Whether you are a beginner metalworker or an experienced one, a hobbyist or a professional, you should have a surface grinder in your shop. If you’re a metalworking veteran, there’s a good chance you already use this tool daily. It can save you many shop hours, and because it is automatic, you can redistribute manpower to more important tasks. Keep reading for all the benefits of the different types of surface-grinding techniques. You may be surprised by how useful one tool can be.

What Is the Surface-Grinding Process?

The surface-grinding process involves smoothing out the surface of a metallic or nonmetallic material with various grinding machines and tools. Surface grinding can help refine the surface of a piece as a part of the finishing process, or it can help a material attain a more workable surface for better functionality. This process is commonly used in the automotive industry but is also used in various wood and metalworking practices.

Benefits of Surface Grinding

There are several benefits to adding a machine shop surface grinder to your business. They’re excellent for grinding materials down to highly precise measurements. This ensures your measurements for your most precise projects are accurate down to a T. Surface grinders are also great for providing smooth finishes to your completed pieces and materials. The finishing process is faster than ever with a surface grinder. And with the help of a work-holding device like a chuck, the grinder automatically can do all of this and more.

Types of Surface Grinders

Surface grinders are versatile tools not only because of their various benefits but also because they come in many different types. Here are some of the most common types of surface grinders you might find around a workshop:

• Horizontal-spindle (peripheral) surface grinders. You might encounter the peripheral surface grinder as a reciprocating table or a rotary table, though the table variety is most common. These grinders are mounted horizontally so that your workpiece contacts the periphery (or flat edge), which produces a flat surface. These grinders excel at high-precision jobs that require tapered edges or angles, and they can accommodate materials in a range of sizes.
• Vertical-spindle (wheel-face) grinders. Vertical spindles use a cup, disc, cylinder, or segmented wheel on a flat surface. You will lower this wheel face down to the working material surface. These grinders are effective at finishing and removing access materials quickly. Like the horizontal grinder, this version is also available in the reciprocating table and rotary table varieties.
• Disc and double-disc grinders. You can find these grinders in both horizontal and vertical spindle variants. Disc grinders allow you a lot of space to work with and have a large, flat grinding surface. Double-disc grinders even allow you to finish both sides of the material at the same time.
• Work-holding devices. Metalworkers often use work-holding devices when operating surface grinders. These devices help ensure accurate grinding and even help avoid injury and contact with the grinder. One of the most common types of work-holding devices is the magnetic chuck. Various chucks are used in grinding and many other metalworking processes.

Not every type of grinder will be the right fit for every workshop, so make sure to understand the differences before you invest. You’ll also want to know the applications for the different grinders.

Surface Grinding Applications and Techniques

Now that you understand the different types of surface grinders, discover how you can implement them into your various workshop processes. Because these grinders are quite multi-purpose tools, you can use them for several jobs around the shop. You might even be able to cut out a few tools and steps that become obsolete in the process.

• Sanding. Sanding is one of the most common applications the surface grinder fulfills. It can handle various sanding jobs, from rough sanding and burr removal to sanding that is fine enough to precision adjust the measurements of your materials.
• Polishing. The next step after sanding is polishing, and the surface grinder is flexible enough to accomplish this too. Whether you want to further smooth out a rough surface, buff, or polish, you can adjust this tool to do so.
• Finishing. When you’ve finished welding or metalworking and need those last few touches on your project, your surface grinder can provide the perfect finish or refinish. Double-disc grinders are particularly effective for this job because they can work multiple sides of a material at once.
• Cleaning. Surface grinders can also clean and remove unwanted buildup from your materials. For example, this grinder can remove rubber, welding marks, and even corrosion without damaging the piece. If you want to simply strip paint from some of your materials, this grinder is a great tool for the job.

With the help of different types of surface grinding techniques, you can accomplish all these jobs around the shop and more.

Materials

Grinding wheels are made of abrasive, hard materials that won’t break down quickly. You’ll most commonly find grinders made from aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, diamond, and cubic boron nitride (or CBN). Each wheel has a different hardness and grit, which can be used for various materials and projects.

Some metallic materials are more compatible for surface grinding than others. Cast iron and mild steel are going to respond best to this process, as they shouldn't gum up your grinding wheel. Aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and even specific plastics are some more of your best bets when it comes to grindable materials.

Any welding, metal, or woodworking shop can benefit from investing in a surface grinder. These tools are multi-functional, meaning they can accomplish tasks that would otherwise require multiple traditional hand tools. Plus, some grinder machines have the option to operate automatically, saving your shop time and manpower. When you master these various techniques for using the surface grinder, your shop will grow in no time. If you are looking to add a surface grinder to your own machine lineup, shop Penn Tool Co. for a tool you can trust. Penn Tool Co. has a variety of grinder types and models, so you’re sure to find the right fit for your workshop.