Whether you’re into metalwork, woodworking, or simply tending to your gardening tools, bench grinders are helpful machines that will sharpen (and sometimes buff) your chosen material. If you want to have a comfortable setup when handling your material, a bench grinder is a stable machine that you can depend on.
To help you decide, I handpicked some of the best bench grinders on the market today. They range from 6-inch to 8-inch models and you will find the best match depending on your needs.
Metabo DS 200 8-Inch Bench Grinder
Coming from a quality brand (formerly Hitachi Power Tools), the Metabo DS 200 8-Inch Bench Grinder has a no-load speed of 3,570 and a 1-inch arbor size. Its motor has 4.8 amps, making it a powerful bench grinder that is ideal for industrial use. It is also an 8-inch unit, which makes it ideal for larger pieces to sharpen. I like that it has die-cast aluminum protective covers for added durability.
Aside from that, changing the grinding discs is easy due to the protective cover bayonet lock. As a 600-watt model, it has 60-grit and 36-grit grinding wheels and weighs 35.9 pounds, which is typical with units such as this. It has spark protection glasses for safety and accuracy, while the workpiece support will help to sharpen your item without feeling fatigued.
The grinder comes with wheels, a hexagonal wrench, spark protection glasses, and the workpiece support. It is a bench grinder that will work well for fabrication shop owners and for sharpening mower blades. Moreover, it is backed by a 1-year warranty (3-year warranty if registered online).
For more information, read my full review of this bench grinder.
Things I Like About This Product: It has a large wheel size and sufficient material support that is adjustable to your needs.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The speed is too high for delicate metal such as knives and woodworking chisels.
Jet 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch Bench Grinder
Yet another 8-inch unit to consider is the Jet 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch Bench Grinder, which has a speed of 3,450 RPM. It has a wheel size of 8 inches with a 1-inch thickness and a 5/8-inch arbor size. Spanning 19-5/8 inches in total length, this model comes with two standard wheels: 36-grit and 60-grit, like most bench grinders.
What’s more, it also has safety tools, such as eye shields for protection, adjustable tool rests for comfort, and spark guards for safety. Ideal for removing burs, rust removal, buffing, and various metal work tasks, this unit runs on a 1-HP 115V motor. Since it runs either on 120 or 220V, it is an industrial-grade unit.
Because of the cast iron wheel guards and dust vents, the tool has great durability while it also keeps your work area clean. The pre-lubricated ball bearings will help to prevent or reduce maintenance in the long run. It is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: It has sufficient space and size for bigger items and it is an industrial-grade dual-voltage unit for heavy-duty metal work use.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It does have noticeable vibrations that can cause the user to become fatigued during long operations.
DeWalt DW758 8-Inch Bench Grinder
The DeWalt DW758 8-Inch Bench Grinder With a 3/4-HP induction motor, this bench grinder is ideal for industrial applications thanks to the 3,600-RPM no-load speed for easier material removal under a tight deadline.
The unit is made with a rugged cast iron base for stability and durability while the housing is also of the same material for motor longevity and protection. Because it has a 12-1/2-inch distance between wheels, inserting large objects for sharpening or general metal work will be a breeze and less awkward to handle. The guard is easy to adjust to save time and the motor also has overload protection for safety.
Like most machines in this class, the bench grinder comes with 36- and 60-grit wheels that are sized 8 inches. Both of them have tool rests that are adjustable plus spark deflectors, as well as eye shields for further protection for the operator. It is backed by a 3-year limited warranty and a 1-year free service from DeWalt.
For more information, read my full review of this bench grinder.
Things I Like About This Product: It removes material fast, has a powerful motor at 3/4 HP, has a durable cast iron construction, and has an adjustable tool rests.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It doesn’t come with an LED work light and it’s only single-speed (not applicable for buffing or knives).
Rikon Power Tools 80-808 8-Inch Bench Grinder
Yet another large-wheeled unit on my list is the Rikon Power Tools 80-808 8-Inch Bench Grinder. Although it is not a name-brand unit, this tool has a good build thanks to its amount of features, such as an LED work light for improved accuracy (it is bendable for your needs), eye shields for protection, item magnification, and adjustable tool rests for comfort.
Because it only has 1,725 RPM, it is ideal for delicate sharpening needs, such as chisels, knives, and the like. Bearing vibration reduction thanks to the rubber feet, this grinder has a bunch of rear dust ports to set up your dust collection system.
Due to the cast metal construction for the base, body, wheel flanges, and tool rests, it has solid durability. Weighing 54 pounds, this unit comes with all the mounting hardware along with the user’s manual and other items you’ll need. It is backed by a 5-year warranty.
For more information, read my full review of this bench grinder.
Things I Like About This Product: With a large grinding wheel size applicable for bigger objects, the low speed is appropriate for sensitive materials, such as chisels and knives, without burning them. It also has a work light.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It isn’t a variable-speed unit and the included light is not that quality-made (but you can replace that, anyway).
