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. This much stuff can grow over the years and turn our workshop into a big storage closet. There are some tools though, that no how many other gadgets we have, we will never be able to do without and not a day goes by that we don't use them. And for most people, that most important tool are our . A stained glass grinder smooths out edges that are rough after you've made the inital cut. If there was a tool that was worth the extra clutter, this one is it. We'll run through some of the more popular models and what is appropriate for the beginner level.
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. I'll break the options up between the three biggest companies that sell stained glass grinders. 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. And, one of the criteria that we look for, it has a pricepoint that would qualify this as an entry-level product. Another popular option is the . 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. It has some strong feeatures that make it appealing to most new artists. 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. 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 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 . 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. It is also something that can be used for other crafts because it can grinder plastic, ceramic, and stone. This is good because it has more appeal to others if you choose to sell it when you upgrade. 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. This product has a few neat add-ons that are unique to the product. One of the more popular add-ons is called the TWinspin. What this does is grind straight edge glass and allows you to miter the edges. It also has others, such as the Beveler Kit, which make it a good option for a grinder that's going to grow with you
Finally, Glastar is another quality company that produces grinders. 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. Glastar has such a great reputation that its the brand that most advanced artists and full-timers use as their primary grinder. Fortunately, they also produce some quality entry-level machines as well. A popular one is called the Glastar G12 and its great for someone just getting into the hobby. 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 . 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. But it is perfect for a new student who wants to test out the craft and wants to purchase a very affordable grinder for their hobby use.
If you spend anytime looking on websites or reading reviews you can drive yourself crazy, so stick with the primary companies and find something that meets your needs and your 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 If your grinder has power and torque, then you will likely be just fine, so keep an eye out for those two things. When it comes down to it, the extra fancy dancy things might be nice, but as long as the grinder achieves it's primary purpose then you will be ok.