tungsten splinter

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When I'm redressing 2% lanthanated electrodes because of having dipped in the puddle I trim off about 1/2 inch.  Using a side cutter will end up with splintering the electrode so instead I use the corner of the grinding wheel while spinning the electrode. Then when it gets thin enough I just snap it off and regrind the point.I'd like to hear if there is a better way to trim off or cut lanthanated trodes.
Reply:That's how I do it too.  It is probably the best way, but it does round over the corner of your wheels pretty quickly.
Reply:I put it in a vise and snap it off, then grind a point. I am by no means an expert but that is how I do it. I have been wondering the same thing and am curious on the answers you will get.Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:Tungsten Electrode Sharpener:http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...FdOf4AodIEUAWgBuy 2, they're small!The Deluxe model is a must-have:http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...FQqk4AodqVoACwComplete system includes a vacuum to collect and contain the carcinogenic dust!- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:thanks mondo.  just the kind of help i need.   at that price they better dance
Reply:Originally Posted by filletheadthanks mondo.  just the kind of help i need.   at that price they better dance
Reply:The best TIG man I know chucks his tungsten 'trodes in a portable drill and spins 'em on a backwards facing pedestal grinder that has no guard.- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:When I'm in a hurry sometimes I'll use some diagonal cutters to score them, then snap it with some pliers. Similar to working on glass or something.
Reply:I use my mig pliers and 9 out of 10 times they don't splinter. I think what you are already doing is good, just spin them down then snap in a vice?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:just grind a new point and steel wire wheel the contamination off the tungsten
Reply:I haven't used lan. tungsten but with thoriated tungsten I grab the tungsten with pliers just past where I want to break it and hit it on a piece of steel to snap it off. I will try to get a pic laterAirco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by Oscarjust grind a new point and steel wire wheel the contamination off the tungsten
Reply:Originally Posted by zekeI was wondering about that. Why waste a 1/2"?
Reply:i'm only trimming off when pretty ugly looking from dipping in the puddle. otherwise, about 80% of the time, not trimming but just grinding a new point.  still learning  maybe if i paid for those trimix i'd learn real fast to not dip in the puddlethanks all
Reply:I just sharpen them on a bench grinder like a pencil. No need to take the end off. It gets ground off.Do you bust off 1/2" of a pencil before you put it into your pencil sharpener?
Reply:Originally Posted by MondoThe best TIG man I know chucks his tungsten 'trodes in a portable drill and spins 'em on a backwards facing pedestal grinder that has no guard.- Mondo
Reply:If I dip on aluminum, it wicks up the tungsten and forms a nice blob on the end that won't fit through the guide of my tungsten grinder.I put the blob in a vise and grab the tungsten close to the vise with electric pliers,  snaps the tip right off with no splintering.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:If you have a sharp corner on your bench, lean your tungsten against it and smack the contaminated end with a quick blow using something relatively heavy. I usually use a copper block or side of 9" pliers.HammerFile Big Hammer------------------------------Here, let me Google that for you...
Reply:I have always just set the tungsten up against the sharpest steel corner I can find and give it a whack with my welpers.  I have also done the score and snap with pliers when I couldn't do the above.138# anvilHomebuilt 6 tap kegerator100# cone anvil5" post viceVarious hammers ranging from 250g to 2000gSome tongsA few screwdriversA wrench or twoOh, and a Fronius TPS 2700
Reply:Originally Posted by MondoThe best TIG man I know chucks his tungsten 'trodes in a portable drill and spins 'em on a backwards facing pedestal grinder that has no guard.- Mondo
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbisonI have recently been using the same method as prescribed by the same man. And it works so good. I use a belt sander (with a dedicated tungsten only belt) though. When I dip and end up with a lolly pop for a tungsten I use the previously mentioned angle grinder method to lop it off.
Reply:i would think that grinding the blob would transfer crud to the grinding wheel/sanding belt. i dont know that it would cause a problem --- i do it too . but for the purists or those doing critical work,its probably not a good practice.miller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:you guys are all NUTS! you don't need to cut off the end of your tungstens, just re-sharpen it. Don't that get a little expensive?
