stained glass/glass grinder

TheCharmedLife · #1 07-14-2002, 01:41 PM

I have a question for those of you who are really experienced in stained glass. When I first started working with stained glass I was determined not to buy a grinder but I have about decided that I need one. Buying a toyo cutter did help with smoother breaks but still..... I'm getting frustrated and I think a grinder will help. It hasn't been such a big deal with my mosaic work since grout hides a multitude of sins (and less than smooth edges) but I'm really trying to improve my copper foil work.

So, can anyone recommend a good inexpensive grinder to start with?

Thanks,

Becca

Laura Brito · #2 07-14-2002, 01:44 PM

There are a bunch on the market and one time a while ago I was going to buy one, but didn't because I didn't go that way. I started melting glass instead. Have you checked out ebay? I see alot of them on there at prices that are much lower than the stores. You might want to get one from there, I haven't seen a consumer reports type thing on grinders so I can't tell you which one is the good one. Sorry.

I hope someone else will share their thoughts on this with you too!
Laura

TheCharmedLife · #3 07-14-2002, 01:54 PM

I have looked on ebay and thought the prices looked better than most retail stores (not that I have anywhere local that sells this type thing) but that's why I'm asking. I just have no clue in the differences in the grinders and there are huge price differences in some cases. Maybe somebody can tell me......

Thanks for the help.

Becca

macbeth7 · #4 07-14-2002, 01:59 PM

Hi Becca,

I don't have the answer for you, but I'm sure one of our stained glass people will jump in when they get a chance...good luck!

Beth

Lynne Smith · #5 07-14-2002, 05:09 PM

Hi Becca,
I don't live in the States so don't know how useful my input will be. I have been doing stained glass for 6 years. You definately need a grinder. The one I use is called glastar and I have been very happy with it. Sorry I don't know about any other makes.
Lynne

Stacylynne · #6 07-14-2002, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheCharmedLife
I have a question for those of you who are really experienced in stained glass. When I first started working with stained glass I was determined not to buy a grinder but I have about decided that I need one. Buying a toyo cutter did help with smoother breaks but still..... I'm getting frustrated and I think a grinder will help. It hasn't been such a big deal with my mosaic work since grout hides a multitude of sins (and less than smooth edges) but I'm really trying to improve my copper foil work.

So, can anyone recommend a good inexpensive grinder to start with?

Thanks,

Becca

Becca Hello, Ok most of your frustration will fly out the window when you get a grinder actually all of it to say the least. If you can not buy a grinder right away I may suggest to you a Sickle Stone? Most stained glass stores carry them. Its like a stone that has permante sand paper on it ans it helps smoothes out the glass. Can you Imagine how they did it in the day when no grinders were invented? they used a stone or rock and Im sure dipped it in to water. I am not sure of what kind of grinder you'd like to purchase but go on line and look under Stained glass supplies, A student of mine got an Inland Grinder (newest model and really huge) for 125 its is rather Big, I would also recommend you looking in the newspaper under classified adds in the art section. Hope this helps. here is a link to where I teach Glass classes at (last time it didn't work (The Link) hope this time it does) Stacylynne www.beveldine.com

lvideki · #7 07-14-2002, 06:46 PM

I started on a Wizling Grinder by Inland....it is under $100 (I think about $75-80)....and a good starter. I did graduate to a Bevel Max grinder by Diamond Tech...... it has a disc grinder and a regular grinding head. I love that one.....except that it is messy. That one was about $200.

Grinders are fun.....don't be worried about using one....I love mine!

Leslie

MaureenKennedy · #8 07-14-2002, 09:12 PM

I too, when I started stained glass, held the purist ideal that if I scored the glass correctly, I shouldn't need a grinder. Well I got rid of that idea reql quick. In the "Old Days" they used grozier pliers and nibbled away at the glass and most stained glass was done in lead came so the nibbles did not show (sorta like your mosaic work). I have primarily glastar grinders - they last forever and have wonderful service. I still have their smallest one that I bought 12 years ago and it is still going great! I have about 4 now, the one I use the most (Because I make jewelry boxes) is the flat disc grinder which is like the Diamond max someone mentioned here. You won't regret buying one. One piece of advice though, if you are grinding for copperfoil windows, buy one with smaller head because the larger heads won't go into small areas (also if you can afford it, get it with the attached me to put the 1/4'th inch head on top of the regular grinding head - you need that for really tight spaces.

Beaditudes · #9 07-14-2002, 09:34 PM

I recently did some research on grinders/prices. Here's what I came up with (in order to compare to grinders posted on ebay):

Glastar (Allstar) - $189
Wizard IV - $159
Diamond Max - $159
Superwiz - $135
Wizard - $119
Superstar - $114
Gryphon - $109
Wizard Contour - $99
Diamond Star - $89
Wizling - $79

Of course, the Glastar was touted as the "best" & it's the priciest! Some of those offered on Ebay were MORE than I could find @ Glasscrafters, Delphiglass, Stained Glass Resource to name a few.

Hope this helps,

Deborah

macbeth7 · #10 07-14-2002, 09:39 PM

Hi Deborah,

Welcome to WC!

Beth

TheCharmedLife · #11 07-15-2002, 11:00 AM

Thanks for all the input. I will definitely be buying a grinder, hopefully Friday. I am making the 200 mile round trip to the closest glass shop (and maybe only in my state!). Gosh, my heart skips a beat just thinking about going. lol

Thanks to all of you who responded.

Becca

Salute to our Partners