bench grinder abrasive type for tungsten electrodes?

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Can anyone suggest the type of abrasive I should be using to grind tungsten electrodes on a bench grinder? Standard Alumina Oxide, Silicon Carbide, Diamond, etc.Thanks in advanceLast edited by sdonecker; 01-24-2005 at 03:45 PM.
Reply:I believe most of the commercial (pupose built) tungsten grinders use a diamond impregnated wheel.  I have had pretty good luck with the white aluminum oxide wheel that came on my little delta grinder.  Basically you want something that will cut relatively fast and give you a fine surface finish.Don S
Reply:I've found that grinding an electrode on the bench grinder isn't the best way. I find that the electrode buries itself into the wheel.I've read that the best way (besides spending big bucks on a "tungsten grinder") is to sand it on a belt sander. This is how I do all of mine now. It works great.I bought a cheap benchtop belt sander on sale at Sears for $79. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=YesHarbor Freight, Delta and few others make an inexpensive belt sander like this one.I put the tungsten is a drill and sand it while spinning it in the drill. Works great, and you can put different grit belts on it. I typically use a 40 grit or so then move up to 120. You can easily switch belts to get a smoother finish. Another tip: sand a whole bunch at one time...this will save you some time going back to the sander all day. Also, MAKE SURE you use a dust mask. You don't want to be breathing that tungsten dust into your lungs.Hope this helps.Vader
Reply:Thanks for the replies, I ended up trying both methods of tungsten grinding and with aluminum oxide abrasives and ended up using the grinder method mostly. I just don't want to devote my belt sander to the task, and changing the belts can be a pain. When I originally posted this thread I though I needed some sort of abrasive that was more exotic than aluminum oxide. It turns out that aluminum oxide sanding belts or grinding wheels work fine. -Stephen
Reply:I just bought something that looks like sand and you short out the tungsten then dip it in this stuff and it sharpens it. Have not tried it yet $8 a jarCBT
Reply:Originally Posted by CBTI just bought something that looks like sand and you short out the tungsten then dip it in this stuff and it sharpens it. Have not tried it yet $8 a jar
Reply:120 grit 6" wheel on a pedstal grinder that goes 3750 rpm..thats my wheel of choice.. diamond wheel? if you have the $$$$$$ to burn go for it..and if the regular type wheel like i use gets "grooved"thats what a stone dresser is made for.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by rloaircoolAnyone have any more info on this product?
Reply:That is called Chem Sharp.  Your LWS should have it or be able to get it.  personally I would take the 8 bucks to Mickey D's instead.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:I have a bottle of the chemical that causes the point to sharpen. It's faster and better to slip the tngsten out and sharpen it on a fine grindstone like Mr. Zap says. Been doing it thataway for years. The chemical stuff makes me nervous anyway.
Reply:You can typically buy used Amplex diamond wheels on ebay that can mount in your grinder and they do an excellent job.  I bought one used for about $12 to $15 bucks, mounted it up and it grinds beautifully. I bought the fine grit version and it should last a long long time.  No need to spend big bucks.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterstay away from that stuff... ...zap!
Reply:Horrible Fright has a 3in bench grinder that seems to be quite popular for grinding tungstens...