Tungsten prep

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Hi,I was wondering what you TIG weldors are you using to grind the point on your tungsten electrodes. Bench grinder or Dedicated tungsten grinder? What kind of wheels are you using? Silicon Carbide or Diamond? Thanks from a Tig newb that needs some help.
Reply:I use either my bench grinder with it's standard aluminum oxide wheel or my 1x42 belt sander.  Both do a good job.  The bench grinder wheel is only used for tungsten but the sander is used for deburring and profiling and whatever.  I haven't had any problems with contamination from either.  Having said that, I do intend on getting a tungsten grinder like the one sold by HTP Welding someday,
Reply:I regretfully use a bench grinder only because I can't afford a tungsten grinder. This link will give you a good amount of information pertaining to tungsten prep. Not just what to use to dress it, but also, the not popularly known differences of the tip shape. http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...IG-Arc-Starts/ In my opinion, diamond is the way to go because it gives a polished finish."SOUTHPAW" A wise person learns from another persons mistakes;A smart person learns from their own mistakes;But, a stupid person.............never learns.
Reply:Supposed to use a diamond grinding wheel, with all grind marks going lengthwise along the tungsten for proper gas flow. As well as tungsten being the only thing the grinder is used for...The taper is supposed to be a max of 2 1/2 times the diameter of the tungsten.at my work, they use an aluminum oxide wheel, which is contaiminated because machinists often grind their drill bits on it... and they grind their tungsten improperly.... A huge freaking taper, ground the opposite of the way you're supposed to (they grind using the side of the wheel, something you're also not supposed to do as per warning labels! [not that anyone follows them anyway, i grind on the side of the wheel sometimes], but their finishing grind is also on the side of the grinder, leaving swirl marks in the tungsten for bad gas flow)... and it seems like it's about 40 grit or so... the wheel, that is.But they manage to do Xray tig welds with their tungsten ground as such... so I guess it can't matter too much :\You also could use a course wheel for getting the shape set, then a very fine wheel for the final grind.... like a mirror finish (ideal).
Reply:Originally Posted by papabearI regretfully use a bench grinder only because I can't afford a tungsten grinder. This link will give you a good amount of information pertaining to tungsten prep. Not just what to use to dress it, but also, the not popularly known differences of the tip shape. http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...IG-Arc-Starts/ In my opinion, diamond is the way to go because it gives a polished finish.
Reply:I used the bench grinder for a long time.  Then I started doing more and more tig.  I finally bought a sharpie which is a dremel with a diamond wheel.Bench grinder does a good job when done properly.  A diamond sharpened tungsten does hold up a little better.Now I rough them in on the bench grinder, then finish them on the sharpie. ($279.00 and worth it to me)DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I've read that a 400 grit grinding stone is good for Tungsten sharpening, I've been using my bench grinder (not sure what stone it has to be honest).In night school (I'm taking TIG classes at a local Community College two nights a week) the instructor recently brought in a Tungsten sharpener for the class to try, I was hooked, I ordered an HTP unit last week from HTP directly (from a nice guy named Mark).Regards to all.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Originally Posted by David R I finally bought a sharpie which is a dremel with a diamond wheel.($279.00 and worth it to me)
Reply:Originally Posted by papabearI will definitely have to check that out since the cheapest tungsten grinder I have seen is over $700.
Reply:we use a dedicated tungsten grinder.  It can give a nicer finish and that will help if your doing AC or another process where clean arc starting is critical.the last shop I worked at used a modified die grinder that had a small diamond wheel and a collet to hold the tungsten at preset angles. It worked well and was much cheaper.For home use and hobby work I just use a bench grinder, It's not even dedicated, but I do redress the wheel if I used it for a lot of something else. Dedicated tungsten grinding usually only becomes an issue when you start doing code and xray quality welds where you'll pick up all the porosity.
Reply:Sharpie from Arc-Zone had it for 2 years or so works great and the wheel lasts quite a while if you dont cut off with it.http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...x&cPath=15_165Donnelly Small Engine & WeldingFoley AlabamaLincoln 225 TigLinoln 215 migHypertherm Powermax 65Ellis 1600 sawEllis 6000 belt grinderJD2 Model 4 tubing benderAtlas  12"X54" metal latheLots of large hammers
Reply:Put your tungsten in a drill and spin it up on your choice of grinder, works like a charm.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Man did this thread ever produce! After some research, I think I'm going to start with a bench grinder and work my way to a dedicated sharpener.  Originally Posted by TozziWeldingPut your tungsten in a drill and spin it up on your choice of grinder, works like a charm.
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingPut your tungsten in a drill and spin it up on your choice of grinder, works like a charm.