source for diamond wheels for sharpening TIG electrodes

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Would appreciate any input on sources + what to ask forwhen buying diamond wheel for TIG electrode sharpening(welding for hobby/can't spend money on grinder).I was thinking of using a Dremel/Proxxon with the diamond wheelin a box/container (to contain the dust) and electrode ona drill poking into the box. The only wheels I found were theSparkie for about $40 on ebay. Any other sources /and oralternatives (must contain dust), can use other machineseg die grinder/stationary drill etc.
Reply:I've heard of people who use a "Drill Doctor" for this.  They have a diamond wheel (which unfortunately would be difficult to use in anything else).
Reply:I use the dremel diamond wheel, works great & gives a nice almost polished finish, I notice arc improvement over just using a grinding stone, shouldn't be too much issue to contain it or set it up to be in front of a vacuum or something, I just grind mine open air thoughmiller 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:you can use a diamond cabbing wheel ( made for rock polishingfound on ebay ) on a bench grinder for around 40 bucks that's what i plan on doing when they get the grit i want back in do a search youll find some threads about it350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:I have been wanting a diamond tungsten grinder for some time as well.  Like the OP, I have a hard time justifying the price of the pro units for my hobby stuff.I inherited an OLD 6" bench grinder that my brother had managed to get the power cord into the wheel (I bet that lit up his life) and replaced the cord with the male end of the extension cord he cut in two last summer (see the pattern developing here?).  I tossed the stones he had rounded over and installed new cheap wheels and trued them as usual.  It worked great but I still wanted a diamond wheel.  After seeing another post here on a tungsten sharpener I remembered a post on a model maker forum about using cheap diamond tile cutters as dressing stones.  I searched and found a diamond saw sharpening wheel at Harbor Freight for around $10 for the replacement set which I picked up last weekend.http://www.harborfreight.com/replace...ner-98862.htmlI temporarily mounted the diamond wheel on the grinder like this.It works well!  Now the plan is to turn an arbor adapter and replace the stone on the grinder making a dedicated machine with some sort of fixture to hold the tungsten while grinding.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:Interesting.  So why shouldn't I just leave a small diamond wheel permanently on the arbor, next to my grindstone?It looks like it sits there nicely, just like the washer/stabilizer, and it's out of the way from the grinding surface.
Reply:What about these?http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:ITWonder if they would work?TA PAK 5XRTA 185Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:OK, thanks for all the ideas/info ! - did more digging/searchingand found some cheaper dremel/proxxon discs on ebay Germany and UK - will try this outfirst and put up a photo if I come up with anything interesting to other beginners.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanInteresting.  So why shouldn't I just leave a small diamond wheel permanently on the arbor, next to my grindstone?It looks like it sits there nicely, just like the washer/stabilizer, and it's out of the way from the grinding surface.
Reply:Originally Posted by 2rodsWhat about these?http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:ITWonder if they would work?
Reply:I bought one of these:http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_.../sharpener.htmRegards.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:I bought one of these:http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_.../sharpener.htmRegards.
Reply:I really like it, it is very convenient, it will sharpen various sizes of tungstens, I think I still have my Invoice (I will check tonight).Regards.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Why would anyone need a diamond wheel for grinding tungston?Regular old wheels are just fine and the one I use has been in service for 4 years now.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Well, for one thing, tungsten wears awful grooves into a grinding wheel.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanWell, for one thing, tungsten wears awful grooves into a grinding wheel.
Reply:Yes, but I like dressing my wheels as infrequently as possible.  I've got the spur wheel dressers which are oh so much not fun (between the noise, the sparks, and the bouncing that sometimes cracks wheels), and the pointy diamond type (which isn't much better, and is harder to get a nice flat surface with).  It's just one job I like to avoid.The thought of a small cheap diamond wheel on the side of my grindstone is really intriguing me.  I get to touch up the tungsten, and not have to dedicate a machine (or more importantly, bench space) to the job.
