tungsten woes

[roofman]

guys i cant seem to get the arc to come off the point of my tungsten right...do these things need not only a sharp point which mine have but a regular and smooth ground profile??? it seems to come from the whole ground area instead of the point..ime grinding it very light and facing the forward edge of the stone but need a few pointers here...any advice??

 

[zx9]

Have you had a look at the tungsten prep in the TIG FAQs? http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/w/index.php?title=DC_Electrode_Preparation FWIW I grind them as per the second picture, the pin vise make it easier but you don't need one.

 

[roofman]

Have you had a look at the tungsten prep in the TIG FAQs? http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/w/index.php?title=DC_Electrode_Preparation FWIW I grind them as per the second picture, the pin vise make it easier but you don't need one.

ive been playing with an idea last 20 mins and ive cracked it...thinking outside the box and ile post up my invention LOL later.cheers bud

 

[roofman]

Ok i now have a pin point arc made possible from the roofman tungsten grinding tool ..Take a diamond sharpener bought cheaply at loads of places and screw a piece of fibreglass on the end,a few holes angled down used as a steady only and put the tungsten into a high speed drill and spend about 30 seconds very lightly pressing the tip onto the diamond surface resulting in a super smooth even sharp tip.The arc now exits from right at the tip with zero profile arcing.Dont laugh before you try you,ll be very surprised

 

[Pete.]

Nice job of thinking outside the box but you'll do better again if you can get the grind marks running axially to the point instead of around the circumference.

 

[roofman]

Nice job of thinking outside the box but you'll do better again if you can get the grind marks running axially to the point instead of around the circumference.

the fine diamond side gets it almost as smooth as the un-ground sides...this was my main problem,grinding without giving the tungsten a path for irregular arcing

 

[daleyd]

I struggled like mad using my bench grinder until I got hold of one of hudmut Dremel attachments - amazing what having the right tool does for you - I can now grind a pack of 10 tungstens in seconds, almost as quickly as I can ruin them by my ham fisted welding efforts!!.
Your solution looks good though, but as said above I always thought it was best to grind along the length rather than sideways, though as you have pried perhaps with a fine diamond finish its not an issue. Good job!

 

[roofman]

I struggled like mad using my bench grinder until I got hold of one of hudmut Dremel attachments - amazing what having the right tool does for you - I can now grind a pack of 10 tungstens in seconds, almost as quickly as I can ruin them by my ham fisted welding efforts!!.
Your solution looks good though, but as said above I always thought it was best to grind along the length rather than sideways, though as you have pried perhaps with a fine diamond finish its not an issue. Good job!

ide like another member to try this out who uses tig and report his findings...ive looked at the profile with a strong magnifing glass and there is almost no diaginal<<(spell) markings. maybe a solution for lads who has,nt got hedmut money or like me a tight git

 

[AndersK]

If you get that smooth finnish you shouldnt notice much difference to grinding them "properly"

Very lean, like your idea.

I've made an adaption to a dremel style grinder. Works like other with the difference I can insert a "smudged" tungsten without cutting it first.

 

[roofman]

If you get that smooth finnish you shouldnt notice much difference to grinding them "properly"

Very lean, like your idea.

I've made an adaption to a dremel style grinder. Works like other with the difference I can insert a "smudged" tungsten without cutting it first.

would you like to share

 

[AndersK]

Found an attachment to grind chain saws with that I used as base.
Collets made from standard set-screws. Can set any angle. When having a blob on the tungsten just turn it up and insert from the disc side.

 

[roofman]

View attachment 66992

View attachment 66993

View attachment 66994

Found an attachment to grind chain saws with that I used as base.
Collets made from standard set-screws. Can set any angle. When having a blob on the tungsten just turn it up and insert from the disc side.

very good that..thanks for sharing

 

[optima21]

I use a diamond coated grinding disc using a slitting saw holder in a pillar drill.

I already had the slitting saw holder,but I think it'll be the same as one below which does from 1/2" to 1" saws, so it'll be ok for 5/8 and 7/8 saws, which is near enough for 16 and 22mm bore grinding wheels.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300711276850

its a 115mm disc in that picture, but I have got a 100mm one as a spare

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291268213175

 

[Richard.]

I have a dedicated fine grain wheel on a bench grinder for tungstens and drill bits. It's just the ticket. Trick is to keep it turning and a sharp angle against the wheel rotation so the grind marks go long ways up the point not around the circumference as well said by Pete. It's certainly not the safest way to do it so gloves and glasses are essential but for me it gets the profiles I need. I use quite a number of different preps some even have 2 angles on the point (for AC.) and the bench grinder is great for all once mastered. I've used tungsten grinders loads of times and they are nice safe bits of kit but I prefer the bench grinder personally as it's what I'm used to.

 

[Tigman]

you could get one from Hudmut , his grinder is a nice tool ! attach it to a dremmel and hey presto sharp tungstens !

 

[roofman]

you could get one from Hudmut , his grinder is a nice tool ! attach it to a dremmel and hey presto sharp tungstens !

i know its a star tool but trying to keep the credit cards in the top draw

 

[Richard.]

Wiz em up on the BG and get practising at doing it. You'll get to the point where it's second nature when you've ground as many as I have. The link that zx9 put up is the way to do it. I only do it one way (second picture)

 

[AndersK]

The bench grinder will always do the job if done properly.
I find it difficult though on cut off tungstens to fit a short cap.

Also as stated wear gloves and eye protection. If it goes wrong tungsten disintegrates in small pieces. It is not magnetic hence very difficult to get out of eyes.

Last year I had my incoming power replaced by the electric company. Tested the compressor first and it started in the right direction.
First time I tried to grind a tungsten on the bench grinder I was up for a big surprise, it disintegrated in my hands. Only found one 10mm long piece of it.
Didnt notice before the grinder rotated wrong direction.