Tungsten idetification

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How do you guys keep track of tungsten types, Particularly if you grind both ends and lose the colour codeing,  Cheers  Gordon.Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:I've always skirted the issue for our NADCAP welding audits by only allowing the use of one type of tungsten in our facility. It's inevitable that at some point you're going to lose the tracability of a tungsten.....and that's usually when an auditor is standing thereWe only purchase 2% thoriated and control it in this manner rather then trying to come up with a system of separating the tungstens. With inverters the 2% works good on all base materials so we haven't had any issues as of yet. I'll be interested to see what others are doing.
Reply:I don't know of any good reason to use more than one type of tungsten.  Other than pure tungsten, which I see absolutely no use for, I think it may take a highly controlled experiment to notice any performance differences between thoriated, ceriated, and lanthanated electrodes.
Reply:Pretty much just sticking to gold band, it seems to be a do all pretty well electrode. Red is fine too all around, but if gold can do the same thing without the worry of radiation then why. Brown was no good for DC, Orange not so much for higher current.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:same as above  only use one type 2% thor. for the last 19 years works for me. but i don't grind both ends i tryed that, didn't work for me .  if you contaminate one end bad  it won't fit in collet
Reply:Thank you for the replys, I have only ever used red and white electrodes, Will get some gold and see how I get on with them,Seems to me that the welding companies must spend a fortune developing tungstens for differing materials and most experienced welders are sticking to one type and having good results,  Thanks again  Gordon.Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:Yes, pick one and use it I foundwith an inverter anyway.I used to use red, but now ive moved to arctime, dont know if you can get it over there gordon.cant say the difference is striking, but i feel the arctime resists contamination...till you jamb it in there!!1.5% lath looked fine also, but i only tried that a little..I grind both ends if i dont have a lot around, but if i have plenty then i dont bother.red was fine, but the dust scared me a little, especially when there is an alternativeG
Reply:Originally Posted by gordon stephensonHow do you guys keep track of tungsten types, Particularly if you grind both ends and lose the colour codeing,  Cheers  Gordon.
Reply:Guess I am old school but use red and green and dont grind both end cause it wont fit in the torch after I contaminate it. Tried gold for everything but still use pure for Al but using an old Sync 250.....BrandonLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders