Tips for Buying the Right Stained Glass Grinder
⊆ August 4th, 2008 Posted by bunda
Running a stained glass supplies studio, I get a lot of questions about which grinder is right for my customer. Since its usually a big purchase for my customer, I prefer to really get to know what their needs are so i can determine the best choice of product for them. There are plenty of models to choose from so it could be a hard decision.
A grinder is used by an artist to shape glass after its been cut to its rough size with the help of a glass cutter. Since your finished glass piece depends on all the pieces fitting exactly together, its no surprise that you need a tool that will help you achieve that goal. Grinders use a diamond coated bit to grind away extra glass and prep the edge for the copper foil. The grinder ensures smooth edges leading to a better overall finished product. Typically, you will get 2 grinding heads when you purchase a grinder. One is always used for the bigger jobs and the other is used for the really fine detailed work.
While its easier to just put off buying a stained glass grinder, I bet that you’ll find that its worth every penny. Its an investment that every artist will have to make at some point. It is a good investment when you figure in how much time you can save.
When choosing which grinder, you have to consider what your planned use is. I think its wise to buy a grinder than that you’ll want to use for years to come. Its a costly initial investment, but you want to buy a grinder that will last you. Just make sure that the grinder can grow with you as your skills as an artist progress.
There are a few things that you will definitely want to mull over when you are buying a grinder. Price is dependent on your budget and your expected annual use of the grinder. RPM’s measure how fast the bit turns and torque measures how strong the resistance to stained glass.
How much you plan on using the grinder will determine which grinder is ideal for your needs. If you are planning on only using it a few times a year then a great option is the Wiz CG by Inland. If you are planning on being either or a serious hobbyist then I would recommend The Wizard IV. And for the serious stained glass artists, the G8 All Star by Glastar is a fantastic choice. This is typically the choice of serious artists and professionals.
Hopefully a few of these pointers will help you buy the best grinder for your needs.
Dave Roth runs a stained glass supplies studio at http://www.scstainedglass.com which is a dealer of stained glass grinders. Dave has been teaching stained glass classes and workshops for the past 10 years.
By David Roth
Stained Glass Tools
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