Flat grinding, a.k.a. surface grinding, produces a smooth, accurate, flat surface on machine parts, tools, and dies. Flat grinding machines may have the axis of the wheel either horizontal or vertical to the surface of the work.

With the horizontal type flat grinder, the workpiece is attached to a movable table and as that table is advanced across the flat grinding wheel, the part will automatically or manually be completely ground.

The vertical type flat grinder uses a cup-shaped wheel. These flat grinding machines often have a large rotating table to which the work is attached. As the table slowly rotates, the workpiece is forced into the grinding wheel.