What to use for Tungsten grinding??

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I have been looking on the net and the only one that is half way affordable is the sharpie. I cannot decide if I should buy that or just buy another bench grinder and dedicate it to tungsten grinding. If I did the bench grinder then I would have to make something to hold the tungsten to get perfect results. The other option is Lowe's has a sharpening wheel for $30 or so that I could get. Again I would have to make a jig for perfect results. Any ideas or suggestions? I just don't know if the sharpie is worth spending $250? Anyone use it? Is it better than bench grinding? What do you use and do you have any pics of your setups? I need to get something today or get it on order because my Dynasty 200dx will be here early next week! Also keep in mind this is for use in my home shop and not a full time tig operation. Thanks
Reply:I've been a hobby tig for about 2 years and I've just been using an extra Dremel tool with a dedicated grinding wheel.  In my CC class we just used a dedicated bench grinder.  No special guides on either one.  After the first few weeks I got to a point where I wasn't regrinding every 5 minutes ;^)I don't find it that difficult to put a good point on the tungsten by hand so it hasn't been a big deal.  Some of the guys in class used that sharpening dip and seemed to like it.  I've never used it or seen the results.I'm planning on picking up a small cheap bench grinder one of these days and maybe add a simple guide (holes in a brass block or something) just for kicks.  Figured the guide would keep me or my kids from using the grinder for anything but tungsten.TinkerCentury 135GS, ThermalArc 250GTS
Reply:If you don't feel capable of hand-grinding tungstens with either a stationary (bench) grinder or a hand held rotary tool, try the chemical sharpeners.  They get good reviews from a lot of the guys.Not a problem for me - don't have to sharpen .035 ER70S-6!!
Reply:We used the same grinder for steel to grind the tungsten in my welding class.  My instructor said it really doesn't matter, because that is what they have for grinders.   Even thought everyone I have talked to has said different.  I think its a budget problem.  Since they only get $3600 a year to operate 3 class of students at 20 students each.  (two day time, one night adult course)I have a different fine grind wheel for my bench grinder I keep around for when I borrow my buddy's machine until if get my own TIG welder.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:We do a whole lot of tig welding- I have 2 tig welders, and they run probably 20 hours a week each. So we go thru a lot of tungstens. I have tried a bunch of different techniques, and the best one I have found is simple and pretty cheap- a belt sander. We use a belt/disc sander, mine is the big Jet model that has a 6"x48" belt and a 12" disc. The trick is good sandpaper, and a cordless drill. You chuck the tungsten in the drill, and run the drill while holding it up against the belt sander. perfect tips, quick, every time. Helps to have a keyless chuck on the drill, for speed. You can use the disc sander as well- its actually quicker, but it gives you a radial grind, rather than a linear grind. And some purists claim they can tell the difference when welding. For quick and dirty welding, I dont care, and use the disc. Same sandpaper. 50 grit. The sandpaper is the key to the whole thing- I use Klingspor CS411, which is an alumnina Zirconia sandpaper, in a 50 grit. Change the belts about 3 times a year, as this stuff is made from the leftovers of cubic zirconium jewelry from the home shopping network, and it is HARD!! http://www.klingspor.com/If you are a business, you can get an account and get the stuff at a discount, but even at retail it is really worth it. I am sure norton and 3m also make a similar sandpaper. Usually blue.
Reply:I just grind it by hand with the grinding wheel, cant see spending $200-$500 to grind tungsten.
Reply:grinding is grinding, just make sure whatever stone or wheel you use is dedicated souly to your tungsten, contamination is a threat otherwise
Reply:I weld Stainless Steel almost everyday.  We weld process type tubing for the food and drug industry.  Welds must be USDA and FDA approved.  We sharpen the tungsten with the chop saw wheel or a angle grinder flap wheel.  You need not be so anal, the first time you stick the tungsten in the puddle it's contaminated.  If your aluminum welding, then there's "inclusion" which is tungsten spitting into the puddle with out dipping it in there.  If it were mission critical, and you had been welding on the bench for 10 years and in a very controlled enviorment, then maybe it would that critical to sharpen the tungsten in a certain way. There's many more areas that can be improved before you look at the tungsten.Chris R.