How do you sharpen your tungsten?

[jonyyuma]

How about one of those little Dremel tools with a diamond wheel.

J.J.those diamond bits for the dremel have been spotted at Harbor freight. You can save a bundle there on them. No need for crying when it is worn out, because of the price. I had already paid dearly, when i bought mine so I appreciated the cheaper version..Just a tip.

 

[deereman75]

I've looked at the chemical sharpeners but a wheel is quick, easy and puts Thorium dust in the air.....lol

This wasnt a chemical sharpener. It involved heating it up with a cutting tip, and pushing the cutting lever, and turning the tungsten. Something about the oxygen jet sharpening it.

 

[Shield Arc]

It involved heating it up with a cutting tip, and pushing the cutting lever, and turning the tungsten. Something about the oxygen jet sharpening it.

Boy I'd like to see that!:confused2:

 

[k0ua]

Does anyone understand how the chemical sharpeners are supposed to work? or do they work? I don't understand it. I have been using the belt sander.

James K0UA

 

[SPYDERLK]

Bench grinder, tungsten only wheel.

There is a Pirhana at work that I can access too.

I would think you could use your regular wheel, then dress it briefly on clean sandpaper or inexpensive diamond pad.
larry

 

[Shield Arc]

How far do you what to take this? I know weldors who Tig weld on Nuclear submarines, all their tungstens are machined. How many of us here really need their tungsten machined? I think for the majority of us here, (99.99999 %) a 4 inch grinder will work just fine.:laughing:

 

[Brushhill dave]

At work we use a dedicated wheel, please keep in mind that radioactivity is a concern, so don't use the tungsten disk for anything else

 

[k0ua]

I use the Lanthanated instead of the Thoriated. I was not sure about breathing all that nice Thorium dust. Jody over on Weldingtipsandtricks.com says the Lanthanated is just as good as the Thoriated anyway.

James K0UA

 

[Shield Arc]

Koua have you tried the Ceriated, (orange) tungsten? I use that for everything now, aluminum, and mild steel. With aluminum I found the tip stays sharper longer at around the 300-amp range, than the Lanthanated. Now I'm talking about welding on an inverter!

 

[k0ua]

Koua have you tried the Ceriated, (orange) tungsten? I use that for everything now, aluminum, and mild steel. With aluminum I found the tip stays sharper longer at around the 300-amp range, than the Lanthanated. Now I'm talking about welding on an inverter!

No I have only tried the 1.5% (gold) lanthanated tungstens. I am just taking my baby steps in TIG, just got set up with my Everlast 160 and all the gear to make it work. It is fun though, and sure different than stick welding. I dont miss all the smoke and fumes. Only spits and sparks when I forget to turn on the argon..I have only done it a couple of times but you sure know instantly something is wrong!

James K0UA