Bench grinders can be regarded as lifesavers for people who deal with tools daily. After some frequent use, even the best of tools lose their sharpness and precision. There comes the need for a good bench grinder that can restore the sharpness and accuracy of the tools like chisel mower blades, and other handy tools.
To buy a suitable bench grinder, you need to go through the features and specifications of some of the top-rated bench grinders in the market. In this article, we have listed down some highly recommended options for you.
The Best Bench Grinders for Sharpening Chisels
Below is the list of the highly-rated bench grinders. You can go through them and choose the one that can serve you the best.
1 – Rikon Professional Bench Grinder for Sharpening with Anti-Vibration Rubber Feet
This solid grinder is made up of aluminium oxide. It has 1” x 8” 60 grit (right) and 120 grit (left) white wheels. The ½ HP powerful motor with 1750 RPM provides the desired speed for grinding.
It has a cast iron base which ensures vibration-free working. The adjustable safety eye shield is there to reduce the chance of any damage and provide a safe working environment.
Bench grinder also has a built-in groove that helps in the sharpening of drill bits. A diamond wheel sharpener works at its best to keep the grinder cool and to reduce heat emissions.
The unit comes with a locking key as an ON/OFF switch to prevent any unauthorized use.
Pros
- Ideal for small workshops
- Powerful tool with high-quality parts
- Sturdy and safe with an adjustable eye shield
- Good for lengthy grinding as well
Cons
- The tool rest is of mediocre quality.
2 – Grizzly Industrial T10010ANV | The Best Bench Grinder for the Money
The second on our list of best bench grinders for sharpening comes the Grizzly. Designed in Germany, this grinding tool has a 110 RPM wheel speed. The tool has a versatile wet grinder with a leather stropping wheel.
The 2” wide grinder wheel works in a water bath system. It keeps the machine cool and prevents any mechanical damage.
It has a powerful motor of ¼ HP, 120 volts. The grinding wheel of the unit has dimensions of 250mm diameter x50 mm wide x 12 mm bore.
This 110 RPM unit with 220 grit wheel speed is ideal for wood makers, knife makers, etc. The unit comes with a sharpening piece, an angle guide, and a polishing paste.
Pros
- Exceptionally well for gentle grinding (plane blades, chisels, turning tools)
- The leather wheel gives a nice and sharp polished touch
- Works best for knife making.
- Great for turning tools
- Simple and easy to use
Cons
- Some issues like wobbling have been reported
- The water container is a bit small and narrow in size
3 – WEN 6-Inch Bench Grinder For Grinding Works
This awesome grinder is made up of iron. It has a durable and stable base that prevents wobbling. The grinder is innovatively designed having two wheels. Each wheel is 6” by ¾ “and has ½ inch arbor size.
Its 60-grit wheel provides excellent results for general purposes. The 36-grit wheel can be used to remove the materials quickly.
It has a quiet and powerful motor of 2.1 amp. The unit has a commendable speed of 3450 RPM. This grinder is specially designed to have maximum light in the workspace.
The adjustable light is there to ensure precision and accuracy. These specifications surely make this unit a must-have bench grinder.
Pros
- It has a sturdy grinder with flexible work light
- Has an adjustable tool rest with a strong base
- Has a quiet motor with protective eyeguards
- Least wobbling
- It’s excellent for its price
- Detailed instruction manual
Cons
- Bulb is not included
- It’s smaller in size
4 – DEWALT Bench Grinder, 8-Inch (DW758) | High Quality Sharpening Bench Grinder
This cool 8” bench grinder is available in yellow, black, and grey color. It has a flathead style. The coarse grit has a quiet and powerful induction motor of ¾ HP.
Furthermore, it has two wheels of 36 and 60 grit. It is one of the best bench grinders for sharpening chisels and other important tools.
The high-power motor with 3600 RPM provides the desired power for industrial grinding. It has a 12-1/2” distance between the two wheels. This distance provides the user with enough space for lengthy and longer grinding procedures.
The high-quality tool rest (precision-machined aluminium) ensures accurate positioning during the work. This grinder also has exhaust ports in wheel guards that facilitate smooth operation.
The unit has a durable and sturdy base made of rugged cast iron. It further adds to the sturdiness and durability of the grinder. The grinder comes with eye shields, spark deflectors, and a detailed instruction kit.
