Tungsten Grinders, Are they worth it?

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So what do you guys think about the tungsten grinders out on the market right now ? I been looking at tungsten grinders since I got my syncrowave 210 and the prices are outrages just for sharpening tungsten. I know there are benefits on grinding tungsten at certain degrees but one shouldn't have to pay up the bum for such a tool. I almost pulled the trigger on the cheapest tungsten grinder htp has. I figure when I get better at tig welding then tungsten grinding should be an occasional thing, Better welders have to sharpen tungsten less frequently am I correct ? Last week I welded all day on some steel without sharpening the tungsten using cheap E3s which seem to last long. I could see buying an expensive tungsten grinder in a production setting where tolerances are needed, but even back then when no such thing existed welders got by.   I couldn't justify spending $250 to sharpen tungsten, also got tired of tearing up my grinding wheel so I tinkered on the lathe and mill thinking of a simpler way to sharpen tungsten. I made a simple tungsten grinding attachment for my dremel, It uses diamond grinding wheels and has holes drilled for 1/8, 3/32, and 1/16 tungsten. The attachment works great but I didn't like the set angle of 30 degrees for welding thinner aluminum so I used the bigger holes for smaller tungsten which allows for more control and adjustment for different tapers. I like being able to adjust the taper for thinner and thicker stuff instead of a set angle. Its still a work in progress and will be installing a clear plug on top of the attachment to keep the dust down, The best part I could hang it on the wall, table or inside the syncrowave compartment. I was also thinking of buying a harbor freight wanna be dremel and use it just for grinding tungsten which would save me money and space.   Attachment 808771Attachment 808781Attachment 808791Attachment 808801Attachment 808811
Reply:Nice and creative little adapter. I've never had a grinder and have got by but don't really have to do anything cosmetic in appearance on semi trailer repairs.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:very clever idea.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:That looks good. If I knew how to thread on my lathe I'd be making that too. How long did it take you?Next make a top that threads on so you can use that to put a flat spot on the tungsten. Here are my thoughts on a tungsten grinder. Before having one I would have never spent the money on it. I always used a bench grinder or some other form.  Surfing CL one day some guy had a one for $120. Figured I would take the 60mile road trip each way since it was a good price. Guy ended up having some of the most amazing metal artwork I had ever seen all through his house that he did himself. Said it's at museums and stuff like that. Seeing that alone was worth the trip. So I got my grinder and went on my way. So I've had it for about a year and I have to say that it is worth every penny. I can't live without it. At this point I feel the one on the market for $229 or $234 is WELL worth it. I can sit at my bench and weld and if I have to regrind I just reach over and grind. No need to chuck it in a drill, sit at my bench grinder, get out of the welding zone to grind for a few minutes. Just put the tungsten in, rotate and I'm back to welding in less than 45 seconds.The way I see it, it's a one time investment. If the motor ever quits, they are cheap. The expensive part is the head. And here is a little tid bit for you. If you buy it, you can thread it onto your dremel. I have a cordless dremel that I never use so I can put it on there. You just need to drill out the center maybe 1/16th more.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:Originally Posted by GambleThat looks good. If I knew how to thread on my lathe I'd be making that too. How long did it take you?Next make a top that threads on so you can use that to put a flat spot on the tungsten.
Reply:I use an orbital sander with some 120 grit sanding discs.  One disc will sharpen about 20 tungstens before slowing down.  It's fast, easy, and puts a very nice polished surface on the tungsten.  Way better than what I can get on a bench grinder.  I'm only using 2% Lanthanated now, so no worrying about thorium or radioactive dust.Already had the sander, and a box of discs.  Cheapest way I can think of doing it, a sanding disc is like what?  3 or 4 cents?