Worth Considering: Skil 3380-01 6-Inch Bench Grinder
Skil 3380-01 6-Inch Bench Grinder
Applicable for home workshops or garages, the Skil 3380-01 6-Inch Bench Grinder is a unit with 3,450-RPM of speed and a wheel facing of 1/2-inch. Equipped with a 1/3-HP 2.1-amp motor, this model is also built with a cast iron base for durability and stability, while the rubber feet will help to maintain its balance and decrease vibrations.
Because it has an LED work light, it will help you to see the workpiece even in a dimly-lit room for added safety and accuracy. The tool rests are also adjustable for your comfort needs while the ccSAus certification speaks quality control. If you’re looking for a bench grinder to sharpen gardening tools such as mower blades, this is a good choice for you.
Since it measures 6-inches it is okay for beginners, due to the small-sized wheel (if you don’t need an 8-inch one at the moment). It is backed by a 3-year limited warranty (through online registration).
For more details, read my detailed review of this Skil bench grinder.
Things I Like About This Product: It has an adjustable tool rests, rubber feet for stability, and LED lights for accuracy.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It’s tricky to adjust the angles and the speed is too fast for chisels and knives.
DeWalt DW756 6-Inch Bench Grinder
As a small but powerful unit, the DeWalt DW756 6-Inch Bench Grinder packs 5/8-HP, which runs up to 3,450 RPM on its no-load speed. Despite the 6-inch wheel size (as compared to 8-inch ones), it has a 12-1/2-inch distance between the wheels so it will support longer materials for grinding.
Due to the precision-machined aluminum rests, getting the workpiece to an accurate position won’t cause the user too much fatigue. I like that it has rear exhaust ports that will help the wheels run smoothly. At a weight of only 28-1/2 pounds, it is applicable for moving between rooms and job sites due to its easy portability.
If you have a smaller lawnmower blade, it will accommodate it just fine, particularly the blades of a riding lawnmower. As with most bench grinders, it comes with 60-grit and 36-grit wheels and all other attachments needed. It is backed by a 3-year limited warranty with 1-year of free service.
Things I Like About This Product: It is ideal for lawn mower blade sharpening, has a good amount of distance between wheels to accommodate larger pieces, and it is also lightweight for easy transport without sacrificing stability.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: You might find that it has a slight wobble to it but can be prevented by bolting it down safely and securely.
Jet 577126 Shop Grinder with Grinding Wheel & Wire Wheel
The Jet 577126 Shop Grinder with Grinding Wheel & Wire Wheel is a unique pick among my list due to the inclusion of a wire wheel. If you need surface finishing that a regular bench grinding wheel won’t be able to give you, the inclusion of a wire wheel is a plus point.
As with most units, this grinder has cast iron wheel guards for added durability while the dust chutes allow you to set up your dust extraction system on the job site. This one has larger eye shields than most units of its class, allowing you to easily see the material without being blinded or distracted by the material debris during removal.
This UL-listed unit has a low-maintenance build due to the totally-enclosed, pre-lubricated ball bearings in the motor. It has a rubber mount that will reduce the vibration of the machine. Weighing 32 pounds and spanning up to 19.68 inches in length, this tool is powerful and it is also backed by a 2-year warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: It comes with a wire wheel for polishing that is ideal for metal work.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It doesn’t come with a Shop-Vac adapter for dust extraction (but you can buy it separately).
Jet 577101 6-Inch Industrial Bench Grinder
Yet another small unit on my list is the Jet 577101 6-Inch Industrial Bench Grinder, which has cast iron wheel guards for stability and dust vents for keeping your work area nice and clean from debris. It has enclosed pre-lubricated ball bearings that will decrease the maintenance work required for this unit.
Because it has rubber mounts at the bottom, it will stabilize the entire bench grinder during operation. This CSA-listed unit comes with a set of fine and coarse (60-grit and 36-grit) grinding wheels that are ready to be used. Its wheel thickness is 3/4-inch while it has a 1/2-inch shaft diameter. The eye shields are easy to adjust and are large enough to cover you from your material.
Measuring 18 x 10-1/2 x 8/12 inches and bearing a speed of 3,450 RPM, this bench grinder has a 1/2-HP 1-phase 115-volt motor. The speed is sufficient for removing burs, sharpening, and similar metalwork tasks. It is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: It has dust vents to connect to your dust extraction shop vacuum easily while it has eye shields that are simple to adjust.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The coarse wheel could use some tweaking to avoid slight wobbles.
WEN 4276 2.1-Amp 6-Inch Bench Grinder with Light
If you are a fan of units that have a lamp on top, then the WEN 4276 2.1-Amp 6-Inch Bench Grinder with Light is for you. This one has 3/4-inch thick wheels with a 1/2-inch arbor size. Backed by its 2.1-amp motor with a 3,450-RPM no-load speed, it has a lightweight design of only 16 pounds, so it is ideal for those who want a flexible working space or have limited area in their desk.
I like that the bendable light lamp allows you to easily direct your attention to your material for accuracy and safety. Like most standard units of the same class, it has eye guards, a heavy-duty base, and two wheels (36-grit and 60-grit) for grinding.
