Tungsten Sharpener???

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HTP has a Tungsten Sharpener with a fixed angle of 22 degrees for around $235. What are your thoughts on these ???
Reply:Save your money! I like Zap's idea. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:That's a low price. I have no experience with that company...but their website says they have a 90 day money back guarantee, for what it's worthwww.triarc.us
Reply:And the big surprise is the price of their tungstens. Cheaper than the fly-by-nighters on Ebay.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 shovelonAnd the big surprise is the price of their tungstens. Cheaper than the fly-by-nighters on Ebay.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPSave your money! I like Zap's idea.
Reply:Originally Posted by Montana JackRed flag, maybe?
Reply:I just bought that very unit, and it's great. I ordered it online, and it arrived in about 4 days. And that was over the Christmas holidays. Great customer service from HTP!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonAnd the big surprise is the price of their tungstens. Cheaper than the fly-by-nighters on Ebay.
Reply:I bought my tungsten, collets & collet body's from WeldingPartner on E-Bay.  It was all free shipping, when I calculated the lower price & paying for shipping, this was a better deal.  I threw in 10 lbs of ER-70 3/32" & 1/16".  Total of 20 #'s.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I've been using Chem-sharp to sharpen all my tungsten. I hold the tungsten with pliers and heat it with map gas. Once it's orange hot, I dip it in the Chem-sharp till I get the desired tip. I was surprised how well it actually worked. I was looking at sharpeners myself, until I tried CS.  You should try it before dropping the coin on a sharpener.I recommend not using the TIG tourch to heat the tungsten as sharpening it this way does produce some byproduct from the chemical reaction that would accumulate on your tourch. I sharpen 10 or so at a time, let them cool, then use some 340 or so grit wet dry sandpaper to clean them up and they are ready. Note: I am brand new to welding, and have only completed one semester of welding school. One of my instructors said he did not care for the Chem-sharp, but I really like it so far.Last edited by Gar; 01-04-2013 at 10:09 PM.Lincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:A person can get a 1" diamond grinding disc's for a few bucks (around $10-25), get a HF straight grinder (Dremel knockoff) for $25, viola, a tungsten grinder.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I've ground them on my belt sander for forty years and it always works just fine.  Just hold them and spin them against the belt.   Before I got on this forum I never even imagined any one would want a special grinder for tungsten.  Mac
Reply:Originally Posted by Tool MakerI've ground them on my belt sander for forty years and it always works just fine.  Just hold them and spin them against the belt.   Before I got on this forum I never even imagined any one would want a special grinder for tungsten.  Mac
Reply:Originally Posted by GarI've been using Chem-sharp to sharpen all my tungsten. I hold the tungsten with pliers and heat it with map gas. Once it's orange hot, I dip it in the Chem-sharp till I get the desired tip. I was surprised how well it actually worked. I was looking at sharpeners myself, until I tried CS.  You should try it before dropping the coin on a sharpener.I recommend not using the TIG tourch to heat the tungsten as sharpening it this way does produce some byproduct from the chemical reaction that would accumulate on your tourch. I sharpen 10 or so at a time, let them cool, then use some 340 or so grit wet dry sandpaper to clean them up and they are ready. Note: I am brand new to welding, and have only completed one semester of welding school. One of my instructors said he did not care for the Chem-sharp, but I really like it so far.
Reply:Originally Posted by WookieWeldingi can have 5 or more sharpened on my diamond wheel by the time you do one looks like a waste of time and time is money
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarI agree, only I still use a standard fine grit wheel on a bench grinder.  I'll probably integrate a small bench grinder into a welding cart eventually.  Like you said, time is money.  Even for those who don't weld for a living, I'm sure no one likes to waste time.
Reply:Originally Posted by GarWe all like to waste time, be honest, look how much time we just wasted posting in this thread.
Reply:Originally Posted by rahtreelimbsHTP has a Tungsten Sharpener with a fixed angle of 22 degrees for around $235. What are your thoughts on these ???
Reply:Originally Posted by Montana JackRed flag, maybe?
Reply:A lot of people use this grinder. I got one for Christmas, and it works fine.http://www.harborfreight.com/bench-g...aft-43533.html
Reply:dont really need the drill.. i use a draftsmans lead holder, it changes out quicker than a drill chuck, i usually grind a few dozen at a time..one roll between thumb and nosepicker  and nexxxtt... Attached Images
Reply:If you work in your shop and not field welding then get a bench grinder. If you weld for a living and tig away from a shop you can use a grinder with a tiger paw or get that HTP sharpener.
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarYou got it all wrong, I allot myself 3 hrs of forum posting a day before I become unproductive, therefore anything more than THAT is a total waste!  lol
Reply:Never really gave it much thought because I didn't have any tungsten issues before this Inverter machine..... Should you grind Length wise from the point back.... Or to the Point from farther up? If you look at the Diamond wheel grinders they actually Don't grind long wise.... Kinda on the sideSo the grind marks are arced.....  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig RockOriginally Posted by B_CNever really gave it much thought because I didn't have any tungsten issues before this Inverter machine..... Should you grind Length wise from the point back.... Or to the Point from farther up? If you look at the Diamond wheel grinders they actually Don't grind long wise.... Kinda on the sideSo the grind marks are arced.....
