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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 accumulate tools throughout the years it makes our workshops look like a big mess. But, there are always our most important tools that we use on a regular basis. 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. There are a lot of different options though so we'll talk through the most popular grinders that are made by the most popular companies.

When you are getting started, most people are just looking for something that's going to get the job done, be easy to use, and fairly inexpensive. 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. I'll break the options up between the three biggest companies that sell stained glass grinders. We'll discuss 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. It has a powerful motor, a nice little cooling tower, and two work surfaces. 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 one of the more popular entry-level grinders on the market and with good reason. This grinder has a lot of nice features that make it probably the most popular grinder for beginners. And another interesting note, this is one of the most popular options for glass teachers to use within the classroom. It has a strong motor for one of its size and its smaller so you can store it very easily about anywhere or tote it around to anywhere you need to go. The upside to this model is that its ultra easy to use which is exactly what a newbie is looking for.

Another market leader in the industry 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. And not only can it grind glass, it can also grinder plastic, ceramic, and stone so its perfect for crossing over into other crafts. 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 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. For one they have something called the TwinSpin Retrofit, which grinds 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

Glastar is another long-time company that has built up a strong reputation in the instustry. They have been around since 1978 and they have attained a respect in the market that comes from producing the very best. They are typically an advanced artists choice when it comes to higher-end grinders, but they do have many entry-level products on the market which can work for beginners. A popular one is called the Glastar G12 and its great for someone just getting into the hobby. The best thing about this is that it has a fantastic amount of power for such an inexpensive machine. It simply doesn't slow down once you've got the grinder going. There is nothing worse than losing power on your grinder when you're in the middle of the project. Another great option from Glastar is called the Glastar G5 Diamond Star. This is your bare bones option for a grinder, but since its made by Glastar you can be confident of the quality. 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. 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 Just remember, power and torque are the most important things so as long as you have that then you will be fine. 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.