TIG electrode diameters...

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I obtained the parts to switch from 3/32" to 1/16" electrodes with my 17 torch to  see what the difference may be.The question is this;During the initial learning curve, is it easier to use larger or smaller diameters?I have not seen a lot of difference in operation so far, but it seems the smaller electrode is easier to direct, but I may be wrong in that observation.The first problem I had with TIG that was trying to form the pool exactly where I wanted it.I am practicing on mild steel, but I am on the TIG road for aluminum welding eventually.Millermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ with MVP™Miller Diversion™ 180 AC/DC TIGEvery air tool made...if it can be driven by air, I want it.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Neon Sign Fabricatorwww.casinoneon.com
Reply:Just as long as you start with a REAL sharp point all should be good..FWIW I use 3/32" for everything I do..Big...small and in between.I have a box of 1/16" Red end that is 6 years old and never used them....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:http://tractors.ucdavis.edu/tombelltigtips1.pdfSome other info about tungsten size and shape that might help you.
Reply:Another good link:http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ints_tips.html
Reply:If you are sitting and Tig welding pretty steady.... what would be the typical time between having to stop and sharpen your tungsten ( if you only had one ) ? Are we talking minutes, hours , days , weeks ?  just a ball park figure...Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Depends on what you're welding. Assuming it's never touched it or contaminated, using 3/32 and staying under 120 amps on DC I can keep a sharp tip for a few hours on lanth,tri mix, and cryo-t. Using the same thing on AC and a small land on the end, it can last anywhere from 30 mins to an hour depending on frequency, amps, and % cleaning. The lanth doesn't like higher freqs and will need sharpened more often when using anything over 120 Hz. It all depends on what you're doing and using it forLast edited by BCTimberwolf; 06-24-2011 at 10:39 PM.
Reply:Thank you. That is interesting....Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:As far as time out of the tip, I am doing something wrong - I notice the weld quality goes way down and then see the tip has gone to pot. Usually a balled end and some shiny surfaces on the sides, and then it does a lot of 'staticy' sound on re-start.I spent this afternoon working around with scrap (ok, not scrap at the beginning but scrap now...) and used 3/32" - I am switching back to 1/16" ceriated since I am definitely having better performance while I get better at it.Switched back to the MIG to finish a project - I am getting just what I want from that using.023 mild steel wire.I just want to think that I can TIG my way through a project eventually.Thanks to all of you who can be patient and offer your advices to new welders. It makes a huge difference to get feedback from those who have been there.Millermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ with MVP™Miller Diversion™ 180 AC/DC TIGEvery air tool made...if it can be driven by air, I want it.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Neon Sign Fabricatorwww.casinoneon.com
Reply:Originally Posted by GBMIf you are sitting and Tig welding pretty steady.... what would be the typical time between having to stop and sharpen your tungsten ( if you only had one ) ? Are we talking minutes, hours , days , weeks ?  just a ball park figure...
Reply:I'm a new tigger, but I always like to use the smallest tungsten I can get away with, for the amperage I'm welding at. It seems like the arc wanders less when you're pushing a lot of heat through a small electrode, than when you have a big electrode turned way down...
Reply:Originally Posted by BCTimberwolfDepends on what you're welding. Assuming it's never touched it or contaminated, using 3/32 and staying under 120 amps on DC I can keep a sharp tip for a few hours on lanth,tri mix, and cryo-t.
Reply:Some tungstens from diamond grinding products. Not sure what's in tri mix but cryo-t is 2% thoriated that has been cryogenically treated.
Reply:1/16" are a pain to sharpen with your gloves on...IMHO. enough of a reason for me to use 3/32 exclusively
Reply:In a typical work week TIG welding I would guess I spend around an hour plus, sharpening my tungstens. I keep about fifteen or twenty cut in half and sharpened on both ends for convenience. I know this leads to a more waste cutting them in half, but I like using a medium sized cap if I can.If I'm doing light stainless, I guess a good sharp tungten can last for maybe ten arc starts and perhaps twenty inches of weld, if I don't dip it. It all depends how critical it is to avoid false starts or arc strikes out of the weld area. Once your tungsen gets contaminated, or etched, it won't do its best work. I'm not saying you can't weld with an etched tungsten, or one that's been contaminated or blunted, but you won't get your best work out of it, that's for sure.I've heard that in some very strict welding protocols, you are required to replace the tungsten after each arc start......For the work I'm doing 16 gauge through 1/8" I weld between 60 and 150 amps. The 1/16 tungstens are great and are my preference up to about 110 amps, but after that they don't seem to hold the current or hold up as well as 3/32" tungstens do. the 1/16" have a better and more consistent arc start generally speaking at those lower amperages, and are much faster to sharpen.Lot's of guys use 3/32" for everything up to 200 amps... but sharpen them with a very sharp thin tip for lighter stuff, and a blunter tip for higher amps.I always grind mine so the scratches follow the point and don't go around it. I really makes sense to take pains with your tungsten preparation take the extra time to do it right, and you'll get better results.
Reply:Originally Posted by insternoLot's of guys use 3/32" for everything up to 200 amps... but sharpen them with a very sharp thin tip for lighter stuff, and a blunter tip for higher amps..