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An 8-inch bench grinder is the size most woodworking shops settle on. The wheel is big enough for a flatter hollow grind, the 1-inch width supports wide chisels and gouges, and almost every sharpening jig, CBN wheel and wheel dresser is made for it. It is also the grinder that turns up most often under a Oneway Wolverine or RIKON jig.
The catch is that "8-inch bench grinder" covers two very different machines. Slow-speed grinders turn at about 1,750 RPM, the speed the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) recommends for sharpening turning tools. Standard and variable speed grinders run up to 3,400 to 3,600 RPM and are built for metal work as much as for edges. Pick the wrong one and you will either fight heat on every gouge or wait forever to reshape a mower blade. Below are six 8-inch grinders from RIKON, WEN, Laguna and DEWALT, with the specs each maker or retailer publishes.
Our top picks at a glance
Quick picks
- Best Overall for Woodturners: RIKON 80-805. Best for a 1,750 RPM grinder with 60 and 120 grit wheels and a five-year warranty.
- Best Budget Slow-Speed: WEN BG4286. Best for a low-cost 1,750 RPM base for a sharpening jig.
- Best Two-Speed: Laguna G8. Best for a slow sharpening speed and a fast reshaping speed in one machine.
- Best Variable Speed: WEN BG4280. Best for dialing 2,000 to 3,400 RPM in a mixed shop.
- Best Heavy-Duty: DEWALT DW758. Best for daily metal work with a 3/4 HP induction motor and cast iron base.
- Best for Metal and Mixed Shops: RIKON 80-800VS. Best for a 3/4 HP variable speed grinder with a wire wheel for cleanup.
Comparison table
| Grinder | Best for | Speed | Motor | Wheels included | Arbor | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIKON 80-805 | Woodturners | 1,750 RPM | 1/2 HP, 3 A | 8 x 1 in., 60 and 120 grit | 5/8 in. | Check price |
| WEN BG4286 | Budget slow-speed | Up to 1,750 RPM | 3 A, soft start | 8 x 1 in., 60 and 120 grit | 5/8 in. | Check price |
| Laguna G8 | Two speeds | 1,725 or 3,450 RPM | About 1/3 HP low, 1/2 HP high | 8 x 1 in., 60 and 120 grit white | 5/8 in. | Check price |
| WEN BG4280 | Variable speed | 2,000–3,400 RPM | 5 A | 8 x 1 in., 36 and 80 grit | 5/8 in. | See options |
| DEWALT DW758 | Heavy-duty | 3,600 RPM | 3/4 HP induction | 36 and 60 grit | Check manual | Check price |
| RIKON 80-800VS | Metal and mixed | 2,000–3,400 RPM | 3/4 HP | 8 x 1 in. gray wheel plus wire wheel | Check manual | See options |
The best 8-inch bench grinders, reviewed
1. RIKON 80-805 Low Speed Grinder: Best Overall for Woodturners
Who it's for: turners who want one grinder that runs at the right speed for gouges and skews, with good wheels out of the box.
The 80-805 is the grinder we would put under a sharpening jig first. It runs at 1,750 RPM, the speed the AAW's Safety Guidebook for Woodturners calls the best single speed for sharpening turning tools, with a 1/2 HP, 3-amp, 120V motor. It ships with two 8 x 1-inch wheels in 60 and 120 grit on a 5/8-inch arbor, a diamond-faced wheel dresser, and a left tool rest with a groove for drill bits.
RIKON backs it for five years, which is longer than most grinders in this class. The 5/8-inch arbor is the common bore for CBN wheels, so the grinder can grow with you: start with the stock wheels and a dresser, then move to CBN when you get tired of truing aluminum oxide. Our lathe tool sharpening jig guide pairs it with the Oneway Wolverine.
Pros
- 1,750 RPM, the AAW-recommended sharpening speed
- 60 and 120 grit wheels plus a diamond dresser
- 5/8-inch arbor for jigs and CBN upgrades
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Single speed only
- Slow for heavy reshaping
- 1/2 HP motor bogs if you push hard
2. WEN BG4286: Best Budget Slow-Speed
Who it's for: new turners who want the right grinder speed on a tight budget, and plan to spend the savings on a jig.
