Lanthanated 1.5% vs. 2%

admin

I just got some 1.5% lanthanated tungsten to try for the ell of it. I didn't think to check which.From my sig, you'll see I'm running scratch start on a transformer Lincoln stick machine.I saw on Jody's site he sometimes uses 2% and is happy with it.What are the pro / con application specific (inverter vs. transfromer, etc.) details I should be aware of as it applies to my learning curve?Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.
Reply:My opinion with a transformer machine is red or green. I play with all of them with minimal results on steel and stainless, but with aluminum you will get different results with your bead width due to different balling effects. Only my opinion  but I do try everything I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:I use them all but find the 2% seems to last the longest especially from about 100 amps and up. To bad it's radioactive...
Reply:Lanthanated tungsten electrodes aren't radioactive, 2% thoriated electrodes are... but still, just don't breathe the dust when you grind them and you're fine.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Lanthanated is great stuff.  2% is better than 1.5%, err, it's like an amp that goes to 11 instead of 10.  It's used for AC mostly but can go DC.Red is the best for DC.  It really has very little Radioactive danger.  The radioactivity of the Thoria is supposed to help with arc starts.You're not gonna be trying to weld DC over 125 amp, so any 3/32" tungsten but pure will work great.  Pure melts and forms an annoying ball that makes the arc wide.  Happens on an inverter too.  The balling of pure was traditionally used on Tranny machines for Aluminum welding.Sorry if you think you're gonna learn Aluminum on that machine because you are not.  You'll need a HF box, and even with that, it's nearly impossible to do.  I had the same setup as you at one point AND an HF box.  It's fine on DC.Unfortunately, if you're looking for the magic bullet to make you learn tig welding fast, you will waste money and become disappointed.   I bought all sorts of crap when I started including a Dynasty 200.  I thought my inability was secondary to a bad machine or lack of a feature.  My inability was my lack of hood time as was explained to me here but I refused to listen to it.So keep the 1.5% and keep practicing.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Thanks, I was just concerned if the 1.5% would be a significant drawback over the 2%. The arc seems to be the same as the thoriated I have.Yeah, I'm aware aluminum is not an option. I posted here about adding an HF box, but without foot pedal ability and amperage limits its not a viable option.I bought the Lincoln as a step up over the AC stick machine I had so I could get to where I am: DC stick and scratch start tig. I gets me quality hood time.I'm continuing to research AC/DC tig machines so when, or if, the time comes I can make an informed decision.Since it appears the USA is in the process of being flushed down the toilet, that time is nowhere on the horizon at this point.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.
Reply:Love your Sig BTWTA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverLanthanated tungsten electrodes aren't radioactive, 2% thoriated electrodes are... but still, just don't breathe the dust when you grind them and you're fine.
Reply:These were all done with 1% Lanthinated.......Balled up sooner with the settings I used but other than dressing it more it works fine........Last edited by B_C; 12-22-2012 at 02:16 PM.  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by gocirinoThat's what I said.....
Reply:I think a lot of guys use "2%" as shorthand for "2% thoriated", even when you might be talking about ceriated and/or lanthanated in the same conversation. I've heard guys say it and I've seen it written on the various forums. Can get a little confusing.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Love your Sig BTW
Reply:With the intro. of Inverter machines there are so many NEW tungsten's on the market that it's over whelming, even for the experienced tig guys.......What used to be the choice of TWO  is now at least 6 different types.....Some will work OK with the TRANNY machines........The way you prep the Tungsten now is completely different so a guy needs to experiment around to see what works and what doesn't......I pretty much have stayed with 2% Lanthinated for AC and Cereated for DC  but they advertise they work for both on Inverters........I think just about all the new tungstenwill work for DC on any machine......  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock