Bench Grinders as Woodworking Tools

At this point, I'm sure you're asking, "How can a Bench Grinder be used as a woodworking tool?"

Well, technically, it isn't a woodworking tool. However, a bench grinder belongs in every wood shop because of the multitude of tasks it can fulfill to support the woodworker. Your bench grinder can be used to keep your chisels, knives, gouges and other similar cutting tools sharp, which every woodworker knows is vitally important.

Bench grinders are handy for sharpening lawn mower blades, drill bits, gardening shears and more. Additionally, a bench grinder can be used for honing and shaping metal objects when modifications are needed. For instance, perhaps you need to modify a door hinge to make it fit in a certain application. No tool is better for this task than a bench grinder.

A bench grinder is a very simple tool. It is little more than a horizontally-mounted motor with an arbor on each side. Each arbor holds either a grinding wheel or a buffing wheel. The units are usually listed as 6-inch or 8-inch wheel models, and the 8-inch units are typically a bit more powerful, and subsequently more expensive. A 6-inch model will usually be powered by a 1/2 HP motor, where the 8-inch will be larger, likely 3/4 HP.

Two very useful features to look for are a mounted work light, which will directly illuminate your work, and an adjustable rest, which functions much like the tool rest on a lathe. Strongly consider models which have both features. Many also include a clear, see-through spark guard, which will help keep any sparks from flying toward your face. A word of caution, though: such a guard does not replace safety goggles. Never use a bench grinder without wearing your protective eyewear.

Fortunately, bench grinders are relatively inexpensive. Even the best models available should cost no more than $100, and are often much less. The minimal cost should encourage every woodworker to add a bench grinder to their assortment of woodworking tools.