Grinders & Sanders for Your Home Garage

NAPA Sell the Best Belt Sanders & Grinders

If you’re a repair professional, artisan or even a seasoned at-home mechanic, you know how important power tools are when it’s time to get the job done. Sure, everyone needs a good cordless drill driver, a few sturdy hammers and maybe even a good shop saw. 

But, when an old part needs restored or that classic 1972 Chevy Chevelle needs new paint work, the only tool for the job is a grinder. In fact, the hidden secret of the best professionals and home repair enthusiasts is a grinder. It’s the multi-use tool you didn’t know you couldn’t live without!

What Are the Types of Grinders?

There are a few main types of grinders you can get:

• Angle Grinder
• Die Grinder
• Bench Grinder

One of these things is not like the other. Both angle grinders and die grinders are handheld tools that grind and resurface materials, whereas a bench grinder is a large machine, which either mounts to the surface of your workbench or sits on a stand. While angle grinders and die grinders cut and polish metal and other materials, a bench grinder can only grind and polish.

So, what is the difference between an angle grinder and a die grinder? An angle grinder is large and powerful, often designed with a perpendicular handle to help control the tool. The Milwaukee Tool M18 Cordless 4 1/2-Inch Cut-Off Grinder is powerful yet easy to use. It is designed with a 3-position side handle for maximum control, and the 4-pole motor delivers optimal power. The convenient paddle switch design is comfortable to operate in nearly any position. 

Certain models are designed with safety in mind and feature a “braking” system. Known as braking grinders, they are designed with kickback reduction and automatic shutoff to prevent injury to the tool and the user. The DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V Max Cordless Angle Grinder features a kickback brake and 13 amps of power. The E-CLUTCH activates in less than 1/10 of a second when a pinch or stall is detected, cutting off the motor. It accommodates up to a 6-inch wheel for cutting and grinding. Upgrade and get more with 2 FLEXVOLT 9.0 ah Batteries, a fast charger and contractor bag.

A die grinder, also known as a straight grinder, uses sharp bits fixed on a spindle. Its name may sound foreboding, but it comes from the tool’s original use: sharpening metal dies for punching forms into sheet metal. The DeWalt Air Angle Die Grinder packs a punch with 25,000 RPM, cushioned ergonomic grip for comfortable, long-term use and a self-locking touch control trigger to prevent accidental startups. You can use it to both grind and polish. The smaller version is known as a rotary tool, which is great for small-scale projects like woodworking details, surface prep for gluing or sharpening knives or chainsaws. 

Choosing the Right Bench Grinder

Because a bench grinder is a large and powerful stationary tool that will take up a good amount of space in your workshop or on your workbench, it’s a good idea to know what to shop for before making the investment. A few things to consider:

• Size. Bench grinders are categorized by the size of the wheel they use. An 8-inch grinder uses an 8-inch wheel and a 6-inch grinder uses a 6-inch wheel. A 6-inch bench grinder is ideal for a home workshop. For a production-focused or industrial environment, the size and power of an 8- to 10-inch bench grinder would work better.

• Amps. Just like most motors, bigger means more power. Consider how often you’ll use your grinder and how much power it will draw, as well as your electrical requirements. 

• RPMs. Typical grinders run around 3,000–3,600 RPM. For an at-home bench grinder, you may want to consider something slower like 1,725–1,800 RPMs. Slower RPMs run cooler and offer more control.

NAPAonline.com carries a wide range of bench grinders and standing grinders from which to choose. This 6-Inch Bench Grinder from Jet is a great space-saving option that doesn’t skimp on power. It features enclosed pre-lubricated ball bearings and rubber mounts to minimize vibration, as well as quick-adjusting eye shields. Both coarse and fine grind wheels are included. 

DeWalt’s 8-Inch Corded Bench Grinder offers 4.2 AMPs and a 3,600 RPM motor. Additionally, it features precision-crafted aluminum tool rests so you can control the position of your work. If you’re looking for something with more than just grinding capability, the Jet 8-Inch Industrial Grinder and Belt Sander Combo unites grinding and sanding into one space-saving machine. It features a heavy-duty capacitor motor, rubber-sealed bearings for maintenance-free use on the idle wheel and a unique safety guard surrounding the sanding belt. 

Shop Grinders & Sanders at NAPA Auto Parts

NAPA Auto Parts carries a vast selection of grinders and sanders from angle grinders and die grinders to bench top grinders, all from premium brands like DeWalt, Jet, Milwaukee Tool and many more. We also supply all the sanding discs and grinding wheels you need to get into the grind. While you’re shopping, don’t forget to stock up on safety equipment. Grinding and sanding any material is potentially harmful, so you should equip your workspace with eye and face protection, as well as heavy-duty gloves and an emergency first aid kit. 

Additionally, you can get rewarded for buying all your sanding and grinding tools at NAPA as we now offer even more savings with NAPA Rewards. Sign up to earn points on all your automotive parts, maintenance products, garage tools and customized accessories. You’ll receive 1 Point for every $1 you spend. Collect 100 points, and you automatically get $5 off your next order. Best of all, there’s no card to carry or key fob to flash. Your NAPA Rewards membership is part of your NAPAonline account so that you can track your Rewards online. Sign up today and save! 

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.