Reply:I don't dress my wheel...Not anymore anyway..I used to but not now..I have 3 grooves in it now that suit me just fine.Betcha I can poke a hole in you with a sharp tungsten and you would not even feel it.Carefully of course..Not just a jab..My teacher used to do that to me with a fresh ground in the shoulder..Sharp as a needle....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI don't dress my wheel...Not anymore anyway..I used to but not now..I have 3 grooves in it now that suit me just fine.Betcha I can poke a hole in you with a sharp tungsten and you would not even feel it.Carefully of course..Not just a jab..My teacher used to do that to me with a fresh ground in the shoulder..Sharp as a needle....zap!
Reply:Wheels are cheap in most cases and not worth the time to dress. If they get ugly they go on the "outdoor grinder" to be expended the rest of the way.
Reply:These come in many grits http://cgi.ebay.com/80-6-X-1-Lapidar...item5642a3dce0Vinnie
Reply:I use a drill Dr to which I drilled a hole on one side. The speed is 15000 rpm's and just rotate the electrode with my cordless drill, I do several at a time to save time.
Reply:I have been using a white aluminum oxide grinding wheel.  It seems to work fine.  When sharpening I roll the tungsten from one side of the wheel to the other to prevent grooves from forming.
Reply:My buddy gave me one of these(minus flex shaft) for free because it wasn't functioning. I fixed the brushes and now I use it exclusively for sharpening tungsten. After grinding, I use the polishing wheel(it's like a scotch brite pad) to further polish the point to a mirror finish. The speed dial says it spins up to 10,000RPM and it sharpens a fresh 1/8" tungsten in less than a minute.http://www.harborfreight.com/bench-g...aft-43533.htmlBrad GeorgeCurrent Equipment:AIRCO Heliwelder IV 300Amp Model - Total Awesomeness!Old 120v Hobart Handler MIGVarious grinders, cutting tools, hammers, clamps, ect..."I'm an amateur welder with lots left to learn..."
Reply:Originally Posted by Rog02I have been wanting a diamond tungsten grinder for some time as well.  Like the OP, I have a hard time justifying the price of the pro units for my hobby stuff.I inherited an OLD 6" bench grinder that my brother had managed to get the power cord into the wheel (I bet that lit up his life) and replaced the cord with the male end of the extension cord he cut in two last summer (see the pattern developing here?).  I tossed the stones he had rounded over and installed new cheap wheels and trued them as usual.  It worked great but I still wanted a diamond wheel.  After seeing another post here on a tungsten sharpener I remembered a post on a model maker forum about using cheap diamond tile cutters as dressing stones.  I searched and found a diamond saw sharpening wheel at Harbor Freight for around $10 for the replacement set which I picked up last weekend.http://www.harborfreight.com/replace...ner-98862.htmlI temporarily mounted the diamond wheel on the grinder like this.It works well!  Now the plan is to turn an arbor adapter and replace the stone on the grinder making a dedicated machine with some sort of fixture to hold the tungsten while grinding.SundownIII is the expert on this.Look for Rocklady on ebay (I think that's her handle). She sells aluminum cabbing wheels there. You can put two of them back-to-back on one end of your bench grinder, and use a coarser stone on the other end. Then you use the coarse wheel for initial shaping and then the finer diamond wheels for final grind. It works well.ETA: If you buy the aluminum disks and the stick-on diamond abrasive disks from her, have her mount the stuff on the disks, then you won't have to worry about screwing it up.
Reply:see this thread http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ngsten+grinderand my cheapo HF diamond wheel grinder .   the diamond disk is $10, the 3 1/2 grinder can be had for about $30 on sale or with coupon.  I am with Zap, the pre grooved tungsten wheels work fine, no need to dress themTiger 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:Just remember not to exceed the wheels rated RPM'sThe HF wheels are rated for 6600 RPM maximum speed and that looks like a 10k grinder.Just food for thought Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI don't dress my wheel...Not anymore anyway..I used to but not now..I have 3 grooves in it now that suit me just fine.Betcha I can poke a hole in you with a sharp tungsten and you would not even feel it.Carefully of course..Not just a jab..My teacher used to do that to me with a fresh ground in the shoulder..Sharp as a needle....zap!
Reply:wow, diamond wheels for a tungsten never thought of that