- Thread starter restorer
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malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
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Miller has a good page with a bit about tip grinding: http://www.millerwelds.com/education/tech_tips/TIG_tips/setup.html
Make sure you don't grind to a point - arc gets wandery if you do that. Also snap the end off the tungston first to get rid of the steel from where you've dipped it into the weld pool.
Make sure you don't grind to a point - arc gets wandery if you do that. Also snap the end off the tungston first to get rid of the steel from where you've dipped it into the weld pool.
Drains
Yeah, nah.
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I'll have to disagree here Malcolm. For DC, you want as pointy a point as you can get. At least, that's my experience. Anything else gives a wandering arc....
I might try rounding it now though, just to see....
irondarren
Member
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Simon i would say your spot on with the point, the sharper it is the more controlable the direction on the arc, at least thats what i have found. Also a sharp tungsten gives deep penetration, but a narrow width weld, a blunt tungsten gives a wide weld with low penetration. If millers suggest no point on the tip perhaps thats why they suggest 200+ amps for 6mm welding, because of lack of penetration.
Drains
Yeah, nah.
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Millers say a pointy tip too.
malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
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That's interesting - All my stuff has been done pointy (I'm sure it was based on Miller advice on grinding but they seem to have changed things round a bit). I'd thought their new advice would be the key as the arc seemed to be more stable on DC if I managed to achieve a rounded end without wasting the tungston by dipping it into the weld pool.
Go do a comparison and feed back here! It'll help sort my mind
Go do a comparison and feed back here! It'll help sort my mind
Cappy
Would be Luthier
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They should be ground along the length of the tungsten, ie.with the grain & not sideways on to the grinding stone. Keep their point longer that way
weldequip
Just as a point of interest (no pun intended here), the same applies to both centre and dot punches - sharpen along the axis not just spin it round on the rest. Seems such a small thing to do but it does make a difference.
irondarren
Member
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Should always be careful when grinding centre punches not to get them hot, applies to most similar things. best way with a centre punch is have some water handy, a quick touch on the grinder cool it, then another touch. Never let it get hot or its a bin job
Cappy
Would be Luthier
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Absolutely, and especially tricky on such fine points. I use the aluminium oxide wheels (the white ones) which have a softer bond and are not so aggressive as the normal carborundum ones. Even so, care and patience is needed.
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Always had as sharper point as i can get on the tungsten - found that gives me the best weld, and greatest control. When you get lazy and try welding with a tungsten that is ready for sharpening, the weld wanders about with very little penetration.
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
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Miller now recommends pointed for AC. I tried it and it works better. What happens is it quickly gets blunt, but not "bulb" shaped like they used to recommend and stays that way. Then the arc will not wander as much. Real helpful for corner welds.
As for grinding them along their direction, the idea is that any ridges/grooves will be aligned with the point. So the arc will be pulled to to the tip. Grinding crosswise will have ridges that will lead the arc in a circle around the tip.
As for grinding them along their direction, the idea is that any ridges/grooves will be aligned with the point. So the arc will be pulled to to the tip. Grinding crosswise will have ridges that will lead the arc in a circle around the tip.
restorer
Klaatu Barada Nikto
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Thanks for all the advice (I think!? 
).
I'll try pointy. I noticed on some videos I found, that it's thought best
to sharpen the tungsten by holding the end you want to sharpen
facing the direction of spin (at the top of the
wheel). Something to do with avoiding contamination?
I would have thought that any contaminating particles would be
blown back onto the tungsten this way? If the tip is held with
the direction of spin (at the bottom of the wheel) any debris would
harmlessly spin off.
). I'll try pointy. I noticed on some videos I found, that it's thought best
to sharpen the tungsten by holding the end you want to sharpen
facing the direction of spin (at the top of the
wheel). Something to do with avoiding contamination?
I would have thought that any contaminating particles would be
blown back onto the tungsten this way? If the tip is held with
the direction of spin (at the bottom of the wheel) any debris would
harmlessly spin off.
Drains
Yeah, nah.
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- Sefton, South Island, NZ
Most tools are sharpened pointing in the direction of spin. One reason is that it avoids getting a burr on the tool. Most grinders are designed to work this way. You hold the tool on the tool rest and the point of the tool onto the wheel. It is possible to buy reverse direction grinders, but I have no idea what they're for!
Si
Si
deuce bigalow
Member
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there a simply rule lads.the profile of the elerode determine the depth and profile of the weld pool. and ya can grind any tungsten to the sharpest point but the very point will allways be vapourised
