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. 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. 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 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. For most beginners, the there are a few options that can work pretty well for you. There are primarily three big players that manufacture grinders and we'll walk through each one. 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. The Studio Grinder is nice because the motor is powerful, it has a tower that acts as a cooling tower, and a couple of work surfaces depending on your project size. It also has a low pricepoint so its easy for someone to get started for a relatively inexpensive price. Another popular option is the Gryphon Gryphette 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. It's a good possibility that anyone that has take a stained glass class has used this grinder in the classroom setting. 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 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. 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. The low price makes this model affordable to about everyone who wants to get started with a quality grinder. Inland has a slogan that says "what we'd like to own" so you can be sure that they take their craft very seriously and has earned that reputation in their field. 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. 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 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 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.

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 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.