Surface Grinder

Surface grinders are most commonly used in the finishing process. They can remove a large amount of material in a short amount of time, creating a smooth surface finish that increases a piece's visual appeal.

This depends on the material, how thin your piece is, and how long you're machining it for. The heat generated by the grinding process can distort material if it has low thermal conductivity or is too thin.

The term "sparking out" refers to passing the piece under the grinding wheel without resetting the height. This process repeats until the surface has been smoothed to the desired level and the sparks produced by grinding are literally "out."

Surface grinders are best suited to polishing flat surfaces. Although it's possible that a complex piece could be machined with a surface grinder, in most cases, it would be unable to work around complex protrusions or edges without damaging the piece.

Metals such as cast iron, brass, aluminum, and stainless steel are the most common materials, although surface grinders can occasionally be used on plastics. Soft materials or materials with residue that could clog the grinding wheel aren't suitable.