As I promised Beachcat, here's how I sharpen my tungsten. I was going to buy a comercially made grinder untill I found out they are over $300. The accesories listed below cost me about $35.
You will need;
-A Dremel tool
-Dremel EZ 406 starter kit which includes a mandrel and abrasive cutting wheels. Only one wheel is used.
-Dremel EZ 1 1/2"dia diamond wheel
-Dremel 565 Multipurpose cutting kit. Some Dremels already come with this attachement so you may already have it.It's the router-like base.
Basically, the diamond wheel is designed for cutting and not grinding because it is so thin, so I used an abrasive cutting wheel from the 406 starter kit to act as a back support for the diamond wheel. This prevents the diamond wheel from flexing when side load is applied.
It's a bit tight fitting the parts on, but they do fit. I have ground over 50 electrodes so far and there no visible wear on the wheel. When it does get worn, it can be flipped. I figured a small video should answer any questions.
-- Edited by hemi43 on Thursday 21st of February 2013 12:54:14 PM
i tig weld all the time where i work, i use a bench grinder with a diamond type wheel with a groove in the center, i put the tungsten in a drill and sharpen in about 5 seconds, plus they perfect points. although i use 1/8 tungsten, it looks like what u using is smaller. i also sharpen like 10 of them at a time so for the homebody that method looks good. i like tig but so tedious. guess im not patient enough
Have as any one ever tried the chemical sharpening their tungsten? I picked up several bottles at an auction a few years ago. I know I need much more practice with my TIG welding too. I would love to be able make fish scale welds like the pros do.
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i tig weld all the time where i work, i use a bench grinder with a diamond type wheel with a groove in the center, i put the tungsten in a drill and sharpen in about 5 seconds, plus they perfect points. although i use 1/8 tungsten, it looks like what u using is smaller. i also sharpen like 10 of them at a time so for the homebody that method looks good. i like tig but so tedious. guess im not patient enough
Most of my Tig welding is done with .093 tungsten, but I only have a few of them. I also have a dedicated 6"dia 220 grit diamond wheel, but I guess the lazy ass in me would prefer to sharpen them at my welding bench !! Also, the 220 grit is too fine and takes too long and puts too much heat in the electrode.
Have as any one ever tried the chemical sharpening their tungsten? I picked up several bottles at an auction a few years ago. I know I need much more practice with my TIG welding too. I would love to be able make fish scale welds like the pros do.
I have never tried it, but I hear it's a messy process and ends up taking longer because of the clean-up afterwards.
Dump and even the scrap yard normally built into the scale dont want to get stung with the disposal cost or have a transport truck turned around and sent back. Eats up any profit fast.
The accesories listed below cost me about $35.
Also, the 220 grit is too fine and takes too long and puts too much heat in the electrode.
