best all purpose electrode for TIG

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I have a TA 186 and the red electrodes (thoriated), these are only good for steel according to the literature, would you advise an electrode for all metals or stay with the red and get a dedicated color for aluminum, I'm using the 3/32 size...thanks
Reply:Thoriated/Lanthanated/Trimix should all work for you, the thoriated may not keep a nice tip on ac.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:I use Ceriated for everything. 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:Cep do you have trouble with the tip eroding on the ceriated? I have only used it a few times but couldn't keep a sharp point on mine on straight polarity.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:I also use Ceriated for steel and aluminum.  The color code was orange but recently changed to grey.
Reply:All above is great advise. When it comes to inverter machines such as yours i find lanthanated holds up the best,  as far as holding up goes on both a/c and d/c. Transformer machines i say thoriated for d/c and for a/c ceriated will outlast the thoriated. I just so happen to have a torch next to me with some lanth in it that has been used all week on a/c with a inverter.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:thanks so much, I'm gonna order some lanthanated, I have some motorcycle engine cases that need fixing, I've got some scrap ones to learn on first, when i was a kid back in the sixties my bike mechanic was chief engineer of welding at Pratt and Whitney, back then we called it heli arc
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugCep do you have trouble with the tip eroding on the ceriated? I have only used it a few times but couldn't keep a sharp point on mine on straight polarity.
Reply:Red or blue. Tested them both side by side on a steel project. 220amps and both stayed very sharp.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