As we all know, any stained glass artist has a number of tools at his or her disposal. There are the cutters, pliers, glass, sundries, chemicals and so many more that I can't even mention. As we pick up more tools and gadgets it can turn a once neat workshop into a huge nightmare of a 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. The perfect example of that, for most artists, is the stained glass grinder. A grinder is used to smooth the rough edges of a piece once its been cut. Believe me, it's a tool that you want in your toolbox. 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.

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 start with Gryphon first. On the beginner side, Gryphon has a very popular beginners grinder called the Gryphon Studio Grinder. The studio grinder is one of the most popular options for people just starting with grinders. 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 Gryphon Gryphette Diamond Grinder. This is similar to the Studio Grinder in the fact that it is often highly recommended by various class teachers as a great option for getting started. 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. 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.

Another market leader in the industry is Inland. They produce a number of stained glass products and have a fantastic reputation in the industry. 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. And not only can it grind glass, it can also grinder plastic, ceramic, and stone so its perfect for crossing over into other crafts. The low price makes this model affordable to about everyone who wants to get started with a quality grinder. 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. This product has a few neat add-ons that are unique to the product. 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. 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. 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. One is called the Glastar G12 Superstar Grinder which is ideal for any hobbist or person just getting started in stained glass. This is a product that has a lot of power for an entry-level machine. It just keeps going and the power doesn't slow down. 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 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 works best for a brand new student who is testing the waters in stained glass and doesn't want to invest much on equipment.

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.