grinding tig tungsten

[Fixr]

Avoiding thoriated tungsten is a wise move. The half life of thorium 232 is 14 billion years, but the amount of radiation is very low for 2% thoriated electrodes, so low that it exempted from licensing or controls by the NRC. Still, it emits alpha and gamma radiation and the primary health concern is inhalation of the dust. Lanthanated or ceriated tungsten is a better choice to avoid health risks.

On Jody's advice years ago, I went to 2% lanthanated for everything, and I have failed it many times but I have never noticed that it failed me. I always found trying to maintain a consistent arc with a pure tungsten ball end on aluminum to be more of a challenge than I needed. May be appropriate for a transformer machine with very limited adjustments, but even my almost ten year-old chinese inverter machine makes aluminum welding much easier with a pointed electrode.

 

[MOS3522]

On Jody's advice years ago, I went to 2% lanthanated for everything, and I have failed it many times but I have never noticed that it failed me. I always found trying to maintain a consistent arc with a pure tungsten ball end on aluminum to be more of a challenge than I needed. May be appropriate for a transformer machine with very limited adjustments, but even my almost ten year-old chinese inverter machine makes aluminum welding much easier with a pointed electrode.

Are you using AC to weld the aluminum? 2% lanthanated is the preferred electrode for that.

 

[Fixr]

Are you using AC to weld the aluminum? 2% lanthanated is the preferred electrode for that.

I've never heard of using anything but AC to tig aluminum except maybe in quite unusual circumstances and maybe with different shielding gas.. I was mostly trying to point out that unlike the transformer Synchrowave 250 at my last job before retiring, pure tungsten with a ball isn't really the thing with an inverter welder that can customize a lot more parameters. We had a guy who could somehow run nice straight pretty and solid beads on .250 6061 with a balled tungsten and the Synchrowave, but I never understood quite how he did it. (Actually, I do. Tons of practice, talent and skill with naturally rock-solid hands). But even with far less of any of those, my shaky hands have made quite adequate welds on the same material because the inverter welder makes it far easier.

 

[MOS3522]

I've never heard of using anything but AC to tig aluminum except maybe in quite unusual circumstances and maybe with different shielding gas.. I was mostly trying to point out that unlike the transformer Synchrowave 250 at my last job before retiring, pure tungsten with a ball isn't really the thing with an inverter welder that can customize a lot more parameters. We had a guy who could somehow run nice straight pretty and solid beads on .250 6061 with a balled tungsten and the Synchrowave, but I never understood quite how he did it. (Actually, I do. Tons of practice, talent and skill with naturally rock-solid hands). But even with far less of any of those, my shaky hands have made quite adequate welds on the same material because the inverter welder makes it far easier.

Just checking . . . the only other way I know how to weld aluminum is with the aluminum spool gun on my MIG.

 

[Fixr]

Just checking . . . the only other way I know how to weld aluminum is with the aluminum spool gun on my MIG.

I think that aluminum can be and is actually DC TIG welded with different shielding gas in some industrial applications. I read something like that recently. Too esoteric for me. I'm still more comfortable applying an actual flame to the metal.

 

[Fixr]

I think that aluminum can be and is actually DC TIG welded with different shielding gas in some industrial applications. I read something like that recently. Too esoteric for me. I'm still more comfortable applying an actual flame to the metal.

And BTW, with my essential tremor and eyes with a narrow range of focus, I'll never be a good welder. I just strive to be a good enough welder.

 

[oldmachinenut]

This is my first try at using the Yeswelder tungsten sharpener/grinder I previously posted.
It is fast and very easy to use. I purposely left the blunt tip.

 

[sqznby]

Nice, Looks like it's a keeper

 

[Beerhippie]

This is my first try at using the Yeswelder tungsten sharpener/grinder I previously posted.
It is fast and very easy to use. I purposely left the blunt tip.

That is not the way to impress the ladies.

 

[hotspaws]

I havent tried a dedicated dremel style grinder but tried everything else and easiest for me was a Ryobi4x36 inch Belt sander

 

[rsanter]

I bought a diamond disc that I put on my grinder next to another wheel.

 

[zimman]

I bought one of these recently: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPV6J5GS?tag=atomicindus08-20







I'm very pleased with the results:



I've trained myself to carefully dip the tip in my puddle on a regular basis, so I get to use it a lot.

That's exactly how it should look but sadly, I don't have the time, money or patience to do that. I use a fingernail file. LOL
Zim