A simple design makes this bench grinder easy to work with when it comes to disc removal that’s not only speedy, but also safe. If you plan to buy (or already have) the WEN cast iron bench grinder stand as well, it is easy to attach it there for stability. It is covered by a 2-year warranty.
Read a more detailed review of the WEN 4276 and how it compares with the bigger WEN 4280 here.
Things I Like About This Product: The lightweight build makes it easy to move from room to room – ideal for jobs that require flexibility.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The wheel and the machine design are not sufficient in size for grinding larger objects.
Shop Fox W1840 Variable-Speed Grinder with Work Light
If you prefer to work between slow and fast speeds for your material, the Shop Fox W1840 Variable-Speed Grinder with Work Light will be a great choice for you. The speed is adjustable between 2,000 and 3,400 RPM, which means you can use it for high-speed material removal and for low-speed grinding of delicate items, such as chisels and some knives, without burning them.
Since it has 8-inch wheels, it won’t be awkward to handle larger workpieces on the unit. Running on a 3/4-HP induction motor that runs cool, it has two adjustable work rests that are made of aluminum for easy material guidance without user fatigue.
With a 5/8-inch grinding bore size, this grinder has mounting holes for easy securing onto any work table. If you are a fan of switch safety, this one has a genius design with a removable key so you can disable the switch when not in use – perfect for storing in a garage. It is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: I like its switch disable mode for added safety and the variable-speed feature that is flexible enough to work on various materials.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The engine can get hot sometimes but it will run cooler if you add dressers to the unit.
The Methodology: What I Considered When Picking the Bench Grinders Featured Above
If you want to know how I picked the bench grinders mentioned above, check out the following criteria that I used (that I think you should use, too, when choosing):
1. Grinding Wheel Size
The first factor that comes into play is the grinding wheel size, which comes in either 6-inch or 8-inch types. The 6-inch ones are okay for beginners and smaller materials, while 8-inch units are typically best for job sites or industrial use. If you just need a mower blade sharpener, the 6-inch unit is okay unless it is a very big set of blades.
2. No-load Speed
The grinding speed of most bench grinders ranges from 1,500 to 3,500 RPM, depending on the purpose of the machine. Generally, you will find a lot of grinders around 3,000 RPM or more but these cannot be used for grinding delicate items such as woodworking chisels or knife sharpening. They are okay to be used for metalwork, however.
You can also opt for variable-speed units because they offer flexibility. For instance, some units have both 2,000 RPM and 3,400 RPM so you can freely switch whenever the other side is needed. If you know you’ll be working on different materials, it’s best to invest in a variable-speed unit rather than a single-speed one.
3. Safety Features
Common safety features that are found in bench grinders include the eye shields and spark deflectors. They not only protect your eyes and face from debris, but they also give you a better view of your material. Some of them even have magnification for added convenience and accuracy for the operator.
4. Tool Rests
Most bench grinders have tool rests that can be adjusted to help the operator to lessen their fatigue when sharpening or working on their material.
5. Durability
A lot of grinders out there are built with durability in mind. That’s why many of them are made with cast iron as the base and the body material. Consider a bench grinder with this kind of build for a long lasting tool (with proper care).
6. Usability
A bench grinder that is easy to operate with straightforward instructions is something to look for, especially if you are new to this kind of power tool or machine. The ability to easily switch grinding discs is always a plus factor when choosing from the best bench grinders out there.
7. Warranty
Consider the warranty policy of the manufacturer before you buy a grinder. Most warranties will cover the tool for two to three years, as long as the unit has not been misused, altered, or repaired in any way – you can take the unit to the manufacturer for a free repair or replacement. Having a reliable warranty policy will give you peace of mind in the long run.
Summary
For my best overall pick, the Metabo DS 200 8-Inch Bench Grinder is a decent sized unit for working with large workpieces, and is ideal for fabrication shops and metalwork. My second pick is the Jet 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch Bench Grinder, which is also applicable for bigger objects and is even a dual-voltage for industrial purposes.
If you are a beginner who wants a large unit, I would suggest the DeWalt DW758 8-Inch Bench Grinder. Its 3/4-HP motor will be useful for various metalwork and sharpening tasks. A unique pick to also keep in mind is the Jet 577126 Shop Grinder with Grinding Wheel & Wire Wheel, great if you are looking for something to perform final polishing quickly.
However, if your concern is a lower-speed unit to avoid material burning, the Rikon Power Tools 80-808 8-Inch Bench Grinder is the machine for you at only 1,725 RPM. Smaller 6-inch machines I would like to suggest are the Skil 3380-01 6-Inch Bench Grinder, DeWalt DW756 6-Inch Bench Grinder, and the Jet 577101 6-Inch Industrial Bench Grinder.
The WEN 4276 2.1-Amp 6-Inch Bench Grinder with Light is ideal for those who often work in dark areas, just like the Shop Fox W1840 Variable-Speed Grinder with Work Light, which is also a machine for those who want to work with different materials.