A grinder is a machine tool, which is used for producing very fine finishes or making very light cuts, using an abrasive wheel as the cutting device. This wheel can be made up of various sizes and types of stones, diamonds or of inorganic materials. There are many different types of grinders, all set up for different applications. Belt grinders use a large belt to sand off a flat piece with a conveyor feeding the pieces through. A centerless grinder is used for through feed or in feed grinding; this is good for grinding cylindrical parts and production. A cylindrical grinder holds the piece between the work head and the tailstock. It also does plunge grinding. This is good for cylindrical parts that are larger. They will grind to a desired thickness and finish.

Grinding Coolants are used in metalworking. It is very effective on all standard steels and cast iron.