The BG4286 is WEN's current slow-speed model. WEN lists a 3-amp soft-start motor running up to 1,750 RPM, two 8 x 1-inch aluminum oxide wheels in 60 and 120 grit, and a 5/8-inch arbor, so it accepts the same jigs and upgrade wheels as grinders that cost much more. The warranty is two years.
A soft start matters more than it sounds. The grinder ramps up instead of lurching, which is easier on the bench mount and on you. The trade-off against the RIKON is the shorter warranty and less detail on what is in the box, so plan on buying a wheel dresser if you stay with aluminum oxide wheels.
Pros
- 1,750 RPM at a budget price
- 60 and 120 grit wheels for shaping and sharpening
- 5/8-inch arbor fits common jigs and CBN wheels
- Soft-start motor
Cons
- Two-year warranty
- No dresser listed in the box
- Light enough that it must be bolted down
WEN BG4286 3-Amp 8-Inch Slow Speed Bench Grinder
by WEN
3. Laguna G8 Dual-Speed: Best Two-Speed
Who it's for: turners who sharpen at slow speed but also reshape tools, grind new profiles or clean metal now and then.
The G8 is a two-speed grinder rather than a variable speed one. Retailer spec sheets list 1,725 RPM for sharpening and 3,450 RPM for heavy stock removal, and Laguna's own description says the low speed is for precise sharpening and polishing and helps prevent overheating high-speed steel tools. The 8 x 1-inch wheels sit on a 5/8-inch arbor and come in 60 and 120 grit white aluminum oxide, the cooler-running abrasive many turners prefer.
One retailer lists an AC induction motor rated about 1/3 HP at low speed and 1/2 HP at high speed on 110–120V. A diamond wheel dresser and holder are included, along with rubber feet to reduce vibration. Laguna lists the US SKU as MBGG8-001; the 230V version sold in the UK and EU runs at different speeds, so buy the US model.
Pros
- 1,725 RPM low speed for turning tools
- 3,450 RPM for fast reshaping
- White 60 and 120 grit wheels and a diamond dresser
- 5/8-inch arbor for jigs and CBN wheels
Cons
- Only two speeds, no fine dial
- Modest power at low speed
- Premium price for a two-speed grinder
4. WEN BG4280: Best Variable Speed
Who it's for: home shops that sharpen, deburr and clean metal on one 8-inch grinder and want to slow it down for edges.
WEN's BG4280 uses a 5-amp variable speed motor that runs from 2,000 to 3,400 RPM. It takes two 8 x 1-inch wheels on 5/8-inch arbors and ships with an 80-grit wheel for general grinding and a 36-grit wheel for fast removal. WEN adds a flexible work light, an onboard quenching tray, pivoting work rests, adjustable eye guards and tool-free guard removal for wheel changes. The warranty is two years, and Amazon's listing puts the weight at about 41 lb.
The low end is 2,000 RPM, not 1,750, so it runs a little hotter than a true slow-speed grinder. That is a small gap compared with a fixed 3,450 RPM machine, and the 5/8-inch arbor lets you swap in white or CBN wheels later. Our variable speed bench grinder guide covers this class in more depth.
Pros
- 2,000 to 3,400 RPM speed dial
- 5/8-inch arbor for upgrade wheels
- Work light and quench tray built in
- Tool-free guard removal
Cons
- Low end is above the AAW's 1,750 RPM
- Stock gray wheels run warm on thin edges
- No wheel dresser included
WEN BG4280 5-Amp 8-Inch Variable Speed Bench Grinder with Flexible Work Light
by WEN
Currently unavailable on Amazon
5. DEWALT DW758: Best Heavy-Duty
Who it's for: shops that grind metal every day and want a grinder that holds speed under load for years.
The DW758 is DEWALT's long-running 8-inch grinder. Retail listings describe a 3/4 HP induction motor running at 3,600 RPM, a cast iron base and motor housing, and aluminum tool rests. It ships with 36- and 60-grit wheels, eye shields and spark deflectors, and one listing gives 12-1/2 inches between the wheels, which leaves room to work long parts. It runs on 120V.
