How do you sharpen your tungsten?

[jake98]

Can you use a handheld grinder with a diamond wheel, or do you have to spend hundreds on a dedicated tool? Stationary grinder?

 

[whistlepig]

At work we use a sanding belt. If we are tigging stainless we make sure the belt isn't contaminated with carbon steel that would cause rust in the weld.

 

[tb525]

No, you don't need a diamond wheel or dedicated tool, use whatever you have on hand. Always try to grind with the tungsten oriented vertically to the wheel's direction of rotation.

 

[Shield Arc]

I use a dedicated wheel on a bench grinder. I never have been much of a Tig weldor but I can get by. So I don't see the need for a $300.00 tungsten grinder.
One of the best Tig weldors I've ever met, Engloid you can do a search for his name on any of the welding sites, the guy is amazing! He is of the same mind set.

 

[jake98]

I had myself in a little panic right before I posted that, "tell me I don't have to spend another $300..". After reading for about an hour on some other sites I see there's quite a few ways to grind them, that I already have. I like the diamond blade on the side of the grinder stone trick, that only takes another 1/16" of shop space. But here's another ?, do you have to worry about contamination when you're welding mild steel? or is it just on stainless, alum, etc.? (for shop repair stuff, I'm not trying to pass any tests)

 

[5030]

Bench grinder, tungsten only wheel.

There is a Pirhana at work that I can access too.

 

[toro5xi]

I just use my bench grinder with a dedicated wheel. The only thing extra I did was to purchase a fine grit wheel. The wheel was kind of pricey. I think I paid around $30.:thumbsup:

 

[J_J]

How about one of those little Dremel tools with a diamond wheel.

 

[deereman75]

I recall hearing a way where you can sharpen them with a cutting torch. I wil have to look for that page again.

 

[5030]

How about one of those little Dremel tools with a diamond wheel.

That's a bit on the small side even for 3/32 tung.

I recall hearing a way where you can sharpen them with a cutting torch. I wil have to look for that page again.

I've looked at the chemical sharpeners but a wheel is quick, easy and puts Thorium dust in the air.....lol