Got TIG welder now need a few more bits

[Paul-n]

Hi all

Well the R-Tech has arrived and now I need a few more bit's before I can use it.

Grinding the Tungsten ?

I have a Clarke 6" grinder / sander and understand I should use a new stone to grind the Tungsten.

Clarke only describe their stones as Fine/Coarse are either of these stones suitable ?

Someone on here though the sander could also sharpen Tungsten ? again the sanding belt is described as Coarse 60 , Medium 80 and Fine 120 are any of these suitable ?

Where do I go for the really nice gloves used by TIG welders ?

Gas is the last hurdle and thanks to the Gas thread I have a couple of local leads to follow up.

regards Paul

 

[Wozzaaah]

Ideally you should use a clean wheel for grinding tungstens and keep it for just that to prevent contamination.
You can also use a flap disc or a sanding disc on an angle grinder, it sounds a bit iffy and when Drains first mentioned it on here I didn't like the sound of it but having tried it it does work really well. Obviously you have to be very careful, it's best to hold the grinder in a vice.
Gloves are available in the forum shop for £3.99 or Weldequip has Esab ones at £7.85.
If you've gone down the non-rental gas route don't be alarmed at how fast the cylinder will run out if you're doing a lot of work. Tig is quite a gas heavy process due to the pre and post flow as well as the gas used while actually welding.
Looking forward to seeing your first attempts.

 

[Hitch]

You can get wheels specifically for grinding tungten, they are a greenish colour, and made from silicone carbide, instead of aluminium ozide. They will last longer.

As wozz has mentioned, you wnt to keep it just for grinding your tungstens, dont go sharpening drill bits on it. It will wear narrow ridges, sou only much use for grinding tungstens after a while anyway. Fine ones give a better point i find.
Flap discs do work, i tend to do that if i am onsite without a benchgrinder.

 

[Paul-n]

Woz/Hitch

Thanks for this.
I do have 2 angle grinders , although 2 is not enough ! already fed up with swopping between cutting/grinding and flap disk , using a flap disk does sound rather exciting !
Do you know a source for the silicone carbide disk ? I wonder if I could remove the sander and put one in it's place.

regards Paul

 

[Hitch]

If you can, try and get a zirconium belt, (blue iirc) 80g, id think that would do it...save modifying your machine. I imagine belts are easier to change than the wheel?

 

[Shox Dr]

Hitch is Correct. It's the Zirconium type you need.

Linky to the place I last bought from. Fast and very cheap, but then they were on offer

 

[Paul-n]

Hitch is Correct. It's the Zirconium type you need.

Linky to the place I last bought from. Fast and very cheap, but then they were on offer

Shox Dr

Blimey that made my eyes water however on closer inspection my belt is only 50mm x 686mm so it won't fit even if I did sell my first born to buy some

regards Paul

 

[chevyman_de]

I use inexpensive diamond grinding wheels for the tungstens like this one. I have a 600 and a 150 grit wheel.
Fast and cool grinding with those wheels installed on a cheap 150 watt grinder. Only disadvantage: you need a lathe or access to one to fit the wheels.

 

[Paul-n]

Hi all

This looks the ticket , may buy another bench grinder to mount it on if it won't fit where sanding belt is now fitted.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6-SILICON-CARBIDE-GRINDING-WHEEL-6-x-3-4-CARBIDE-/350337846028?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item5191c34b0c

Yep good old fleabay

Gas is definably a problem area , no rental and in close proximity seem mutually exclusive at the moment.

regards Paul

 

[langy]

Paul i use the same wheel from RDG Tools, they work very well, You need to sharpen the tungsten along its length.

Hi all

This looks the ticket , may buy another bench grinder to mount it on if it won't fit where sanding belt is now fitted.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6-SILICON-CARBIDE-GRINDING-WHEEL-6-x-3-4-CARBIDE-/350337846028?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item5191c34b0c

Yep good old fleabay

Gas is definably a problem area , no rental and in close proximity seem mutually exclusive at the moment.

regards Paul

 

[Paul-n]

langy

Fitted to my Clarke in place of the sander , not quite right the spacers are not the correct diameter and I have not got it shimmed good enough it wobbles a little.

