TIG Welding Tungsten Selection

[dr_clyde]

People put way too much stock into tungsten type when they’re beginners. Literally use anything until you get good enough to tell the difference. It’s very slight and subtle.


Lanthanated or ceriated are good for 99.9% of most welding. Pick one and use it.

 

[duwem]

Whats the advantage of "rare earth" tungstens?

 

[dr_clyde]

Whats the advantage of "rare earth" tungstens?

Consistent arc starts, stability and amperage capacity.

 

[duwem]

Consistent arc starts, stability and amperage capacity.

So is the downside the cost?

 

[dr_clyde]

So is the downside the cost?

If there is much of a difference in cost, that would be the only downside.

There is absolutely no reason to buy thoriated tungsten anymore.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

I've got some welding to do on an aluminum canoe (0.050" wall) as well as some thicker sections on it with a Miller 330 A/BP. Right now I only have Thoriated and Pure. So consensus sounds like Lanthinated would be good choice? I only have a 3/32 collet, I'm not sure if that's a bit big or if I can just sharpen the tungsten more.

 

[Onefastgsx]

I've got some welding to do on an aluminum canoe (0.050" wall) as well as some thicker sections on it with a Miller 330 A/BP. Right now I only have Thoriated and Pure. So consensus sounds like Lanthinated would be good choice? I only have a 3/32 collet, I'm not sure if that's a bit big or if I can just sharpen the tungsten more.

Lanthinated is great for pretty much everything. I use it for steel, stainless and aluminum with great results.
For material that thin I would personally use 1/16 tungsten. You can grab a couple collets and a collet holder for less than $5 at a supply store. Grab a pack of 2% lanthanated in 1/16 and a pack of 3/32 for future use, because once you start using it it's all you'll use in the future

 

[Ohmthis]

This thread is a little bit old, but new enough for me to feel like I don't need to start a new thread. I just ran across it while researching. I have all but abandoned pure tungsten on my Precision Tig 225. I’ve had it for 12 years or so and it has always been a good machine, but I’m not happy welding AL with it. The arc wander has made me look at other possibilities. I still don’t have a clear view of what tungsten will work best with transformer vs inverter machines, mine is a transformer. With all of the new (I know lots have been around for a decade or more) choices, I’m looking to get the best choice for my machine. I am a DIY guy and my projects may range from welding a patch on a vehicle, fabricating stainless for my brothers business, repairing junk people bring me, and just playing around. I’ve looked at tables on each electrode and what was generalized. Non are specific enough for me I guess. Short of grabbing a few types and trying I’m looking for your all’s advice. Thanks!

 

[duwem]

I ended up with miller rare earth which is light blue. Mostly because I got some along with some other welding items I bought. Don’t have an opinion on it yet. My research showed that 2% lathanated was recommended the most.

 

[Ohmthis]

I ended up with miller rare earth which is light blue. Mostly because I got some along with some other welding items I bought. Don’t have an opinion on it yet. My research showed that 2% lathanated was recommended the most.

Recommended the most for what? Both types of machines? See where the confusion can come in?

 

[duwem]

Inverter machines.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

2% Lanthinated.

 

[Ohmthis]

2% Lanthinated.

Again for what? Transformer and inverter machines? AC and DC welding? Works great on all metals? If it’s the best, why are there different ones? Technology has evolved and so have our tungsten choices? I feel like I sound dumb, I’m just not educated. I’ve been at my current job for 11 years now and welding is way down the list of jobs I perform. So, anything that is not done at home or research on my own is not going to happen.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Transformer. AC or DC. Anything you would commonly weld in a homeshop, bronze, aluminum, steel, stainless, probably magnesium too.

Inverter machines prefer ceriated I've been told. I went from 2% thoriated to 2% Lanthinated and I could tell there was a night and day difference I could tell within the first 1/2 second of my arc. At heat levels that would make a glooby, off center ball larger than my electrode using pure tungsten barely makes the tinyest, pen nib sized ball on the Lanthinated. I'm a noobie to it as well, but I followed the advice of the guys and they were dead right.

 

[dr_clyde]

Inverters will run Lanthanated fine. 2% Lanthanated will work fine on any welder, on any settings. Buy those and be done with it.

There are some small benefits to be gained in certain areas with certain machines by changing up the alloy, but for 99% of general welding, 2% lanth. or 2% ceriated will work just fine.

 

[dr_clyde]

This is one of those areas in TIG welding that beginners or inexperienced people put WAY too much thought and worry into.

Tungsten type, tip prep, grinding wheel and so on matters very little until you get enough experience to see any noticeable difference.

Get some 2% lanthanated or ceriated tungsten. Pick whichever is cheaper at your LWS. Start with 3/32". Grind a point on it. Any old point. As long or as short as you want. Weld. If it gets dirty, grind it again. Grind it on anything you have handy. Bench grinder, belt sander, angle grinder, it DOES NOT MATTER. Just weld with what you have.

Once you get a few hundred hours of seat time behind a TIG torch, you can start to see the SUBTLE differences in between the alloys, the tip grind angles, when its more or less appropriate to use one or the other, and why.

 

[thejimmy]

This is one of those areas in TIG welding that beginners or inexperienced people put WAY too much thought and worry into.

Agreed
Some of the different blends are manufacturers attempt to elicit sales. You have hybrid, rare earth, cryogenic, and other "special" blends.

Really isn't going to make or break the weld, the biggest concern is located under the hood.