Just getting started in TIG

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Was wondering a few things: First, my local welding supply shop only carries 2% ceriated and pure tungsten. What is a recommendation starting out on steel and Al, 1/8 thick. Jody from welding tips and tricks.com  mentioned 2% lanthanated. Is there a brand or web site you would recommend? Second:  is it possible to cut the tungsten in half to make a two for one or do I just need to have a bunch of long electrodes. If so, what is a good way to cut them.Thanks in advance,Mike
Reply:Ceriated will work. It just doesn't take the heat quite as well as Lanthanated.3/32" will work fine for steel. you'll need 1/8" ceriated for alum. 3/32" will work, but it will ball fairly fast. If I'm running 180-200 amps on alum to start, 3/32" won't hold the point as well as 1/8" will. Both will ball, but the ball stays smaller on the 1/8" one. If I need more arc control, say I'm doing outside corners, I'll use 3/32" instead and deal with the disadvantage that I just have to keep repointing the tip to maintain the small stable arc I want. For but and T joints I prefer to use 1/8" on alum.I'll use 1/8" ceriated on steel, usually when I'm set up to do alum and just need a couple of quick tacks on steel. The arc isn't as nice on thin materials as it is with smaller electrodes. On 1/8" steel it's not a big deal, but if I have to do something thin say 1/16", I'll change to the smaller tungstens.Yes you can cut them. I use a zip wheel or the sharp edge of the grinder wheel to notch them pretty much all the way thru and just snap the last bit.Personally I don't cut mine in half. You waste a fair amount that way. Lets say you can only use up to the last  2" of the tungsten. If you cut it in half, you loose 4" that you can't use vs 2". Also you end up with 2 short pieces you have to sharpen, and that increases the risk you'll hurt yourself. I also find students don't tend to do a good job of grinding when the tungstens get that short. I usually use mine down to  maybe a bit under 3" and then save them for when I need short tungstens to get into tight locations..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:First off fine a LWS that carries everything...Not just bits and pieces.Second..I break all my tungsten into 4 pieces before I begin.It's easy.Hold the tungsten in a vice and using the flat back end of needle nose pliers go up against the vice with the pliers grab the tungsten and with a twist of the wrist they break off clean..There is pics of me doing this here but I'll be damned I cant find 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:Htp America is an excellent place to get tungsten. Local welding stores usually carry a very narrow selection. I'd recommend getting some E3 to hold you over until you order 2% lanthanated from htp. Order some 1/16 and 3/32 size tungsten, as for cutting them in half it all depends on the size of your backcap.
Reply:Originally Posted by That Guy ThereHtp America is an excellent place to get tungsten. Local welding stores usually carry a very narrow selection. I'd recommend getting some E3 to hold you over until you order 2% lanthanated from htp. Order some 1/16 and 3/32 size tungsten, as for cutting them in half it all depends on the size of your backcap.
Reply:The tungsten that works best will also depend on your welder.   The inverter based models like lanthanated.   My owner manual says not to use zirconated or pure.     I get 2% lanthanated  for under $15 for a pack of 10 from amazon.comDan----------------------------Measure twice.  Weld once.  Grind to size.MIG:  Lincoln SP100 TIG/STICK:  AHP Alphatig 200X
Reply:3/32  2%Thorieated for DC work. And 2% zerconiated for AC it's balls on its own nicely. Pure is not very good. The red will not ball nor will the 2% lanthanated. They will crystall ball. And like mentioned above use 1/8 inch tungsten  for aluminum 1/8  or bigger. And if you have a 17 torch you only need cut it in half even to use the smallest back cap. And grind your tungsten on a grinding wheel how you want it then put it on a 80 grit or 120 flap wheel to get out the deep scratches I know a guy that puts it on a 400 grit then polish wheel. And he's good
Reply:I use lanthinated tungsten myself. I like its versatility and it's capacity to hold hi amps. Pure tungsten is pretty much crap for running mild steel and aluminum unless your under powering the electrode.Plus... Maybe all the radiation from the lanthinated will make my hands glow in the dark one day and I won't need pesky Florescent lights to see what I'm doing. LolAlso...www.Weldingcity.com  is a good site to buy consumables, if you find their eBay store you can get a little better deal with free shipping.!Last edited by Dantheharleyman99; 12-06-2014 at 02:41 PM.Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman99I use lanthinated tungsten myself. I like its versatility and it's capacity to hold hi amps. Pure tungsten is pretty much crap for running mild steel and aluminum unless your under powering the electrode.Plus... Maybe all the radiation from the lanthinated will make my hands glow in the dark one day and I won't need pesky Florescent lights to see what I'm doing. LolAlso...www.Weldingcity.com  is a good site to buy consumables, if you find their eBay store you can get a little better deal with free shipping.!
Reply:Originally Posted by cajunboydamn. they are lot cheaper than htp and cyberweld and other places.....is tig rod and tungsten same quality?
Reply:I just ordered 2% lanthanated from weldingcity.
Reply:You will find that wont ball on ac
Reply:Good choice.As a new welder you will have short pieces soon enough without cutting them.  If you need to have them for confined spaces under a short cap just zip wheel them.  I sharpen my short pieces in my cordless drill chuck.  It works awesome for all but long thin pieces.I usually adjust balance on my htp220 to keep them sharp.  I thought those newer non thoriated tungsten were aimed at inverter machines with balance controlLast edited by bikesandcars; 12-06-2014 at 08:55 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313You will find that wont ball on ac
Reply:I found that Tungsten size is more important on aa transformer because they do ball up. It creates a much wider current path to the work.  So I would use .040 tungsten on thin stuff to get a narrow arc and more focus.  On inverters you can have a 1/8 tungsten narrowed to a point a weld thin material because it maintains that point.Tiger 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:Originally Posted by bikesandcarsGood choice.As a new welder you will have short pieces soon enough without cutting them.  If you need to have them for confined spaces under a short cap just zip wheel them.  I sharpen my short pieces in my cordless drill chuck.  It works awesome for all but long thin pieces.I usually adjust balance on my htp220 to keep them sharp.  I thought those newer non thoriated tungsten were aimed at inverter machines with balance control