As we all know, any stained glass artist has a number of tools at his or her disposal. 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 accumulate tools throughout the years it makes our workshops look like a big mess. But, even though there are some tools that we bought and we know that we will never use that much, there are always the ones that we use on a daily basis. They are the standby tools and the ones that we couldn't live without. And for most people, that most important tool are our stained glass grinders . A stained glass grinder smooths out edges that are rough after you've made the inital 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.

At the beginner level, you really just want something that's going to get you started. For most beginners, the there are a few options that can work pretty well for you. Lets walk through what I call "The Big 3" and talk about the different products that they make and which are great for beginners. We'll start with Gryphon first. On the beginner side, Gryphon has a very popular beginners grinder called the Gryphon Studio Grinder. This is a nice one and a very popular one for people just getting started, a lot of beginners actually come into my studio and know this one by name so they feel comfortable with it. The Studio Grinder is nice because the motor is powerful, it has a tower that acts as a cooling tower, and a couple of work surfaces depending on your project size. It also has a low pricepoint so its easy for someone to get started for a relatively inexpensive price. Another popular option is the Gryphon Gryphette Diamond Grinder. This is one of the more popular entry-level grinders on the market and with good reason. This grinder has a lot of nice features that make it probably the most popular grinder for beginners. And another interesting note, this is one of the most popular options for glass teachers to use within the classroom. One of the things that people like about this grinder is that you can transport it very easily because of its size. It also has a surprisingly strong motor for something so small. The upside to this model is that its ultra easy to use which is exactly what a newbie is looking for.

Another market leader in the industry is Inland. They have been around for a long time and they have a great reputation with wholesalers, retailers, and artists for putting out products that are second to none. 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. And not only can it grind glass, it can also grinder plastic, ceramic, and stone so its perfect for crossing over into other crafts. The low price makes this model affordable to about everyone who wants to get started with a quality grinder. Inland has a slogan that says "what we'd like to own" so you can be sure that they take their craft very seriously and has earned that reputation in their field. A popular beginner grinder that Inland manufactures is called the Inland Impulse Grinder. The nice thing about this grinder is that it has add-ons available that can literally triple the power of the thing. For one they have something called the TwinSpin Retrofit, which grinds straight edge glass and allows you to miter the edges. It also has others, such as the Beveler Kit, which make it a good option for a grinder that's going to grow with you

Glastar is another long-time company that has built up a strong reputation in the instustry. The Glastar company has been around as a family business for close to 30 years and they have done it by producing some of the best grinders on the market. Glastar has such a great reputation that its the brand that most advanced artists and full-timers use as their primary grinder. Fortunately, they also produce some quality entry-level machines as well. 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. There is nothing worse than losing power on your grinder when you're in the middle of the project. Another great option from Glastar is called the Glastar G5 Diamond Star. This is a pretty basic option so only go this route if you really are unsure if this is something you are going to stick with. This option is great for a artist that is just getting started and doesn't want to jump right in and spend a boatload of money on a piece of equipment when they have only worked on a couple projects.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when you are shopping for a new grinder, but there are also many options out there that can work well for you as a beginning artist. If you're looking for a deal on these grinders, here are a few buying tips. You can look around online and compare prices using some of the more popular shopping search engines. That will allow you to compare side by side so you can ensure that you get the best possible price. Some of the advantages of going with someone you have dealt with before though is that they can offer you some advice about your purchase Just remember, power and torque are the most important things so as long as you have that then you will be fine. 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.