Tip for all TIG Welders

"BJohnson11" (brettjohnson01) 07/11/2014 at 21:24 • Filed to: None

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Today I learned the simplest yet very effective way to grind Tungsten electrodes. Through the couple years I've been welding, I'd never thought to do this, but hey, when you're working in a shop with guys who have years of fabrication experience for off road race teams, these are the little things you pick up.

Anyways, step 1, put electrode into cordless drill bit chuck. Step 2, turn on dedicated tungsten grinding wheel (or a belt sander if you dont have a dedicated grinder). Step 3, hold drill at angle, spin the electrode with the drill, and grind your electrode tip. Perfectly conical and nicely pointed electrodes every damn time.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > BJohnson11 07/11/2014 at 21:30

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Why can't you just use a pencil sharpener?

/ definitelytrolling

claramag, Mustaco Master > BJohnson11 07/11/2014 at 21:51

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Got any other tips from the shop you'd like to share to amateur welders?

BJohnson11 > claramag, Mustaco Master 07/11/2014 at 22:00

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Practice! Tough to give tips without being there in person, but it all boils down to practice. For Steel (and Aluminum for that matter), start thick and work thinner. Thicker material is way more forgiving and easier to learn on. But it really all does boil down to practice. Work on keeping your torch hand steady, work on feeding filler rod with your other hand, and just get as much time with the machine as possible.

Frank Grimes > BJohnson11 07/11/2014 at 22:09

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I WANT TIG WELDER!!!!

Clown Shoe Pilot > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 07/11/2014 at 22:26

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I kinda do use a pencil sharpener -

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > Clown Shoe Pilot 07/11/2014 at 22:29

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That's not a pencil sharpener. That's an alien probe, sent to probe us all.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 07/11/2014 at 22:31

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it's a tungsten grinder. perfect points every time!

Josh Welton > BJohnson11 07/11/2014 at 22:33

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and make sure you move the tungsten back and forth on the wheel, or you'll dig a groove in it. FWIW I'm still old school, like to do it by hand.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > Clown Shoe Pilot 07/11/2014 at 22:36

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This makes me curious whether there are any of these at my place of work. I've heard one of the welders say there are some bad habits in place in terms of using too-big electrodes ground down and run hot - so apparently we use epic to stupid quantities. If we don't have an actual point grinder, we may be even dumber than I thought.

BJohnson11 > Josh Welton 07/11/2014 at 22:42

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Up until today, I did too. But after learning this, I might have to switch things up.