The Grinder Project

Hand-driven tools and machines can often replace electrical ones, as long as they are well-designed and maintained. Due to the overkill of power that comes from the socket, electrical tools still work when they are blunt; hand tools won’t. As a fundamental step towards a sustainable practice, Jelle Seegers designed a non-electric system to sharpen tools in a workshop. ‘The Grinder Project’ combines the mechanics of antique foot- and hand-powered machines with modern-day technical innovations and iterative prototyping. Made from remelted scrap zinc and re-used wood, this upcycled grinder sharpens well and safely, and will outlast many generations.