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 pick up more tools and gadgets it can turn a once neat workshop into a huge nightmare of a mess. 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 stained glass grinders . 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. We'll run through some of the more popular models and what is appropriate for the beginner level.

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. 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 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 model that's manufactured by Gyphon is the Gryphon Gryphette Diamond Grinder. This is one of the more popular entry-level grinders on the market and with good reason. It has some strong feeatures that make it appealing to most new artists. It's a good possibility that anyone that has take a stained glass class has used this grinder in the classroom setting. 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 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. 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 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

Finally, Glastar is another quality company that produces grinders. 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. Nobody likes to lose any steam when they are in the middle of a project so this is an important feature. 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 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 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.