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 pick up more tools and gadgets it can turn a once neat workshop into a huge nightmare of a mess. But, there are always our most important tools that we use on a regular basis. 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. If there was a tool that was worth the extra clutter, this one is it. 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. Fortunately, there are a handful of companies that have done a nice job putting together some nice options for beginners. 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. It has a powerful motor, a nice little cooling tower, and two work surfaces. And, one of the criteria that we look for, it has a pricepoint that would qualify this as an entry-level product. Another popular model that's manufactured by Gyphon is the 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 real pluses of this model is that it is so easy to use.

One of the other popular companies that manufactures grinders is Inland. They produce a number of stained glass products and have a fantastic reputation in the industry. One of their popular entry level grinders is the Inland Aero Grinder. The nice thing about this grinder is that it has a fairly large work surface so its easier to work with large pieces of glass. And not only can it grind glass, it can also grinder plastic, ceramic, and stone so its perfect for crossing over into other crafts. And, since its a beginner grinder, it also starts at an affordable price point so its affordable to about everyone. Inland takes their craft very seriously and has a slogan that they make what they would like to use themselves. Well, isn't that refeshing! A popular beginner grinder that Inland manufactures is called the Inland Impulse Grinder. This product has a few neat add-ons that are unique to the product. One of the more popular add-ons is called the TWinspin. What this does is grind 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

Finally, Glastar is another quality company that produces grinders. 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. They are typically an advanced artists choice when it comes to higher-end grinders, but they do have many entry-level products on the market which can work for beginners. 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 your bare bones option for a grinder, but since its made by Glastar you can be confident of the quality. 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.

So many options, so little time! There are a lot of ways you can go with a new grinder, so take some time and find the best one for your needs and budget. There are a few places you can look for a grinder, you can check out online auction sites, you can go to the nearest art supply stores, or you can order from one of the popular internet sites if you want some advice and the best possible selection Just remember, power and torque are the most important things so as long as you have that then you will be fine. Some of the bells and whistles are nice, but remember what the purpose of the machine is and if it does its primary purpose well, then that's all that matters.