Best tungsten for 16/18ga staineless? (~80A)

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I've only done MIG welding at work, and after 5 yrs they're throwing me on TIG.  I've done TIG before, but not on sheet metal.The other guys in the shop are just using your regular red-band 2% thoriated tungstens.Oh yah... we're using 3/32" tungstens.We're welding 16 and 18 gauge (mostly 16) stainless sheet, and I'll probably be in the 80A neighborhood.What's the best tungstens for this?  I read on a chart that 2% thoriated is good for high current work, and offers good arc starting.  Also good for low-amp AC.Would a 2% ceriated or 2% lanthanated be better?The chart I'm looking at is here: http://www.weldcraft.com/parts-acces...en-electrodes/Thanks in advance!!!"A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Ceriated claims better arc starting... I would go with thoriated or lanthanated personally.Honestly though you probably won't even notice a difference between those 3. Any nice sharp 3/32" tungsten other than pure tungsten (green) will work well.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:I agree, 2% thoriated hands down. When they outlaw thoriated I will switch to 2% lanthanated.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:When I'm welding allot of thin steel i like 1/16 thoriated. I use 3/32 for it allot also.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Ok, so it seems that at low-amp DC, Lanthanated or Ceriated aren't any better than regular Thoriated tungsten?I'm heading down to my local welding supply shop today to pick up some other stuff, I'll see what they say.  Just want to hear what people on here think, from those who weld stainless sheet all day."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Thanks again everyone.'Just got back from my local welding supply shop and the guy there even said you won't notice much of a difference between 2% thorium and the others. "A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Originally Posted by z0diacThanks again everyone.'Just got back from my local welding supply shop and the guy there even said you won't notice much of a difference between 2% thorium and the others.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonLike he has a clue.
Reply:i use 3/32" for everything, i cant tell a difference between arce stability with ceriated, lanthenated and thoriated to be honest. i used thoriated for the longest time and then switched to ceriated because its non radioative.mike
Reply:Originally Posted by killingmachinei use 3/32" for everything, i cant tell a difference between arce stability with ceriated, lanthenated and thoriated to be honest. i used thoriated for the longest time and then switched to ceriated because its non radioative.mike
Reply:You can always position a small shop-vac in very close proximity to the grinding wheel, with a good filter inside.  Perhaps not ideal, but better than nothing.