We’ve covered a ton of great info about what makes a stained glass grinder stand out above the rest. The size of the overall stained-glass grinder is relevant if you are someone who plans on traveling with your grinder, has a limited workspace, or simply doesn’t want the hassle of a large machine. For many, a large workspace is needed and preferred to fit their stained-glass grinder in. For others, a small, portable grinder is desired. Smaller sizes don’t always equal less power; take the Glastar SuperStar II Grinder, for example, with a surface size of 8 x 9, it still performs exceptionally well without taking up a large amount of space. Some people find it convenient to keep their grinders in large sinks, so consider where you’ll be storing yours when choosing between sizes. Weight At the helm of this compact unit is an omnidirectional 3600 motor with decent speed to help with most beginners’ projects. Keep in mind, though, that the work surface isn’t too wide, so don’t try to shape bigger glass pieces. Otherwise, you may lose control of the process, damaging the piece and, perhaps, injuring your finger.

Popularly known as a glass to sand machine, this unit can transform glass bottles into sand-like material. It has a wide aperture for larger bottles/jars such as Champagne bottles. Although the ground-down bottles are not technically sand, the material is sharp-free and can be recycled and/or repurposed. Empty the reservoir. You want to empty the reservoir after you finish using your glass grinder to help protect the motor and keep the water from smelling funky. The power of a glass grinder is torque, which is expressed in ounces per inches. If you’re only interested in working with smaller pieces of glass, you will be fine with a model that has a torque value between 20 and 29. If you anticipate doing heavy-duty work, you need a glass grinder with a torque of at least 40 ounces per inch. Revolutions per minuteIf you feel this is applicable to you, QCR's range of Glass Crusher Machines may be the answer. With up to 80% volume reduction, our Glass Crushers help businesses to reduce their waste costs, as well as their carbon footprint. Glass Crushers use 'crushing teeth' to drastically reduce waste volume. The crushed glass is then either stored in a container, or fed into a glass bin. Your Kristall 2000S will come with a 2 Year Warranty and is certified CE compliant, meaning you're in safe hands. We regularly use this powerful machine in our studio - even after several years it remains an absolutely essential piece of equipment. If you’re still on the learning curve, I’d suggest going for the latter for ease of operation. How often you use the stained glass grinder should have the biggest say in this. 3. Space After hours of research and trying out several products that are regarded as some of the best glass grinders for stained glass, I have identified several models across a range of prices and capabilities. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned stained glass artist, I have rounded up a list of the best grinders for stained glass work! Godora Stained Glass Grinder: Known for easy operation, its 4200 RPM motor ensures speedy grinding. Auto water fill aids clean operation. Its weakness is the potentially ineffective wide baffle design.

Glass grinders come with a manual or automatic cooling mechanism, so you can choose the one that best suits your requirements (and budgets). Do a trial run. Not all glass grinds the same way. Before you get to work on your finished piece, do a test with a scrap piece of glass to gain an understanding of how much pressure you can use without chipping the edges. Its key features include a very quiet motor that produces 19 ounce-inches of torque and 3,450 rpm. Its less powerful engine, combined with an 8” by 9” surface, make it an ideal glass grinder for hobbyists or individuals looking to cut smaller pieces of glass. Pay attention to the direction you move the glass. If you move your glass into the spin of the bit, it will grind faster (and more harshly). To work on a delicate section, always move the glass in the same direction the bit is spinning (if you can). If you’re serious about the art of stained glass, but don’t have professional level requirements, this is your best bet.The grinding bit is cooled via a sponge which draws water from a reservoir below. The Kristall 1S comes complete with 1x 19 mm standard grit grinding head, sponge, hex key and instructions. Sometimes, having a larger space, even if your glass pieces are small, is just more comfortable and convenient.