Pros
- Solid unit with a sturdy base
- Comes with a detailed instruction manual
- Highly recommended for sharpening hand tools, lawnmower blades, etc
- Smooth, quiet, and fast grinder
- Exceptional grinder with the least vibration and wobbling
Cons
- The unit has a weak ON/OFF switch
- Some users have reported vibration and wobbling (Less popular review)
5- WEN 4286 3-Amp 8-Inch Slow Speed Bench Grinder
Our search for the best bench grinders for sharpening tools cannot be complete without WEN. This solid WEN slow grinder can be a good fellow in the workspace. The 8” bench grinder has two wheels of 8” by 1”. A 60-grit wheel is there for general-purpose grinding and normal material removal.
The 120-grit wheel can be used for procedures like the sharpening of the blade and surface finishing etc. This unit has a 5/8-inch arbor size. There is a thickness of 1” between the two wheels.
This space provides enough space for enhanced precision and accuracy during the work. This unit has a quiet and strong 3- Amp motor. It has 1750 RPM and provides a smooth and steady speed during operation.
The slow speed of the grinder makes sharp and nicely finished edges. It can work best for debarring, sharpening, and cleaning the ragged edges and blades, etc.
It is a powerful bench grinder for sharpening tools like lawnmowers, knives, chisels, etc.
Pros
- Solid (aluminium oxide) wheels
- Easy to assemble and operate
- Quiet set-up with the least vibration
- Recommended for sharpening lathe chisel
- Inexpensive and versatile grinder
- The unit comes with a protective eye shield
Cons
- The grinder motor takes a few seconds to start and stop
6 – DEWALT Bench Grinder, 6-Inch (DW756)
This 6 “DEWALT bench grinder is a heavy-duty tool. It is 15 inches long and weighs 28 1/2 pounds. The unit has a solid and powerful motor of 5/8 HP. It can work best for heavy grinding operations including industrial grinding etc.
The grinder has two 36 and 60-grit wheels. It has a 12-1/2 inch distance between the two wheels. This distance provides enough space for long grinding processes and ensures precision.
The motor runs at the optimum speed of 3450 rpm. It provides the high-speed removal of the material with much ease and perfection. This grinder comes with a sturdy precision-machined tool rest.
It allows the user to be in a better working position and ensures accuracy. The industrial cast iron base adds to the life of the grinder and makes it durable.
This unit also comes with eye shields, spark deflectors, and a detailed instruction manual.
Pros
- The unit has good horsepower for DIY grinding applications
- Powerful wheels and a quiet motor
- Produces very little vibration
- Good quality for its price
Cons
- The adjustment of the guards needs some extra effort
- The socket wrench is needed to make it tight or loose
7 – JET 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inches Bench Grinder for Sharpening
This JET bench grinder has a sturdy and solid body. It has two 36-grit and 60-grit wheels. The 8 “aluminium oxide wheels have a width of 1” and an arbour size of 5/8 inch.
This grinder has a powerful HP motor, 1 phase, 115 volts. It operates at 3450 RPM and delivers excellent power. The unit has pre-lubricated and enclosed ball bearings. It has strong cast iron wheel guards.
It has a stable rubber foot that prevents unnecessary movements during operation. This unit also includes a heavy-duty guarded toggle witch. It is a heavy-duty bench grinder meant for all purposes.
The grinder comes with cast iron wheel guards, dust vents, an adjustable spark guard, and a large adjustable eye shield. It is reported to work best for cleaning, sharpening, and removing rust, or burs from the metal.
These enhanced features coupled with a sturdy construction and exceptional versatility make this one of the most commendable bench grinders on the long list.
Pros
- Well-constructed grinder with excellent power
- Extremely quiet with almost zero wobbles and vibration
- Time-saving model with exceptional efficiency
- Worth its price
- Produces an excellent surface finish on chisels
- Best to cater to the needs of busy workshops
Cons
- It is heavy because of cast metal
- Some users have reported vibration issues
8 – Delta Power Tools 23-197 8-Inches Variable Speed Bench Grinder for Sharpening Chisel
This amazing 8” grinder is made up of stainless steel. The grinder has two powerful wheels of 36 and 60 grit. The shaft has a diameter of 5/8 inches. This compact and powerful bench grinder comes with a remarkable feature of variable speed control.
It has a variable speed dial on the front. This dial enables the person to control the speed from 2,000 RPM to 3,400 RPM. It has a strong and sturdy induction motor of 5 Amp.
The motor has enough power to deliver exceptional performance in grinding, sharpening, buffing, and polishing operations. It has a two-piece independently adjustable tool rest.
At the left-hand tool rest, this grinder also has a drill bit rest milled into the surface. It provides the most suitable and precise angle on the tip. The innovatively designed grinder has a cast iron base.
It further adds to the life of the grinder and makes it a durable item. The unit also comes with a flexible work light, full-size safety shields, and a water tray that keeps the workspace cool during grinding and sharpening, etc.
