Tungsten Sharpeners

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I have been sharpening my tungsten on a belt sander. So far it's been working. Looking for info on those hand held electric tungsten sharpeners. Anyone using one? Are they worth the expense?~Scott~You can see what projects I'm working on on my Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bucke...3595655?ref=hlbucket_of_bolts on Instagram HTP 221 DV
Reply:Like this:  https://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=127I got one for 50 bucks.  I don't use it.  Use a belt sander in the shop.  Nice if you are in the field.  I keep it in my travel kit.  It might be worth 50 bucks, I don't know about $280.  It hasn't save  or earned me 50 bucks.  I sharpen a box of tungsten before I leave and never run out of sharpened tungstens on the size jobs I do.Last edited by tapwelder; 10-12-2014 at 12:23 AM.
Reply:I don't think its worth the expense but its a real nice tool, HTP has some cheaper models,  I built an attachment for my dremel which saved me a lot and it takes under a minute to get it all set up.
Reply:I have one. I LOVE it. Can't live without it.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:At work we use ULTIMA tungsten shatpeners, and honeztly, if we were allowed, id sharpen then on a bench grinder.Sent from my LG-P716 using Tapatalk
Reply:I have one, and i really like it. For me it was worth the expense. I purchased the Turbo Sharp™ X Tungsten Electrode Grinder, 110V US Model from my LWS for $560 or so. They ordered it from CK, and gave me a discounted price.GarLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:Originally Posted by GarI have one, and i really like it. For me it was worth the expense. I purchased the Turbo Sharp™ X Tungsten Electrode Grinder, 110V US Model from my LWS for $560 or so. They ordered it from CK, and gave me a discounted price.Gar
Reply:I bought the adjustable one from htp with two ten packs of tungsten total price of $323 shipped in. Won't go back flap disc.
Reply:Originally Posted by BucketOboltsI have been sharpening my tungsten on a belt sander. So far it's been working. Looking for info on those hand held electric tungsten sharpeners. Anyone using one? Are they worth the expense?
Reply:I also have a Tungsten Sharpener, I like it because the tip contour is repeatable and consistent, one more variable eliminated.  I made a sharpener using a saw blade sharpner, HF 50 beans, has a 4 in diomand wheel. Worked fair, the problem I ran into, was using a drill to rotate the electrode.  Would produce swirls in the tungsten and arc wander was always a concern.Plunked down the big bucks for the tool. It was worth it to me, not only for the above reasons mentioned but the size of the tool is also and advantage.Happy to sell you the sharpener pictured for the 50 if so inclined.Magazines have issues, everything else has problems
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonWhat kind of belt sander do you have? The nice thing about them is they are multipurpose. Can't drag me away from my Klamazoo high speed 2x48" belt sanders. One is 30 years old, the other 20 years old. USA made but kind of pricy at $450.
Reply:Originally Posted by pepiI also have a Tungsten Sharpener, I like it because the tip contour is repeatable and consistent, one more variable eliminated.  I made a sharpener using a saw blade sharpner, HF 50 beans, has a 4 in diomand wheel. Worked fair, the problem I ran into, was using a drill to rotate the electrode.  Would produce swirls in the tungsten and arc wander was always a concern.Plunked down the big bucks for the tool. It was worth it to me, not only for the above reasons mentioned but the size of the tool is also and advantage.Happy to sell you the sharpener pictured for the 50 if so inclined.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI have one. I LOVE it. Can't live without it.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonWhat kind of belt sander do you have? The nice thing about them is they are multipurpose. Can't drag me away from my Klamazoo high speed 2x48" belt sanders. One is 30 years old, the other 20 years old. USA made but kind of pricy at $450.
Reply:Originally Posted by BucketOboltsIt's nothing fancy. I got it at Lowes. It has a 4 inch wide belts sander and a round sander on the side.It does come in handy from time to time for other things.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeCompared to the same cost for a tungsten grinder, the sanders are cheap
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonI have the same type at home. It is a delta with the 6 inch disc on the side. It is a slow speed belt sander compared to my Kalamazoos which are high speed. Thought I would use it for sharpening shovels and such but hardly do. Can't sharpen drills either like my Kalamazoos can. If you want to see them and the type of tungsten grind I do you are welcome. I am in Chatsworth around the corner from the Chatsworth Metrolink station.
Reply:BucketOboltsThe only reason to own a hi-end tungsten sharpener is: because you are superior with TIG - and you are doing high-cert. / critical-work.Keep it simple - keep it cheap - until you can teach.Opus
Reply:Use a 4 1/2" grinder clamped in your vise.1/4" thick aluminum oxide wheel.Put your tungstens in a cordless drill.Perfect precision sharpened points on 3/32" and 1/8" tungstens.Don't work on 1/16 and smaller.I don't use 1/16 and smaller tho.Just a cheap and functional way to get er done.
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROBucketOboltsThe only reason to own a hi-end tungsten sharpener is: because you are superior with TIG - and you are doing high-cert. / critical-work.Keep it simple - keep it cheap - until you can teach.Opus
Reply:I use chem-sharpening. Its tough to beat for cost and portability. Not to mention it creates a perfectly symmetrical tip and stops the possibility of the leaning candy cane arc when welding steel.I don't weld for a living but I sure feel like I'm living when I'm welding.
Reply:I went for years just sharpening on any old grind stone.  Eye balling it.  It works.  And for most stuff seems to be acceptable.I picked up a Sharpe and it just made getting consistent tips that much easier.  The angle was always the same, and the tip centered etc. etc..  That bad news it takes one more excuse away.The cheaper handheld grinders ($250 range) tend not to have scales/markings on them for exact angles.  You have to step it up in price (I think) to get that.If you go all the way to a Piranha grinder, you can even buy finer abrasive wheels for a smoother finish.  For the others, you have to do some research to see what is available.  Ebay is your friend for reasonable prices.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:I own one but wouldn't buy it again.   A belt sander is faster and handier.  The biggest problem I have is goobered up tungsten tips won't fit through the hole.  So with a little glob, you have to snap the tungsten off.  Only happens to me on steel if I dip and keep going (as I get away with on steel at times).TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255I own one but wouldn't buy it again.   A belt sander is faster and handier.  The biggest problem I have is goobered up tungsten tips won't fit through the hole.  So with a little glob, you have to snap the tungsten off.  Only happens to me on steel if I dip and keep going (as I get away with on steel at times).