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Slow speed bench grinders are ideal for sharpening as they are smoother, more controllable and are less likely to overheat in the grinding process.
Of course, they can do of a lot more than just sharpening like cleaning up old rusty items and polishing them or shaping metal before fitting or welding,
Like all power tools, the slow speed bench grinder market is incredibly competitive. This can it difficult to know which model is suitable for you.
In this guide, we have brought together 5 of the best slow speed bench grinders for sharpening. For each product, we have listed the pros, cons alongside a quick overview in an attempt to make your decision and easy one!
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
Best Slow Speed Bench Grinder for Sharpening with Reviews In 2024
Here is a list of the best slow speed bench grinders for sharpening we found on the market
1. JET 577103 10-Inch Industrial Bench Grinder - Top Pick
- 1 - 1.5 horsepower, 115v motor turns the wheels at 1,725 RPM
- Enclosed pre-lubricated ball bearings
- Cast-iron wheel guards and dust vents
- One-piece quick adjusting spark guards
- Adjustable tool rests
- Rubber mounts
- Heavy-duty guarded toggle switch
Pros
- Silent operation
- Minimal vibration
- Strong and reliable motor
Cons
- Most expensive option on this list
- Jet sell improved tool rests separately
Overview
Perfect for sharpening, the JET 577103 10-Inch Industrial Bench Grinder is for professionals looking for a new slow speed bench grinder to add to their workshop and is our number one pick. The 1 – 1.5 horsepower motor at the heart of this slow speed bench grinder outputs up to 1,725 RPM, plenty of power for all of your grinding needs.
The build quality is undeniable, with enclosed and pre-lubricated ball bears, cast iron wheel guards with dust vents and rubber mounts. Each exhaust port is 1 ½’’ in size. Each wheel features an adjustable tool rest, eye shields and quick-adjusting spark guards.
The bench grinder comes with two industrial-grade 10’’ wheels (24 and 46 grit), 1’’ thick with a 1’’ shaft, assembly instructions and a 2-year limited warranty. Improved tool rests are available from JET but they are sold separately.
While this isn’t the cheapest bench grinder out there, it is the best. The decision ultimately comes down to you but if you do go with the JET 577103 you can rest easy knowing you have the best money can buy!
2. Rikon 80-805 Slow Speed Bench Grinder - Best Value
- 0.5 horsepower motor with 1,750 RPMs
- 60 and 120 grit white aluminum oxides wheels
- Adjustable safety eye shield, spark resistors and tool rests
- Cast-iron base with anti-vibration rubber feet
- Mounting holes for workbench attachment
- On / off switch with locking key
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Smooth and quiet operation
- Brilliant value for money
Cons
- Tool rests could be designed better
- Has slight vibration and lateral wobble
Overview
The Rikon 80-805 is an excellent value for money option for all grinding operations such as shaping parts, sharpening tools and cleaning objects.
It justs on a ½ horsepower motor running at 1,750 RPMs and 2 x 1’’ in width, white aluminum oxide wheels (60 and 120 grit). The cast-iron base features anti-vibration rubber feet and workbench mounting holes for maximum stability.
Features include adjustable polycarbonate eye shields and spark deflectors for safety. On / off switch with locking key to avoid unwanted use and tool rests for both left and right wheels. This model comes with a 5-year warranty. The tool rests aren’t ideal, you’re better off installing a separate pair. Also, it does produce slight vibration and lateral wobble during use.
This is the top performer at this mid-level price point, offering excellent value for money while saving you a few dollars.
3. Black Bull BG8SS 8-Inch Slow Speed Bench Grinder
- 0.5 horsepower motor generating 1,725 RPM
- Coarse and medium wheels
- LED work light over both wheels
- Tool rests and eye shields for each wheel
- Cast-iron base with rubber feet
Pros
- Best choice for those on a budget
- LED work lighting
- Coarse and medium sharpening wheels are included
Cons
- Lacks the power of a more expensive model
- The instructions are useless
Overview
Our top budget pick goes to the Black Bull BG8SS. Powered by a 0.5 horsepower motor it comes with two wheels, one coarse and one medium running at 3,450 RPM to grind and sharpen a large range of materials.
Each wheel has a tool rest for increased accuracy, eye shields for safety and an LED work light for visibility. The base is made from case-iron and features rubber feet to ensure stability on whatever surface you choose to place it on.
As you’d expect this model does not quite deliver the same levels of power as the more expensive models. Also, the instructions provided are essentially useless.
The super affordable price of Black Bull BG8SS makes it a great slow speed bench grinder for first-time buyers with little to no previous experience.
4. WEN 4286 8-Inch Slow Speed Bench Grinder
- 3 amp motor producing up to 1,750 RPM
- 60 and 120 grit white aluminum oxide wheels (8x1’’)
- Easy wheel guard removal for simple wheel changes
- Adjustable eye guards with magnifier lens
- 5/8'' arbor size
Pros
- Easy wheel guard removal for straightforward wheel changes
- Powerful motor
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Motor runs warm after extended use
- Takes a while to reach full speed and come to a complete stop
Overview
The compact and powerful WEN 4286 is great for sharpening blades and the ideal addition to any workshop. This machine features a powerful yet quiet 3 amp motor producing 1,750 RPMs for all your sharpening need.
Two 8×1 inch white aluminum oxide wheels (60 and 120 grit) are included alongside the grinder. The 60 grit wheel is designed for material removal while the fine 120 grit wheel is for surface finishing and sharpening.
Also included are adjustable eye guards for each wheel, with the eye guard on the 120 grit wheel featuring an in-built magnifier lens. It can take several seconds to reach full speed and the motor will run warm after extended use.
Covered by a two-year warranty, the WEN 4286 is a great option for those in the market for an inexpensive slow speed bench grinder!
5. POWERTEC BGSS801 Slow Speed Bench Grinder
- Cool running 0.5 horsepower induction motor running at 1,725 RPM
- Industrial cast iron motor housing and base
- Locking power switch
- Heavy gauge steel base
- Plexiglas shield on each wheel
Pros
- Noise-free, long-lasting motor
- Sturdy vibration-reducing steel base
- Great value
Cons
- Requires a little fine tuning to remove wobble
- The tool rests are rather small
Overview
The POWERTEC BGSS801 runs on a unique cool-running 0.5 horsepower motor that delivers smooth performance and up to 1,725 RPM for optimal sharpening.
Each wheel features a Plexiglas shield, spark arresters and a tool rest. The base of the grinder is constructed from heavy-gauge steel added durability and minimal vibration. The locking power switch adds an extra layer of safety.
Two white aluminum wheels are included, one 60 grit and one 120 grit and each 8’’ in diameter by 1’’ thick. A one-year limited warranty is also included. Unfortunately, the tool rests on this product are quite small and a little fine-tuning may be needed out of the box to remove the wobble.
Related: Variable Speed Bench Grinders
Wrapping it up
The purpose of this guide was to bring together 5 of the best slow speed bench grinders for sharpening with the intent of making sure there is an option to suit any budget and experience level.
For those who want the best product on the market right now, the Rikon 80-805 is your best bet. While it may come with a slightly higher price tag than other models, the performance is well worth it.
Powerful and reliable motor, solid construction and easy to operate. The Rikon 80-805 this is an all in one bench grinder that does not cut any corners and would make a great addition to any workshop.
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