The disclosure relates to a hardbanding removal apparatus and method for use with oilfield tubulars and downhole tools. The apparatus includes a tiltable frame with support arm, a grinding wheel coupled to the support arm, and an idler wheel assembly to supply mechanical feedback to the grinding wheel through the support arm. The mechanical feedback allows the grinding wheel to remove hardbanding accurately and uniformly on tubulars that are eccentric, curved, or have eccentric hardbanding. The tiltable frame enables grinding of tapered sections of the tubular without reorienting the tubular. The method includes removing hardbanding using the apparatus.