This is the most traditional machine here: heavy, single speed and built for metal. It will sharpen turning tools, but at 3,600 RPM with gray wheels it removes steel quickly and builds heat at a thin edge, so it suits turners who already own a slow-speed grinder or who mostly grind metal. If you buy it for edge tools, plan to fit a finer white wheel and use a light touch.
Pros
- 3/4 HP induction motor holds speed
- Cast iron base and motor housing
- Wide spacing between wheels
- Long-running model with easy-to-find parts
Cons
- Single speed, 3,600 RPM
- Coarse stock wheels for edge tools
- Weight varies between listings; check before you plan a mount
6. RIKON 80-800VS: Best for Metal and Mixed Shops
Who it's for: shops that clean rust, paint and grime off metal as often as they sharpen.
RIKON says plainly that the 80-800VS is made for the metalworking trades and positions it alongside its low-speed grinders, which are set up mainly for woodworking tools. It has a 3/4 HP motor with a front dial from 2,000 to 3,400 RPM, an 8 x 1-inch gray aluminum oxide wheel and an 8-inch steel wire wheel. The base has a pullout water tray, and a flexible LED worklight is included.
The wire wheel is the reason to buy it. If you also want to sharpen turning tools, swap the wire wheel for a white grinding wheel, or keep this grinder for metal and add a slow-speed grinder for edges. RIKON also sells a 2-inch-wide guard kit (80-980) that fits this model for wider wheels.
Pros
- 3/4 HP motor with variable speed
- Wire wheel included for cleanup
- Pullout water tray and LED worklight
- Wide-wheel guard kit available
Cons
- RIKON pitches it for metalwork
- Only one grinding wheel in the box
- Low end is 2,000 RPM
RIKON 80-800VS 8 in. Variable Speed Bench Grinder
by RIKON
Currently unavailable on Amazon
Buying guide: choosing an 8-inch bench grinder
Speed: slow, variable or standard
Speed is the first decision, and it depends on what you grind. The AAW's Safety Guidebook for Woodturners says about 1,750 RPM is the best single speed for sharpening turning tools and that the common 3,600 RPM grinder is much too fast for efficient sharpening.
- Slow-speed (about 1,750 RPM): RIKON 80-805, WEN BG4286. Best for turning tools and other edge tools.
- Two-speed: Laguna G8. Slow for sharpening, fast for reshaping.
- Variable (2,000–3,400 RPM): WEN BG4280, RIKON 80-800VS. A compromise for mixed shops.
- Standard (about 3,450–3,600 RPM): DEWALT DW758. Best for metal and heavy removal.
Rim speed rises with both RPM and diameter. An 8-inch wheel at 1,750 RPM moves about 3,700 feet per minute at the rim; the same wheel at 3,600 RPM moves about 7,500. That doubling is why a standard grinder blues a thin edge so quickly.
6 inch vs 8 inch bench grinder
| 6-inch grinder | 8-inch grinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical wheel | 6 x 3/4 in. | 8 x 1 in. |
| Typical arbor | 1/2 in. | 5/8 in. |
| Slow-speed options | Rare | Common (1,750 RPM) |
| Hollow grind | Tighter curve | Flatter curve |
| Jig fit | Wolverine needs a spacer | Designed for it |
| CBN wheel choice | Limited | Wide |
| Footprint | Smaller | Larger, heavier |
| Amazon | See options | See options |
For turners the answer is almost always 8 inches. A 6-inch grinder still makes sense in a cramped shop or for light general use; our 6-inch bench grinder guide covers the best of them.
8 inch bench grinder wheels
Most 8-inch grinders use 8 x 1-inch wheels on a 5/8-inch arbor, but check your manual. Three wheel types matter:
- Gray aluminum oxide (often 36 or 60 grit): general-purpose, good for metal, runs hot on edge tools.
- White aluminum oxide (60 to 120 grit): more friable, so it breaks down to expose fresh grit and runs cooler. This is what the RIKON 80-805, WEN BG4286 and Laguna G8 ship with or offer.
- CBN (cubic boron nitride): a steel hub with abrasive bonded to the rim. It holds its shape, needs no dressing and suits high-speed steel tools. Buy one made for your arbor size and speed.
Whatever you buy, the wheel's maximum RPM rating must be at or above your grinder's top speed. The AAW's sharpening guidance also says never to grind on the side of an aluminum oxide wheel and to keep guards in place.