When I have it shimmed right it was my intention to build a guard so I could only see the bottom quarter of the wheel then hold the tungsten in my hand and use the underside of the wheel to grind it [ sort of hard to explain , but I will be feeding the end to be sharpened under the wheel ? ]

I assume this will give longitudinal grooves as suggested ? and if the wheel snatches it , it will be pulled out of my hands ?

regards Paui

 

[langy]

Sounds about right Paul, I also sometimes use a tigpen, It looks like a pen where you put the tungsten in the end and it revolves when sharpened, works ok when i can find it.

langy

Fitted to my Clarke in place of the sander , not quite right the spacers are not the correct diameter and I have not got it shimmed good enough it wobbles a little.

When I have it shimmed right it was my intention to build a guard so I could only see the bottom quarter of the wheel then hold the tungsten in my hand and use the underside of the wheel to grind it [ sort of hard to explain , but I will be feeding the end to be sharpened under the wheel ? ]

I assume this will give longitudinal grooves as suggested ? and if the wheel snatches it , it will be pulled out of my hands ?

regards Paui

 

[paul r]

Hi all

This looks the ticket , may buy another bench grinder to mount it on if it won't fit where sanding belt is now fitted.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6-SILICON-CARBIDE-GRINDING-WHEEL-6-x-3-4-CARBIDE-/350337846028?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item5191c34b0c

Yep good old fleabay

Gas is definably a problem area , no rental and in close proximity seem mutually exclusive at the moment.

regards Paul

Hi Paul,

Have you got a HSS Hire Shop near you? I got a bottle about 2 weeks ago from them, no rental.

I Got a BOC pure argon cylinder for around £87 including a £10 deposit, rental free. It's a big bottle though! 84KG in total, but it's the only one they do..

Paul.

 

[langy]

Not sure i'm reading this right Paul, are you saying you got a BOC bottle of Argon from a hire shop without a rental agreement ???

Hi Paul,

Have you got a HSS Hire Shop near you? I got a bottle about 2 weeks ago from them, no rental.

I Got a BOC pure argon cylinder for around £87 including a £10 deposit, rental free. It's a big bottle though! 84KG in total, but it's the only one they do..

Paul.

 

[paul r]

Not sure i'm reading this right Paul, are you saying you got a BOC bottle of Argon from a hire shop without a rental agreement ???

Yes, exactly.

You leave a £10 deposit for the bottle, thats it. No rental

Paul.

 

[Paul-n]

Hi all

Thanks for the tip , will look for a TIG pen.

My local HSS does not do gas [ in fact the nearest 3 don't ] but they sent my enquiry to one about 30 miles way , they would only do rental on the 10 litre what they called the 'X' bottle ? but when I said I would only probably use it about 2 months out of the year they said they would wave the rental charge ? but I have not proved that is true.

regards Paul

 

[langy]

I have a BOC account and use the big W bottles, some of the BOC bottles are now tagged it would seem, BOC are quite funny about their bottles and i was surprised that they would let a hire company use them ??? Thats a good price without an account.

Yes, exactly.

You leave a £10 deposit for the bottle, thats it. No rental

Paul.

 

[paul r]

Hi all

Thanks for the tip , will look for a TIG pen.

My local HSS does not do gas [ in fact the nearest 3 don't ] but they sent my enquiry to one about 30 miles way , they would only do rental on the 10 litre what they called the 'X' bottle ? but when I said I would only probably use it about 2 months out of the year they said they would wave the rental charge ? but I have not proved that is true.

regards Paul

Yes, they 'Zero' the monthy rental on gas bottles and just charge you for the gas...

Paul.

 

[paul r]

I have a BOC account and use the big W bottles, some of the BOC bottles are now tagged it would seem, BOC are quite funny about their bottles and i was surprised that they would let a hire company use them ??? Thats a good price without an account.

Well I guess that when they hire out a welder, they need to supply the gas too.

I have the BOC bottle in my garage though

Paul.

 

[langy]

I reckon your right, didn't realise they did that.

Well I guess that when they hire out a welder, they need to supply the gas too.

I have the BOC bottle in my garage though

Paul.