Woodworking Tip: Clever Bench Grinder Guards
Over the years, my bench grinder has proved to be a valuable addition to my shop. It still runs like a champ, but the original, clear plastic guards yellowed and cracked some time ago. Rather than spend the time and effort to find OEM replacements, I made my own from a pair of inexpensive safety glasses meant for short-term visitors. The lenses, designed to fit over regular glasses, are large and offer excellent clarity. To make the guards, I removed the temples and cut through the bridge with a fine-toothed blade on my band saw. To fasten them to the grinder, I drilled holes near the nose pads and used the original bolts, washers, and wingnuts to attach them.
—David DePauw, Cincinnati, Ohio
Fine-Tune Your Bench Grinder for Better Performance
Making safety upgrades like custom bench grinder guards is the perfect time to ensure your grinder is running at peak performance. Even high-quality grinders can develop vibration issues due to slightly misaligned flange washers. These stamped steel components aren’t always perfectly true, but a small adjustment can make a big difference.
Start by marking the positions of your washers and grinding wheel. Loosen the shaft nut and rotate each washer—one clockwise, one counterclockwise—just a half inch. Hand-tighten the nut and spin the wheel manually to check for improvement. This adjustment helps eliminate wheel wobble and improves grinder safety.
If the wheel still moves side-to-side, remove it and check the shoulder of the motor shaft. A small burr here can affect alignment and prevent your bench grinder shield or wheel from seating properly. Use a file to smooth it, flatten the washers on sandpaper, reassemble, and dress the wheel for a more accurate grind.
Want a deeper dive into maintenance techniques? Check out our Woodcraft Tech Tip: Bench Grinders for step-by-step instructions on truing your wheels and optimizing grinder performance.
Upgrade or Replace Your Grinder
If your bench grinder is past its prime or you’re ready for an upgrade, explore the full grinder collection at Woodcraft. You’ll find trusted brands like RIKON, TORMEK® and Festool, as well as replacement wheels, accessories and safety gear to keep your grinder running smoothly and safely.
