A Machine tool used for producing very fine finishes or making very light cuts, using an abrasive wheel as the cutting device. For machines used to reduce particle size in materials processing see grinding.

The machine consists of a power driven grinding wheel spinning at the required speed (which is determined by the wheels diameter and manufacturers rating) and a bed to hold the work-piece. The Grinding head can be controlled to travel across a fixed work piece or the workpiece can be moved whilst the grind head stays in a fixed position. Very fine control of the grinding head or tables position is possible using a vernier calibrated hand wheel, or using the features of NC or CNC controls.

These machines include the

• Surface grinder which includes the wash grinder
• Cylindrical grinder of which the centerless grinder is another type.
• Tool and Cutter grinder which can perform the function of the drill bit grinder, or other specialist toolroom grinder.

Contrast these machines against Angle grinder, Bench grinder and Buffing machine .