Bench grinders are usually a smaller machine than a pedestal grinder (a similar device, except it is mounted on it’s own pedestal), which is fastened on a to a workbench or other appropriate surface.

Bench grinders typically contain an electric motor with a grinding wheel mounted on each end of a spindle. The spindle may be driven by v-belts or directly by the motor. The spindle usually rests on ball bearings, to allow for high speeds without as much vibration.

Usually, each grinding wheel will have a different granularity. Typically, one will be coarse and the other will be fine grained for finishing. These wheels can often be replaced with brushes or cutting pads.

Depending on the model, bench grinders may or may not have other features, such as safety glass shields, variable speeds, spark guards, wheel guards, work lights or material rests.

Popular manufacturers of bench grinders are: DeWalt, Ryobi, and Black & Decker but many other brands exist, such as Jet, Powertech, Skil, Delta, Neiko, etc.

When using a bench grinder, it is recommended to use safety equipment like goggles and gloves and to keep a pot of water nearby to dip the material in for cooling periodically, if appropriate. However, one should be careful to avoid sudden temperature changes, which could make metal crack or become brittle.

Ongoing maintenance of the bench grinder may include cleaning, lubricating, and changing of the grinding wheels. It’s important to follow manufacturer specifications for these processes as failure to do so could result in a broken grinder or injury.