Trimming tungsten after contamination?

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How far back do I need to trim tungsten back after dipping it in the puddle?  Do I just regrind the point or do I need to snap off 1/4" or more of the electrode?Chris
Reply:I think I saw on a miller video the other day to cut back and inch and then resharpen
Reply:If its real bad I cut it off, careful snapping it, you can crack it lengthwise and end up losing more than ya bargained for.Most of the time I just grind it off.Yup
Reply:i just grind it offMillermatic 211weldpack 3200 squirtgunsquare wave 200victory journeyman kitHypertherm 30xptoo much other crap to listtinkerer extraordinaire
Reply:I just grind mine, too. But make sure the 'bulge' is gone. That's contaminated, whether it's alum or steel.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Originally Posted by 6010I think I saw on a miller video the other day to cut back and inch and then resharpen
Reply:take a pair of pliers, grip right behind the contamination, tap the contaminated part on the table and it will break off.  tungsten is brittle. it doesnt take much of a tap.
Reply:I a;ways just grind it.  Also I can not snap mine off, I use the lanthinated (it bends)Tim Beeker.
Reply:Another vote to just grind off the contamination and back to work.
Reply:I grind it, because I think the contamination doesn't get INTO the tungsten, just on the outside.David  Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by drivethruboy54take a pair of pliers, grip right behind the contamination, tap the contaminated part on the table and it will break off.  tungsten is brittle. it doesnt take much of a tap.
Reply:ive never split a peice lengthwise, to each his own.  Its just the way i do it, not the only way, just my way.
Reply:Thanks, I am using 1/16" lanthanated electrodes and have been cutting them 1/4" or so with a pair of dykes.  I guess I will keep doing that, just trimming the 'fat' part.TIG welding is a lot of fun, I restore old woodworking machines as a hobby and TIG welded a couple of mis drilled holes shut yesterday.  Worked a lot faster and was easier than using my MIG.Chris
Reply:The result of a 'double dip' in alum, 3/32" tung (red) and the fix. I didn't break off the tung, just 'belted' it clean.   A 1/16" tung may be too brittle to put up with the side pressure necessary for this. Sorry about the blurry pics, I can't get the auto-focus figured out on this camera. Attached ImagesLast edited by Craig in Denver; 08-17-2008 at 09:19 PM.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Yeah, the lanthinated doesn't snap off like pure does.  If you can just grind it then no need to cut it shorter, but as mentioned, it may be to small dia. to grind it off.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Originally Posted by *chris*Thanks, I am using 1/16" lanthanated electrodes and have been cutting them 1/4" or so with a pair of dykes.
Reply:Originally Posted by turboguyThe only dykes I know live a good 10 minute drive away from me....and I'm not really sure how they'd react to me showing up at their door, Tungsten in hand.I'll probably just grind mine off if it's all the same