Handheld Tungsten Grinders

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I have a question for the other TIG weldors on the forum. I currently sharpen my tungsten on a bench grinder, but was looking at the newfangled handheld diamond wheeled tungsten grinders that they sell on the net. Does anyone here have any exerience with them? They are pretty expensive, but they look handy. Does anyone recommend a certain brand or type?QMiller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:They're nice, and work well.  They will get a consistent angle every time. However, they're slow.  I prefer not to use them unless I'm using some automated or robotic equipment.  Even then, I can get a consistent enough point on them that I often decide to grind on a bench grinder and save some time.If you were to start out with a new tungsten, it would likely take you 10 minutes to get it ground to a point.  If you use them, they're best for "tune up" on an existing point.  The longer you wait to sharpen them (duller they are), the more time it will take to sharpen it.
Reply:I have the Sharpie hand held tungsten grinder.   I like it, it works very well, and the angle is consistent.  The angle is also easily adjustable with a flat-tip screwdriver and the grinder includes guides for different tungsten diameters.The little grinder sharpens a tungsten in about as much time as it takes me to sharpen one on the bench grinder (a minute or two at most, never timed it), with the benefit being that I don't need to keep a dedicated grinding wheel on another bench grinder for tungstens and I don't need to chuck the tungsten in a drill before grinding it either.  I keep the little Sharpie grinder right by my welding table so I don't have to get off my stool to sharpen a tung if I don't want to.  Saves some time.  Actually, when I think about the total time saved by using the Sharpie right at my welding station and not fooling around with a drill, the Sharpie is faster than a bench grinder.   I don't notice it taking very long to sharpen a new tungsten, no more than on a bench grinder anyways.  The tungsten does get hot in the hand when sharpening a new one though!   The Sharpie also has a slot for scoring the tungsten for breaking it to length, or cutting straight through it, which a bench grinder doesn't offer.  It was expensive (about $275), but it's been worth the price to me.  I got mine at www.arc-zone.com.  HTP also sells them: www.htpweld.com.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:i found a 4-1/2" diamond wheel (home depot $25)designed for cutting tile like a saw..but on the sides the diamond extends back from the radius for about 3/8". (there is a 3/8" band on both sides embedded with diamond.) I can sharpen a new tungsten on this in less than a minute, rolling it between  thumb and forefinger.I hold the angle grinder in my left hand, with the disc facing up turning horizontally, and touch it at three oclock with the tungsten pointing away to get the "grooves" in line with the tungsten not going across it. The only issue is the angle .
Reply:I guess I have a different calibration point for expensive....I have the unit that became the Triad that is offered by Weldcraft.  It'll run you about $1300.00 all said and done with the duel wheels.  One rough and one fine.  It produces excellent quality tips, and I would recommend this over bench model automatic tungsten grinders.  Bench models can run as high as $8000.00, so this little guy is a deal for me.http://www.weldcraft.com/
Reply:I have a sharpie and it works great and not that bad of a price. I was looking at a Diamond grinding wheel and a benh grinder and for just a bit more  Igot a Sharpie and more bench top space.
Reply:Thanks for the info fellas, the sharpie looks like the best bang for the buck, and if it works as well as you guys say it does, then its probably not a bad investment. Its between the sharpener, and the millermatic 212. We will see.Miller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2