Best replacement for thoriated tungsten?

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At work I'm being switched over from MIG to TIG, and we weld 16ga and 18ga stainless with 3/32" thoriated tungsten.I'm not a big fan of the radioactive aspect to the thorium in them, and would like to switch.What is the best tungsten that's closest to thoriated?  1.5% lanthanated?  2% lanthanated?  ceriated?Note: I'll be using it on DC with a transformer power source (not inverter)ps - I posted another thread asking for best tungsten for 16/18ga - I'm starting this new thread to ask specifically what's the best tungsten to replace thoriated with.  Just so there's no confusion as to thread topic Last edited by z0diac; 01-15-2013 at 01:02 PM."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:My feeling is 2% lanthanated, not 1.5%. 1.5 splinters quite a bit with inverters on AC, for me anyway.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonMy feeling is 2% lanthanated, not 1.5%. 1.5 splinters quite a bit with inverters on AC, for me anyway.
Reply:I recently got some 1/16" 1.5 Lanthanated, only used it a little on some 16ga cold rolled practice coupons. Seems just fine to me. As in my sig, transformer scratch start set up.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:I've used both 1.5%La and 2%La, and on DC I have to managed to tell a difference what so ever.  I think you'll be fine with either one.
Reply:They made us use ceriated on the last job I was on and every welder there thought it was garbage. Your tip gets dirty way faster than thoriated, if you touch the work once you're pretty much done.
Reply:I like 2% lanthanated for everything. I get them cheap off ebay.For 16/18 ga. I'd be using 1/16" diameter tungstens but maybe that's just me.
Reply:I use strictly 2% thorium. You stand a better chance of getting sick from the welding fumes then you do from grinding thoriated tungsten.It just works too well for me to stop using it.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:E3 purple band i am happy with it on the inverter and Transformer works excellent on AC and DC on ac it does not split or spit has a very stable arc on DC as wellMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:2% lanthinated  my  $ .02Miller bobcat 225g  - spoolmatic 1Mm250 - 30a spoolMiller spectrum 375Thermal arc 95 Everlast Ex 250As the boiler turns, these are the days of our lives
Reply:Thanks everyone for the great replies!Ok, so the tossup seems to be between 1.5% and 2% lanthanated.I bought some 1.5% lanthanated at the local welding supply shop before going in to work today, gave one to a guy who's been welding TIG there for 4 yrs using 3/32 thoriated, and he couldn't tell the difference.  Nobody at the shop seemed to even know that thorium was radioactive.  Sure it's not a heck of a lot of radioactivity... but cigarette smokers don't do much damage to their lungs on a daily basis either, yet we're all aware of the long-term effects.  If there's not much difference between Th and La, then why not.So for welding 16ga/18ga stainless with 3/32 tungstens... not much difference between 1.5% and 2% lanthanated?  Go with whatever's cheapest?NEW QUESTION: Has anyone used the brand "Diamond Ground" tungstens?  The one site I'm checking out has a HUGE price difference between that brand and others.  10x 1.5% 3/32 lanthanated tungstens for 30 bucks.  Other brands are as high as $80.  Get the cheap stuff?  Even the stuff I bought locally today was Made in China, so I'm sure all of it is anyway."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Originally Posted by z0diacThanks everyone for the great replies!Ok, so the tossup seems to be between 1.5% and 2% lanthanated.I bought some 1.5% lanthanated at the local welding supply shop before going in to work today, gave one to a guy who's been welding TIG there for 4 yrs using 3/32 thoriated, and he couldn't tell the difference.  Nobody at the shop seemed to even know that thorium was radioactive.  Sure it's not a heck of a lot of radioactivity... but cigarette smokers don't do much damage to their lungs on a daily basis either, yet we're all aware of the long-term effects.  If there's not much difference between Th and La, then why not.So for welding 16ga/18ga stainless with 3/32 tungstens... not much difference between 1.5% and 2% lanthanated?  Go with whatever's cheapest?NEW QUESTION: Has anyone used the brand "Diamond Ground" tungstens?  The one site I'm checking out has a HUGE price difference between that brand and others.  10x 1.5% 3/32 lanthanated tungstens for 30 bucks.  Other brands are as high as $80.  Get the cheap stuff?  Even the stuff I bought locally today was Made in China, so I'm sure all of it is anyway.
Reply:Originally Posted by Oscaryou're splitting hairs now, lol.   There is probably less than a 10% difference in pricing between 1.5 and 2%La tungstens (depending on where you do your shopping of course).  If that is gonna break the bank, time to switch hobbies/careers
Reply:Ok I just ordered 10x 2% lanthanated 3/32s from weldingcity off their eBay store.  $19.89!  I just paid $40 at my local shop for *3* !Now just to wait for the delivery and see how they run."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Originally Posted by z0diacOk I just ordered 10x 2% lanthanated 3/32s from weldingcity off their eBay store.  $19.89!  I just paid $40 at my local shop for *3* !Now just to wait for the delivery and see how they run.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255That's where I got mine and they're great.  Definitely better on AC than Thoriated.  The Thoriated makes little finger projections on my inverter on AC.  I think theyre the same on DCEN.   Sharpen them to a point, and they will get a tiny ball at the end when you weld.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255That's where I got mine and they're great.  Definitely better on AC than Thoriated.  The Thoriated makes little finger projections on my inverter on AC.  I think theyre the same on DCEN.   Sharpen them to a point, and they will get a tiny ball at the end when you weld.