Pros
- It runs smoothly and is right out of the box
- High-quality grinder with an exceptional warranty
- Well-balanced with sturdy construction
- It has an additional feature of variable speed
Cons
- It does not come with clear instructions
- The grinder is reported to have some vibration issues
9- Sunex 5002A Bench Grinder with Light, 8-Inch
This 8-inch bench grinder has a solid body. It has two powerful grinding coarse wheels of 36 and medium 60 grit. The unit has a powerful motor of 5 Amp. It has ¾ HP power and runs at the speed of 3450 RPM.
It comes with a safety eye shield to ensure safety during the process. The grinder has a built-in flexible 40-watt work light. It caters to the need for a good light in the workspace.
The grinder has a ball-bearing construction for smooth and easy operation. It can be placed conveniently. This grinder has a solid tool rest that is made up of aluminium.
It facilitates the sharpening or grinding and keeps the tool stable at its position. The unit comes with a sturdy and stable cast iron base.
The base provides stability and reduces the vibrations and wobbling during grinding and sharpening. It also adds to the life of a grinder and makes it durable. It is the most durable bench grinder with a powerful motor and exceptional performance.
Pros
- It has a solid heavy-gauge electrical cord
- The unit has a solid construction
- It has a long and adjustable light
- Smooth and powerful motor
- It works well for sharpening drill bits
Cons
- It is a heavy grinder
- It needs a long ratchet and socket to tight it evenly
- The ON/OFF switch is of mediocre quality
10 – Jet 578008 1 HP 8 Industrial Bench Grinder
This powerful bench grinder for sharpening is a CSA/CUS-certified heavy-duty tool. It has a solid and sturdy construction. The 8 “grinder has a powerful capacitor motor.
It has sealed bearings for the desired maintenance-free grinding. The unit comes with a quality toggle switch. It has sharp and solid coarse grinding wheels. This grinder has a shaft diameter of 5/8.
The grinder has a powerful single-speed motor that is smooth. A solid base with adjustable safety shields and flexible tool rest makes it one of the most highly rated bench grinders.
The grinder is reported to work best for grinding and sharpening with remarkable precision and accuracy.
Pros
- It has a solid construction
- The tool has a decent price for its quality
- It is a well-made tool with almost no vibration
- The unit has balanced grinding wheels
- It is a powerful tool with a quiet motor
Cons
- It is a very heavy tool
- The arbor has small shoulders
Things to Consider Before Buying a Bench Grinder
Buying a high-quality bench grinder means investing a large sum of money. To buy a durable bench grinder, you need to know about its parts, assembling, and operation.
Speed
The speed of the bench grinder is one of the most important things to consider before buying. There are plenty of grinders that are available in single speed as well as able speeds.
For the beginners, it’s recommended to use the bench grinders that have a slow speed. The high-speed grinders are reported to work best for already experienced people having an expert approach to grinding and sharpening.
Motor
As far as the motor of a sharpening grinder is concerned, three factors need to be taken into consideration.
- It must not be too noisy.
- Should have sturdy construction.
- It must be powerful for heavy-duty processing.
Eye Shields
Safety must be there at the top of the priority list. The bench grinders with well-made eye shields and spark deflectors are always good to buy.
Wheels Size
Bench grinders are available in various wheel sizes. Most of them are available in 6” and 8” sizes. The different-sized grinders provide a variety of services. You may choose the one that suits your needs the most.
Wheels Type
The material of the wheels matters a lot. Bench grinders usually have wheels made up of
- Aluminium oxide.
- Diamond.
- Silicon carbide.
- Cubic boron nitride (CBN) etc.
Again, the different type of wheels serves a variety of needs. The bench grinders with aluminium oxide wheels are most frequently used. For better results, CBN wheels are highly recommended for bench grinders.
Base
The solid and sturdy base of the grinder ensures smooth processing. Most bench grinders having a solid cast iron base are available in the market. They are heavy to carry but these grinders are durable.
Moreover, it also ensures to have almost zero vibration and wobbling.
Tool Rest
The bench grinders with an adjustable and flexible tool rest always serve the user with the best angle. The appropriate positioning contributes to work efficiency and provides excellent results.
Final Verdict
So guys, here we have tried to introduce you to some of the best bench grinders for sharpening and grinding. Each of them has its specifications and features.
Some have good speed while others have sturdy construction. Some of them have built-in lights and others have sturdy bases.
All the prominent features of each product, their best features along with the areas of improvement have been discussed in this article.
We hope a glance through it will provide you with the desired information. It will help you to easily choose the best bench grinder for your work.