Grinding Tig electrode tips

[stevieturbo]

So what tools do you actually use to grind them ? A bench grinder, or angle grinder ?

or something more elaborate ? ( relative newbie DIYer who's been using an angle grinder, but trying to achieve the longitudinal grind )

 

[deuce bigalow]

u can use an angle grinder mate, best way is to use a sanding pad on it bout 80 grit. grind into the rotation. put the grinder on its back on a bench.to get a very fine point keep turning it on and off to get a slower speed ,i do it all the time when im on site and i cant get to to a bench grinder.hope that helped

 

[stevieturbo]

Cheers....Ive been using both cutting discs, and the flap wheels on the grinder, like you describe.
Although I was grinding away from the rotation....Surely if you ground into the rotation, there is a high likely hood of the tungsten catching the flap wheel ?
ie, i grind with the "grind" towards the point.

 

[Wozzaaah]

I would have thought a flap wheel would be dangerous, if the tungsten snagged it could seriously hurt you! If you're going to use an angle grinder, it's probably better to use a backing pad with a FLAT disc on it, like this;

 

[stevieturbo]

Ahhh, yes. I understand. Ive never used one of those for a grinder before, so havent actually seen them used on a grinder. Only the crappy things you get for drills.

Im usually just cutting stuff with the grinder.

As I say...I was using the flap wheel in the direction were it couldnt snag.

Cheers.

 

[Drains]

I would have thought a flap wheel would be dangerous, if the tungsten snagged it could seriously hurt you! If you're going to use an angle grinder, it's probably better to use a backing pad with a FLAT disc on it, like this;

Away with you Woz. If you cant grind something like that, facing the oncoming disc (and not one with big lumps of granite like in your photo), you shouldn't be allowed out on yer own!

No, you're right, it does have nasty possibilities, as do many of the things we do. It requires care and a firm hand, much like a woman


btw, a flap disc would also be ok, as it turns in the nice direction, not the nasty one. That would be silly.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Away with you Woz. If you cant grind something like that, facing the oncoming disc (and not one with big lumps of granite like in your photo), you shouldn't be allowed out on yer own!

No, you're right, it does have nasty possibilities, as do many of the things we do. It requires care and a firm hand, much like a woman


btw, a flap disc would also be ok, as it turns in the nice direction, not the nasty one. That would be silly.

Hehe, yes Si, it is a bit coarse but it's the biggest photo I could find Looks like a 5 grit to me .
I reckon it'd be easy enough to make something to fit on a grinder to guide the tungsten, similar to that Lorch grinder in Matt's catalogue. (Sorry Matt )

I've just got visions of seeing a pic of someone in the 'nasty accidents' thread with a tungsten through their wrist

 

[ngt]

From miller handbook...

 

[Hitch]

I use a bench grinder, fitted with a tungsten grinding wheel (green jobbie)
ALWAYS grind it away from you, eg, the point pointing downwards on a bench grinder.
The worst that hapens then, is it snags on the toolrest and breaks.

As for the angle, i normally grind the point about 3 times as long as the diameter of the tungsten. Good rule of thumb for general work.

 

[stevieturbo]

Where would you get a green wheel ? and how much ?

I have a bench grinder here.....its been sitting in its box for the past 5 years lol This might actually be a use for it !!!!

 

[astro_al]

Do you guys worry about dust inhilation during tungsten grinding?

Al.

 

[Hitch]

About £10-15 for a wheel id guess, depends on your grinder. Any decent shop should do them.
Normal ones work fine, but dont last as long.

Strictly speaking, you shouldnt use the wheel for grinding anything else, as it can contaminate the tungsten.