Tips on Selecting a Glass Grinder
Stained Glass Grinder is a useful tool used to structure a glass to a desired shape after cutting it. Glass grinder can quickly get your glass pieces into shape without wasting too much time and hard work. Because a stained glass project is like a puzzle made of tiny pieces that creates an impression when assembled perfectly.
The diamond coated bit of the glass grinder cuts off extra glass from your piece and preparing it for copper foiling. Glass pieces can be shaped easily, giving smooth edges and nice solder lines for a professionally made project. There are two grinder bits, the large bit and the small bit. Large bits are ideal for working with large glass pieces. While the smaller bit is respectively for smaller pieces and grinding holes.
While there are some people who can complete a stained glass project without the help of a grinder. Most people find glass grinders as a very essential tool to save time and create quality projects for a given period. For professionals, grinders are just but a pre-requisite, this day and age quality and productivity matters for everyone who is aiming for quality results.
It is easy to find and buy a stained glass grinder, it is also easy to sell a pre owned grinder. So it really makes a lot of sense to have one even for hobbyists. The quality that it can do for you is indeed an investment that you won’t regret. Lampworkers also find grinders to be useful in shaping the ends of beads.
To determine which grinder is best for you, assess your plan and consider your budget. It is better to provide yourself with a glass grinder that will best work with your needs. If you buy a glass grinder starter for a big project, then you will have to upgrade or replace it as time goes by. Once you get a really good performing grinder, you can easily deal with big projects.
Affordable glass grinders that cost from a hundred dollars to not more than a hundred and fifty dollars can be a great tool to be used by beginners. Or for those who are only aiming on a number of projects in a year. A starter will do for simple projects.
Averagely priced glass grinders ranging from $100 to $500 dollars can be the best machine for professionals. They can be used on each and every stained glass project which is really worth its cost. Professional stained glass artists find a few glass grinders to be considered as one of the best such as the Wizard IV, the G-8 Glastar All Stars and the G-9 disc grinders. So for those who are looking for some to call quality and useful grinders, these three are one of the good ones in the market. The WizCG can is fairly the best for beginners.
There are glass grinders that are really expensive, they cost for about $1000 but they are not really made for mass consumers. Only for those who specially need them.
Comparison is also the best way to tell which grinders are good. What you need to look for are the RPMs, the Torque, the surface size, its features, price (very important)and don’t forget the warranty.
RPM measures how quickly the bit turns. Torque measures the resistance to the glass. Surface size or table is the area surrounding the bit. Features are important because it is the capability of the grinder to perform a number of functions. Price is considering what you get for what you are paying. And lastly the warranty is like your safety deposit box.
Price – average grinders cost from $80 up to $370. Which are not too bad for a real investment.
Torque – those torques that are below the value of 20 can be a good tool for hobbyists. Torques between 21-29 are good for most hobbyist and even for advanced artists. Torques between 30-45 are powerful and you can say anything against these machines.
RPMs – can range from 2,850 – 3600. Or the higher the value the better.
Size of the Surface –large pieces of glass are going to be best for large surface areas. Small surface areas are good for dealing if you are dealing with special projects.
Extra Features – some to mention are: eye shields, foot pedals, work surfaces, bits, accessory drawers and more which are not something that you should really need more attention if you do not need one specifically.
Top Selling Glass Grinders
Wiz CG by Inland
These grinders are rated best by hobbyist, they cost below $100. RPM is at 3500 and Torque is 30 which makes it efficient enough for hobbyists. It is the best selling product in the market for the hobbyist grade but it is different from the Wizling CG that is not as efficient as that of the Inland’s Wiz CG. If need something below $90 or $80, there’s Gryphette to the rescue which is just about $70-$80.
Wizard IV
Next to the hobbyist grade is the Wizard IV which is about $150-$160 and more powerful that the earlier mentioned. Its RPM is at 3,550 and its torque is at 40, which are good numbers for a fair price. This mid-priced grinder come with useful accessories which may include a drawer that is built-in plus a second story work surface. Professionals love this type of grinder because of the efficiency and the result that it can produce.
G-8 All Star
For the more advanced artists, the G-8 All Star one of the famous starts from $175 and higher. Best for highly professional and serious artists. Its RPM is at 3,650 and Torque is at 42. Reliability is 100 percent.