There are so many thousands of glass tools, that all the different choices can boggle your mind. For most people, they will look at stained glass grinders as their first big purchase. There are some things you should be thinking about when you first buy a glass grinder. The type you will buy will depend on your needs and the budget that you have. Rest assured though, there is something out there for everyone's budget. What do you use a grinder for? Well, its a tool that will smooth out glass after you've 'rough cut' it to shape. Grinders us a coated bit to shave off the excess glass to get it ready for using with copper foil. With most stained glass grinders, you'll get a couple of grinder bits to go along with it.

Everyone needs to start somewhere with a grinder and a good choice is typically the Gryphon Gryphette Grinder. It is a powerful and reliable machine with good torque and, best of all, it has a great price. This is really ideal for a beginner. This type of stained glass grinder is for a person who plans on doing a few projects per year. Since grinders have good resale value, its a perfect pick to get going and then maybe sell when you want to move onto something for larger jobs.

For a person taking it to the next stage, you will probably need a product a little more powerful and with some more benefitsThere are some options on the market for someone who is looking to move up to the next level of stained glass grinder. Fortunately, you're not coming too much higher in price compared to the hobbyist models. Usually, its just $20-$30 more to elevate from the hobbyist models to the more advanced ones. I recommend the Inland Wizard IV Grinder. It is a great graduation for those who are getting a little more serious with their glass work. These glass grinders are actually probably considered professional grade as far as most people are concerned. These grinders are made for use on a daily basis so they can definitely made for a lot of projects

A professional level model is only for the most dedicated artists. If you aren't doing major projects and using this everyday then it will be too much for what you need it for. The Glastar G9 Disc Grinder is the tool for you. It can do lampshades, panels, and even boxes. It's just the best tool on the market for creating a straight edge when you need it. Again I'll mention this though, at how expensive this sells for, only the most serious artists should consider and invest in it.

I'm hoping this gives you some guidance on which stained glass grinder is best for your needs and your budget. It can be tough with so many stained glass supplies in the marketplace to know which ones you need to buy and which one would just be a luxury. I will say, though, that a good grinder is something that anyone serious about glass will want to purchase at some point. It will for sure make your life easy and, right next to your Bullseye Glass, its something that will make your journey a little easier. So remember to put on your safety goggles and enjoy!