Reply:OK, final answer: grind the contaminated blob off with your general purpose grinder and then take it to your dedicated stone. No cross contamination. I bought a mini HF grinder/buffer for cheap, threw away the buffer and use if for tungsten only. One little cheap grinder, one wheel. Fits in my tool bag.__________________
Reply:what in the heck are you guys welding on that this "cross contamination" you speak of is so critical? and why do you need a dedicated grinder for tungsten?Originally Posted by TimmyTIGyou guys are all NUTS! you don't need to cut off the end of your tungstens, just re-sharpen it. Don't that get a little expensive?
Reply:This seems like a non-issue in most cases. I'm learning and just been grinding off the crud. Hasn't been an issue.
Reply:Hmmmmmmmm   I have been Tig (Only)   welding for a living for twenty two years and never had to BREAK off the tungsten?     I just sand it clean and dress it.......after youdo that BREAK OFF deal a couple hundred times you just threw away a hundred bucks or more.......  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CHmmmmmmmm   I have been Tig (Only)   welding for a living for twenty two years and never had to BREAK off the tungsten?     I just sand it clean and dress it.......after youdo that BREAK OFF deal a couple hundred times you just threw away a hundred bucks or more.......
Reply:Don't ever chop a tungsten with dykes to break it, it'll just splinter halfway up it. Set it on something solid (like a concrete floor) center it over a crack or seam and gently tap it with a ball peen and it'll snap off square.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:The best TIG man I know chucks his tungsten 'trodes in a portable drill and spins 'em on a backwards facing pedestal grinder that has no guard.    - Mondo
Reply:The bench grinder with the cover off and the wheel spinning away from you, avoids the chance of the tungsten getting jammed into the stone and breaking and shooting back into you!!!!!Syncrowave 180 SDMillermatic 250XSnap On MW 120 Econopac 50Victor O/A with some Smith Attachments 30 X 50 shop with a 400 Amps
Reply:Originally Posted by zipzitMondo,  Zapster... What's up with the backwards spin thing?  Why does the direction of spin matter?  Is it related to the way a drill chuck tightens, and you like a quick removal by grabbing the chuck when the drill is still spinning?  Or is this a Coriolis Effect issue?  Do the guys in Australia have to spin their drills the normal direction?Zip
Reply:Zap, I see your grinding marks on the chuck are all length wise. Does that help with arc stability? Sorry, I know the real story but I just had to say it. kidtigger24  They think I’m crazy, but I know better. It is not I who am crazy. It is I who am MAD!
Reply:That is the idea. The grind marks in the direction you want your arc goin. Though I have been known to do either way.HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:Zapster, thanks for the photos.  My goof up.. I misread the original comment.  It clearly said grinder facing backwards, but I took that to mean you were running the hand held drill motor backwards.  I'm like, why does that matter?Your photos make it clear. Thanks for taking the time to post 'em.
Reply:Originally Posted by fordmanThat is the idea. The grind marks in the direction you want your arc goin. Though I have been known to do either way.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanHe was talking about the grinding marks on the chuck jaws.Grinding parallel to the tungsten's length is good form.Grinding the jaws on a Jacobs chuck is bad form.
Reply:I also grind my tungstens with a cordless drill (just like Zap showed).Lets see you do this by hand every single time in a few seconds.They usually come out even smoother since I usually very slowly ease up on the pressure when I'm done grinding to minimize scratches and discoloration.3/32" 2% lanthanated, 100 grit (fairly coarse) belt sanderLast edited by MikeGyver; 02-07-2013 at 01:57 AM.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:All of us aerospace guys here just use a belt sander, non dedicated, for all of our aluminum. We use a tungsten grinder for steel, inco, and titanium.
Reply:I am going to get a tungsten grinder and call it done. Probably last me forever.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by jesseowen27All of us aerospace guys here just use a belt sander, non dedicated, for all of our aluminum. We use a tungsten grinder for steel, inco, and titanium.
Reply:We use the Piranha II, plugs into the wall, works great. Not sure how much they cost, but we have 12 welders in my area and they have never changed the diamond disc. Just clean it up on the belt sander first to get the crap off, then polish it with the tungsten grinder. Should last forever.
Reply:Originally Posted by jesseowen27We use the Piranha II, plugs into the wall, works great. Not sure how much they cost, but we have 12 welders in my area and they have never changed the diamond disc. Just clean it up on the belt sander first to get the crap off, then polish it with the tungsten grinder. Should last forever.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleSomeone just posted a link to one, IIRC they are $799?