Contaminated tungsten

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Should I just cut this tungsten off right below where i Bump it good with the filler or just grind it? I was welding in a difficult overhead position
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Reply:Just grind it. This happens to everyone once in a while. I always grind the tungsten so its smooth on the side (get rid of that bump) and then grind the taper back on it. The contamination is just on the surface, no need to worry about internal contamination.Lincoln Idealarc Tig 300/300, Lincoln ranger 8, Lincoln LN-25, Miller Sidekick (keeps rockin!), Oxy/Acy torch, Miller XMT-304 with a Miller 60 series wire feeder and high freq. box, Profax positioner 8" chuck, Aaronson 3500# positioner 15" chuck
Reply:slice it off with a thin wheel cut off tool.  I use a 0.030" wheel and zip right through it.  Faster to do this and grind a point back on, than have to worry about properly shaving off the contamination off the surface. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:Just clean off the alum. There is nothing wrong with the underlying tungsten.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:If you grind off the aluminum,  it will embed in the wheel and transfer back when you grind the point.   You will be contaminating the new point.   That's why the recommended practice is to cut it off some (small) distance beyond the contamination and then grind a new point.Personally, I don't like the arc characteristics of a contaminated tungsten so I swap it for a fresh ground one whenever I mess it up.I've been grinding a notch with the edge of the wheel and then snapping it.   A thin cutoff wheel will do the job too.Dan----------------------------Measure twice.  Weld once.  Grind to size.MIG:  Lincoln SP100 TIG/STICK:  AHP Alphatig 200X
Reply:Originally Posted by dbstooIf you grind off the aluminum,  it will embed in the wheel and transfer back when you grind the point.   You will be contaminating the new point.   That's why the recommended practice is to cut it off some (small) distance beyond the contamination and then grind a new point.Personally, I don't like the arc characteristics of a contaminated tungsten so I swap it for a fresh ground one whenever I mess it up.I've been grinding a notch with the edge of the wheel and then snapping it.   A thin cutoff wheel will do the job too.Dan
Reply:So if you don't ever bump the tungsten do you just keep welding with it shovelon?even after say after welding for 10 hours of welding or more?
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonNot in my case Dan. We use belt sanders which don't load up. If I catch an employee "trimming" his or her tungsten they get a heart to heart from me. I can make a 2% lanthanated tungsten last a year with the right disciplines.
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313So if you don't ever bump the tungsten do you just keep welding with it shovelon?even after say after welding for 10 hours of welding or more?
Reply:Originally Posted by dbstooThat's an interesting point.  Does that mean that you can use the same belt to re-point your tungsten and shape steel?Shops often have different rules based on production speed VS cost of materials.   That makes sense.  In 6 months I've only taken my tungstens down by an inch or so.    That's spread over 4 boxes of various size electrodes.  Since I'm a hobbyist and paying for my own mistakes, it's not a problem.   Dan
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYes, I use my belt sanders for a wide variety of uses. Mostly for blending and deburring, but also for tungsten shaping.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYes, I use my belt sanders for a wide variety of uses. Mostly for blending and deburring, but also for tungsten shaping.
Reply:Originally Posted by dbstooIf you grind off the aluminum,  it will embed in the wheel and transfer back when you grind the point.   You will be contaminating the new point.   That's why the recommended practice is to cut it off some (small) distance beyond the contamination and then grind a new point.Personally, I don't like the arc characteristics of a contaminated tungsten so I swap it for a fresh ground one whenever I mess it up.I've been grinding a notch with the edge of the wheel and then snapping it.   A thin cutoff wheel will do the job too.Dan
Reply:a lot of the hobby welders seem to over-complicate tungsten grinding and worry way too much about contamination.you don't need a dedicated grinder for sharpening.miller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:Originally Posted by boatbuoya lot of the hobby welders seem to over-complicate tungsten grinding and worry way too much about contamination.you don't need a dedicated grinder for sharpening.
Reply:Ok thanks guys!
Reply:This is a very informative thread!I really have no idea what I am doing.Two Shop Cats (not Bobcats...real cats)Miller DialArc 250 AC/DCScratch-Start TIG SetupMIG 175Plasma CutterO/A
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonNot in my case Dan. We use belt sanders which don't load up. If I catch an employee "trimming" his or her tungsten they get a heart to heart from me. I can make a 2% lanthanated tungsten last a year with the right disciplines.
Reply:ive been lazy befor and just burned the contanimation  off the tungsten befor probally not the best practice though lol. Im with shovelon those tungstens get pricey i dont do it everyday but i do a fair bit of it and have had a 5/32 cerated for a few yrs now its getting short now but im using it to the bitter end i think it cost me 35$ or something for just one.High Octane Welding
Reply:Dang 35$ for 1. You pi$$sed off the wrong guy. I got 6 of them for 15$ like a month ago. Sorry to rub it in couldn't resist
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313Dang 35$ for 1. You pi$$sed off the wrong guy. I got 6 of them for 15$ like a month ago. Sorry to rub it in couldn't resist
Reply:Oh that blows! I think there usually 11$ here in portland or.i just got a smokin deal on them.  I pay 4$ for 1/8 and 3$ for 3/32. I go to this mom and pop place alot so my prices are real good. I started using gold 1.5% lanthanated and like it holds heat good to. For AC. I use red on DC.  I'm havin trouble finding 2% in 1/8 size
Reply:If the tungsten is only slightly contaminated, put your machine on DC+ and strike an arc on a piece of copper for a couple seconds and it will clean the tungsten. Have heard you can even use a penny.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749I wouldn't last a week working for you TerryOriginally Posted by motolife313Oh that blows! I think there usually 11$ here in portland or.i just got a smokin deal on them.  I pay 4$ for 1/8 and 3$ for 3/32. I go to this mom and pop place alot so my prices are real good. I started using gold 1.5% lanthanated and like it holds heat good to. For AC. I use red on DC.  I'm havin trouble finding 2% in 1/8 size
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveIf the tungsten is only slightly contaminated, put your machine on DC+ and strike an arc on a piece of copper for a couple seconds and it will clean the tungsten. Have heard you can even use a penny.
Reply:If your gona light up on a penny I think it would need to be dated before 1964.
Reply:I use a bench grinder with a generic gray wheel for grinding everything from wood, plastic, aluminum, steel, stainless, and then my tungsten. Never noticed any ill effects.I also sharpen my tungsten facing upwards on the wheel. People say it will catch and riffle out of my hands and into my stomach. Haven't even come close to that ever happening.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTI use a bench grinder.I also sharpen my tungsten facing upwards on the wheel. People say it will catch and riffle out of my hands and into my stomach. Haven't even come close to that ever happening.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonTry HTPusa weld for 2%. And Ebay.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYes you would. But if you are late for work you bring donuts for everyone.
Reply:throw it away, it's CONTAMINATED!!!! The horror!
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313If your gona light up on a penny I think it would need to be dated before 1964.