If you want to achieve a smooth finish on a flat surface, you need a metal surface grinder. It's a handy tool that will be key when you are smoothing out a metal surface. There is a lot to know about surface grinders, as there are a few different types out there. That's why we're here to explain how a metal surface grinder works.

What Is a Metal Surface Grinder?

A metal surface grinder is a tool capable of grinding metal surfaces down to be flat and level. It's quite an abrasive machining process, featuring solid grinding wheels. These grinding wheels spin at an extraordinary speed to grind away differences in the height of the surface.

A grinding wheel contains rigid composite material such as coarse aggregate. As a result, it's tough enough to grind down even the strongest of metal surfaces.

Clamping tools are also utilized to hold the material in place. These clamps are called 'chucks,' and they come in a few forms. These include:

• Magnetic chuck
• Vacuum chuck

A metal surface grinder also uses a table that will move along with the face of the grinding wheel.

Types of Power Surface Grinders Use

A surface grinder can use multiple sources of power. The most common include:

• Hydraulic power
• Manual
• Electric

A typical setup looks like this:

• The longitudinal feed features hydraulic power
• The crossfeed uses manual or electric power

When selecting power sources, consider the end-use of your surface grinder. This will help you determine which source of power is best for your machine.

Surface Grinders With Horizontal Spindles

Some surface grinders have horizontal spindles. In these setups, the flat edge of the wheel makes contact with the workpiece. The grinding wheel will slowly turn the workpiece into a flat surface. It’s best to use a horizontal spindle for:

• Straight-flat surfaces
• Conical or curved surfaces
• Slots
• Flat surfaces around the shoulders
• Recessed surfaces
• Profiles

Vertical Spindle Grinders

The other option is a surface grinder with a vertical spindle. In this case, the face of the wheel is used on a flat surface. That is known as face grinding, and it's used for removing material quickly. However, some vertical machines can do work with a high amount of precision.

So, there's how a metal surface grinder works. We hope this has helped educate you on which type of surface grinder you need for your next project. At Penn Tool Co., we sell an excellent high precision surface grinder. For different types of grinders and all the metalworking advice you need, check out our products and blog.