Cheap Tungsten Grinder = Awesome!

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Well I am downsizing and didn't have room for my bench grinder so was looking for another option. I really only used the bench grinder for tungsten anyway. So I started a thread and was going to buy an actual HTP tungsten sharpener.See herehttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=154271Turbocad6 - posted saying he uses a multipurpose sharpener from harbor freight.See here: http://www.harborfreight.com/multipu...ner-99823.htmlThought about this for a little while and decided to try it out with a 20% off coupon. Finally got to use it this past weekend, I unboxed it and didn't even open any accessories that came with it, just plugged it in and put a electrode on it. I must say that I am VERY pleased, this little thing is awesome. Comes with a diamond wheel, it's VERY quiet and doesn't get the tungsten as hot as my bench grinder did. I left the guards on and spun the tungsten by hand.Just wanted to share this, and a big thank you to Turbocad6.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:Its on my list of needs.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Yeah I picked one of these up also and it sure looks to be an easy to use and cost effective solution. Too bad I won't get to use it anytime soon because I am traveling for work for a while...Much thanks to Turbocad6
Reply:Ok figured I would update this. I have used it a lot lately and I must say it's freaking awesome still! No issues or complaints at all! Love how quiet it is.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:Have you tried sharpening any cobalt twist bits?There is an HF store <10 miles from me, I will have to go check this out.- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Nope, this is my tungsten only grinder.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:I know next to nothing about TIG, but have been debating getting a Diversion.  If I got one of these sharpeners, could I use it for both drill bits and tungstens?  Or would using it for drill bits screw it up for tungsten?
Reply:Originally Posted by cafyrmanI know next to nothing about TIG, but have been debating getting a Diversion.  If I got one of these sharpeners, could I use it for both drill bits and tungstens?  Or would using it for drill bits screw it up for tungsten?
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleYou should have a dedicated wheel for tungsten only. I used a bench grinder from home depot for $30-$40. I kept one side for tungsten and the other for whatever.
Reply:hey man, glad your finding this thing as cool as I did. unlike a stone, the diamond wheel doesn't trap contaminants from the metal it's grinded really, so I think it's ok to use this for other things too, unless of course you're doing critical welds that you want to really be very critical and ensure no chance of contamination I guess... I've grinded other things like drill bits then went back to tungsten with no issues really... although yeah, it's mostly dedicated to just tungsten grinding I['m not afraid to do the occasional drill bit, or another thing I use it for occasionally is to make clean cut beveled edges on band saw blades to then silver solder them...  I haven't really looked to see what it would take to get a replacement diamond wheel for this thing yet, I wonder if just the wheel is available to replace?miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:I've been using one for I guess about six months now and I agree with all of you.  For the money it does a real nice job.  I made a modification to mine.  Made a water trough out of some aluminum I had laying around. The blade runs in it.  Sort of a wet saw principal.  You would be surprised how much residue it collects and keeps out of the air.  If I was a good tigger and not dipping the tungsten so often, I wouldn't be grinding so often.  Laugh!!  Best  Bob
Reply:Originally Posted by rhuntI've been using one for I guess about six months now and I agree with all of you.  For the money it does a real nice job.  I made a modification to mine.  Made a water trough out of some aluminum I had laying around. The blade runs in it.  Sort of a wet saw principal.  You would be surprised how much residue it collects and keeps out of the air.  If I was a good tigger and not dipping the tungsten so often, I wouldn't be grinding so often.  Laugh!!  Best  Bob
Reply:yeah, I have noticed that some of the big$$ 1k and up tungsten grinders are wet grinders... that sounds like a cool idea really... it doesn't throw a rooster tail spray when you spin it up though? the wet grinders I've seen are all fully enclosed with a window, I would think just a water tray would throw water out like crazymiller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:No, no rooster tail as the wheel doesn't really turn that fast.  The guards are still on the unit but the outer most one I leave loose so the water can reach the wheel and sits in it about 3/4 of an inch.  Regarding the picture, I have not mastered the art of putting my stuff on forums.  Sorry bout that.  Best  Bob
Reply:What's a rooster tail?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:a rooster tail is a spray pattern  that intiates fro one point but fans out as it disperses, kinda like a roosters tail...miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Somehow ever race fabricator i know, my father that has done work as a dupont welder for 20 years and every other welder I know makes due with a bench grinder and their fingers.I know of the theoretical benefits. But then again many people need toys to sharpen drill bits, others need just a bench grinder.Syncrowave 350Coolmate 3Millermatic 251Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:I love tools and uselful specialty gadgets, but I don't really see the advantage here unless specs call for it.I'm still a noob tig, I'm a hobby guy; learned the basics in VOTEC welding classes. I've got a fair amount practice hours at the home shop table though.I use a dedicated bench grinder wheel (which I had already, and just never really used the right side wheel) on mainly .040 and 1/16" tungsten. I grind up 5 at a time, and then snot the ends up fairly quickly. I don't blunt the ends anymore; I don't see a difference with the smaller diameter. I'm getting a groove in the wheel as well.  I have the bench grinder around anyway for whatever else.Seems like a lot of extra effort compared to spinning the tungsten against the wheel. I'll admit the .040 are a little tricky to manipulate sometimes.School me boys; whats the big upside here?Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.
Reply:Originally Posted by n20junkieSomehow ever race fabricator i know, my father that has done work as a dupont welder for 20 years and every other welder I know makes due with a bench grinder and their fingers.I know of the theoretical benefits. But then again many people need toys to sharpen drill bits, others need just a bench grinder.
Reply:JT, the question originally was, has anyone tried/used one of these sharpener.  If you prefer a standard bench grinder, so be it.  The sharpener that is the subject of this conversation has an diamond wheel and this for the money makes it such a good deal.  While your grinders wheel is starting to get a groove in it from sharpening your tungstens, the diamond wheel in this unit will last much longer.  This is the point of this conversation.  Best  Bob
Reply:I've become addicted to chemical tungsten sharpener. I don't even have to leave my seat to use it.......just don't knock the jar over.