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYou're thinkin' too hard.
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Reply:I forgot to mention, I have the little 3" HF bench grinder I use to sharpen my tungsten.  I kept the tungsten in 3 different places on the wheel &  have 3 grooves.  Makes it easier to sharpen a tungsten with the grooves.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Originally Posted by rahtreelimbsHTP has a Tungsten Sharpener with a fixed angle of 22 degrees for around $235. What are your thoughts on these ???
Reply:Originally Posted by MarkBall2I forgot to mention, I have the little 3" HF bench grinder I use to sharpen my tungsten.  I kept the tungsten in 3 different places on the wheel &  have 3 grooves.  Makes it easier to sharpen a tungsten with the grooves.
Reply:Does the HF grinder have a fine grit stone? I like a fine grind on my tungstens.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:good question, I'd like to know too.
Reply:It's much finer than the replacement wheel HF had on the shelf.  Both of them are way finer than my 80 grit on the 6" bench grinder.  I don't know the exact grit of the wheels though.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugDoes the HF grinder have a fine grit stone? I like a fine grind on my tungstens.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonVery coarse, and it is wearing fast.
Reply:For the guys using belt sanders to sharpen tungstens, are you worrying about not sanding any other materials so as to avoid cross contamination?  I know you are supposed to avoid it, but I don't know anyone (yet) with dedicated belt sanders for tungsten grinding.  I only have one bench grinder right now and as much as I try to keep it tungsten only, sometimes it has to get used for other tasks.  Just wondering what your thoughts on it were.
Reply:Originally Posted by MarkBall2I forgot to mention, I have the little 3" HF bench grinder I use to sharpen my tungsten.  I kept the tungsten in 3 different places on the wheel &  have 3 grooves.  Makes it easier to sharpen a tungsten with the grooves.
Reply:There is also the chance that a grinding wheel with several grooves my get deep. If/when that happens the edge may get thin also and could be catastrophic should the thin part of the wheel break at speed!
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugGuess I will stick with a bigger bench grinder then. I want something portable but I guess I will just continue to keep alot of sharp tungstens with me.
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinLet me get this straight. You're going to get a different/larger grinder simply because the grinder in question comes with a wheel that's too coarse? Dude. The wheels that come with most grinders are usually garbage anyway!I would get a cheap HFT grinder and put a pair of aluminum/diamond grit cabbing wheels (available on ebay from rocklady cheap) on one of the arbors (then you'll have 3 grits on one grinder) and be done with it for less than $80.Also, even of you use regular wheels, you're not going to have to worry about grooves in the wheel if you're careful not to grind always in one spot on the wheel. If you get grooves, then simply dress the wheel!
Reply:Originally Posted by MarkBall2I forgot to mention, I have the little 3" HF bench grinder I use to sharpen my tungsten.  I kept the tungsten in 3 different places on the wheel &  have 3 grooves.  Makes it easier to sharpen a tungsten with the grooves.
Reply:Originally Posted by el bobFor the guys using belt sanders to sharpen tungstens, are you worrying about not sanding any other materials so as to avoid cross contamination?  I know you are supposed to avoid it, but I don't know anyone (yet) with dedicated belt sanders for tungsten grinding.  I only have one bench grinder right now and as much as I try to keep it tungsten only, sometimes it has to get used for other tasks.  Just wondering what your thoughts on it were.
Reply:Hey Terry you forgot to tell the guys what you do when you catch one of your guys/girls grinding a tungsten pointing UP against the direction of the belt...  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:I've got the Tech South handheld.  It's great.  I didn't want to put another grinder up, it's quick, consistent and portable.  I've had some dealings with HTP and they've always been top rate.  I wouldn't worry about those that are bagging on the dedicated tungsten grinders.  Never understood why some get emotional over what other people buy...Enough stuff to build and repair wrinkled up race cars or bring a classic back to life...
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CHey Terry you forgot to tell the guys what you do when you catch one of your guys/girls grinding a tungsten pointing UP against the direction of the belt...
Reply:Still no parts, maybe I should fly down and work for you a few days?  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CStill no parts, maybe I should fly down and work for you a few days?
Reply:I have always used the drill/ bench grinder method (dedicated bench grinder) BUT thanks to a overzealous state safety officer, who gigged me for no tool rest, no silly plastic shield, and a groove in the stone. The shop is gonna have to buy me a nice little hand held unit.Whats the most expensive one they make?   If you cant fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem."Boy, everyone starts with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before the bag of luck is empty."-Grandad circa 1990ish
Reply:Doing free favors once in a while for good friends pays off, my machinest buddy gave me this diamond wheel for nada today. I just gave it a test run on a used tung and with almost no pressure and one full slow twist a real nice sharp tung. The wheel was only used once, it pays to be nice sometimes!  Attached ImagesI hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys