Tungsten prep with belt sanding station

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When I was acquiring tools to start tig welding, I picked up a 6" grinder to prep the tungsten. However I have a 36 inch belt sanding station that was actually a lot easier to use than the dang grinder, the belt sander creates a very nice straight point without even trying but the grinder is not as easy. I don't use the 36 inch sander for metal just wood stuff. Is it okay to keep using the belt sander, I have tested both grinder and belt and found no difference when welding. Any thoughts?
Reply:Shovelon uses a belt sander to sharpen his tungstens..  Uh oh,  I let the cat out of the bag..   any wood on the tungsten would instantly vaporize so i doubt it will cause any problemsTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Thanks for the feedback, the belt sander is super easy to use than a small grinder. But all the info I read was to use a dedicated grinder, the reason I got one. Since the belt is wide enough I do use half of one side to get rid of any metal that get stuck on the tungsten and on the other half I use for sharpening.
Reply:I use a belt sander even though I have a Fancy sharpening grinder......Use a cordless drill and run the sand marks long ways....Works for me   Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:I use both in my shop. Which one that is, is the one that is the least walking distance from where I'm welding at the moment.
Reply:That's what I've been telling everyone, but noooobody listens lolBelt sander and a drill, my tungstens are perfectly ground every time and it only takes seconds.If you're not using a cordless drill yet try it and prepare to have your mind blown. Keep the speed fairly low and vary the pressure to finish it off smooth.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Yes, belt sanders are my huckleberry. I hates the grinder way.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:I am such a noob as I keep dippin. I take about a dozen tungsten with me to the sander and I will try the drill method. Doing it by hand without the drill produced a nice tip in 5 seconds. Hate grinders too, why do all Tig information I have read recommends the use of grinders instead of a belt sander?
Reply:Originally Posted by vicrcI am such a noob as I keep dippin. I take about a dozen tungsten with me to the sander and I will try the drill method. Doing it by hand without the drill produced a nice tip in 5 seconds. Hate grinders too, why do all Tig information I have read recommends the use of grinders instead of a belt sander?
Reply:Sharpie Arc-Zone works great for me and not to hard on the pocket book> got it the same day as my Tig Welder had it for 6 years or so still works great still using the factory diamond disc that it came with.http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=125Donnelly Small Engine & WeldingFoley AlabamaLincoln 225 TigLinoln 215 migHypertherm Powermax 65Ellis 1600 sawEllis 6000 belt grinderJD2 Model 4 tubing benderAtlas  12"X54" metal latheLots of large hammers
Reply:$335, my belt sander was almost free. I don't know if all the same, but saw one of them on a video and I was put off with the noise it made. I am sure it is nice for very short tungsten. Hehe my tungsten are still close to the standard length.
Reply:I've used belt sanders with good results too but I like a diamond wheel better plus it's quieter and much faster spin up from switch to grind.technically sanders are frowned upon for code work or critical applications because the sanding media "can" contaminate the tungsten and therefor the weld, but for regular non critical stuff I've never been able to really detect much difference... although sometimes I think I've seen the tungsten will start up with a slight sparkle on first arc when sharpened on the sander, but it burns off quicklymiller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Anybody ever do this? Makes a world of difference! Please don't flame me, I have been doing this for years, and never cracked one yet.   Attached ImagesI hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:^^^ that's my method! I've been doing it for years as well never failed me once. As far as the media from the sanding applications I've tested both grinding wheel, bench grinding wheel, and flapper disk and I don't see any difference. I might be able to see choosing specific bench grinder for Ti though...but haven't done much Ti....Miller Dynasty 200Millermatic 211Instagram?.... find me @ WELD_MEDIC
Reply:Originally Posted by tig_21^^^ that's my method! I've been doing it for years as well never failed me once. As far as the media from the sanding applications I've tested both grinding wheel, bench grinding wheel, and flapper disk and I don't see any difference. I might be able to see choosing specific bench grinder for Ti though...but haven't done much Ti....
Reply:mike I do that too a lot of times, sometimes can just clamp the screw on handle in the vice if it has a handle... works nice with the dremel too for tiny stuffmiller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:My belt sander cost $1250.00 and i use it for sanding and grinding steel. So that would require a clean belt change everytime I sharpen. Noise!!! my Ellis belt grinder is 1hp and not at all quiet the Sharpie is not loud compared to my other shop tools. But whatever floats your boat.The Sharpie is there for one reason I know its clean and plugged into the back of my Tig Machine I keep a stack of sharp Tungsten on the table when I  dip it comes out and gets laid on the table at the end of the day I sharpen all of them.Last edited by worm122; 11-29-2012 at 09:33 PM.Donnelly Small Engine & WeldingFoley AlabamaLincoln 225 TigLinoln 215 migHypertherm Powermax 65Ellis 1600 sawEllis 6000 belt grinderJD2 Model 4 tubing benderAtlas  12"X54" metal latheLots of large hammers
Reply:I also use the belt grinder. Works great.Hobart Handler 210 with SpoolgunHypertherm PM30 PlasmaHTP 221 Tig WelderHF BandsawHF Auto Dark Helmet