Is an 8 inch bench grinder 1 HP worth it?
Horsepower ratings get a lot of attention in listings, but for sharpening they matter less than speed, wheel and jig. Light sharpening passes need little power. A 1/2 HP slow-speed grinder is plenty for gouges and skews; it only slows if you lean on the tool, which you should not do anyway. More power, like the 3/4 HP DEWALT DW758 or RIKON 80-800VS, pays off on heavy metal removal, wire-wheel cleanup and long grinding sessions.
Arbor, guards and tool rests
A 5/8-inch arbor gives you the widest choice of upgrade wheels. Look for guards that come off without a fight, eye shields that adjust, and tool rests that can sit close to the wheel. For turning tools, the stock rests matter less, because you will mount a jig base under the grinder. Our lathe tool sharpening jig guide explains the Wolverine-style platform and V-arm setup.
Mounting and vibration
Bolt the grinder to a bench or stand. A grinder that walks is unsafe and gives an uneven grind. If you mount a jig, mount the grinder and jig base to the same board so they never move relative to each other. True or dress aluminum oxide wheels when they vibrate or wear out of round. The AAW recommends wearing a face shield or safety glasses at the grinder and a dust mask when dressing wheels, and keeping a shop vacuum for grinder dust separate from your wood dust collector, since grinding throws sparks.
Using an 8-inch grinder for lathe tools
- Start with a slow-speed grinder or set a variable speed grinder to its lowest setting.
- Use a jig so every grind repeats the last one. Our guide to how to sharpen lathe tools walks through each tool.
- Use light pressure and short passes, and cool carbon steel tools often.
- Dress the wheel when it glazes or runs out of round.
- For bowl gouges, set the jig to repeat your chosen grind each time; see our best bowl gouges guide for common angles.
How we chose
We did not test these grinders ourselves. We compared the specifications RIKON, WEN, Laguna and DEWALT publish with major retailer listings, and weighed them against the AAW's guidance on grinder speed and grinder safety for turning tools. We favored grinders with a standard 5/8-inch arbor and clear speed ratings, and we left out figures that listings disagree on, such as the DW758's weight.
FAQ
What is the best 8-inch bench grinder for sharpening lathe tools?
A slow-speed grinder running at about 1,750 RPM, the speed the AAW recommends for turning tools. The RIKON 80-805 and WEN BG4286 both run at 1,750 RPM with 60 and 120 grit wheels on a 5/8-inch arbor, which fits Wolverine-style jigs and most CBN wheels.
Is a 1 HP 8-inch bench grinder worth it?
Only if you grind heavy metal parts all day. For sharpening, wheel speed, wheel grit and a good jig matter far more than horsepower. A 1/2 HP slow-speed grinder handles turning tools well, and a 3/4 HP grinder such as the DEWALT DW758 holds speed under heavy shop loads.
What size arbor does an 8-inch bench grinder have?
Most 8-inch grinders, including the RIKON 80-805, WEN BG4286, WEN BG4280 and Laguna G8, use a 5/8-inch arbor with 8 x 1-inch wheels. Always confirm in your grinder's manual and buy wheels rated at or above its maximum RPM.
Should I buy a 6-inch or 8-inch bench grinder?
Buy an 8-inch grinder if you sharpen turning tools or other edge tools regularly. The larger wheel gives a flatter hollow grind, 1-inch-wide wheels suit wide tools, and jigs such as the Oneway Wolverine are designed around 8-inch wheels. A 6-inch grinder is fine for light shop work in a small space.
What grit wheels should I use on an 8-inch grinder?
For turning tools, many turners use a coarser wheel around 60 or 80 grit for shaping and a finer 120 grit wheel for sharpening. The RIKON 80-805, WEN BG4286 and Laguna G8 ship with 60 and 120 grit wheels. Gray 36 grit wheels are for heavy metal removal, not edges.
Verdict
For woodturners, the RIKON 80-805 is the best 8-inch bench grinder: the right speed, the right wheels, a dresser and a five-year warranty. The WEN BG4286 gets you the same 1,750 RPM for less, and the Laguna G8 adds a fast speed for reshaping. If your grinder mostly sees metal, the DEWALT DW758 or RIKON 80-800VS is the better fit.