaller like the TruePower 199.
These options are each going to give you benefits but if you want something that’s all around we still stick with the WEN 4276.
