Chemical Tungsten Sharpening

[anthonymaietta]

Have any of you used this?

http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/CS.html

[Archibald]

Have any of you used this?

http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/CS.html

A diamond wheel and a cordless drill is forever.

[anthonymaietta]

Point taken. I still use a diamond wheel, but I guess my question was more out of a circus act curiosity perspective..."are you serious...does that really work?"

[Carl S]

Have any of you used this?

http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/CS.html

I've never heard of it or used it but seems like for the price it would be worth trying.

[EnginCycles]

I've never heard of it or used it but seems like for the price it would be worth trying.

I have used it. It sucks. Nothing better than a diamond wheel on a bench grinder and a scotch brite wheel on the other side (IMO). I have friends that are blacksmiths and other more rough and tough guys that just use the belt sander. I can not get use to that crappy point.

-Drew

[Carl S]

I have used it. It sucks. Nothing better than a diamond wheel on a bench grinder and a scotch brite wheel on the other side (IMO). I have friends that are blacksmiths and other more rough and tough guys that just use the belt sander. I can not get use to that crappy point.

-Drew

I'm not that picky myself. I'm one of those guys that uses a belt sander. How did the point look when you used chemical sharpener? What type of tungsten do you use?

[anthonymaietta]

Judging from the 1/4" of dust caked on top of the last jar at the local weld shop last night I don't think it a heavy mover. Seems like its solving a problem that doesn't exist.

[EnginCycles]

I'm not that picky myself. I'm one of those guys that uses a belt sander. How did the point look when you used chemical sharpener? What type of tungsten do you use?

2% thoriated in 1/16". The chemical kind of ate the tungsten. I think it is more for people that use super fat tungsten. It is a pain in the ass also. The tungsten needs to be red and glowing when you dip it in the chemical. Like I said it sucks. The only advantage if I could see one is you can sharpen it when at the welding station. But that would only be if it did not suck.

I can get a OK point on the belt sander but I really notice a difference in that point after I buff it on the de-burring wheel. I also prefer a sharp point and not the slightly flattened head like Miller says you should use.

-Drew

[Carl S]

The tungsten needs to be red and glowing when you dip it in the chemical.
-Drew

If that's the case I don't see any advantage.

Have you ever tried ceriated tungsten. I just bought a box and it seems to work really well. Great starts and good stabitliy if it's clean. Seems to get more "jump" when it's dirty though.

[Tyler Evans]

I've been using 1/16" ceriated tungsten on bikes for about 14 years now. Switched over from thoriated because I figured any time you can get away from radioactivity (even a slight bit) you might as well. It works great for all of the metals I weld, you've just gotta keep it clean... but that really goes without saying. I also sharpen to a super pointy tip (about 30 degrees or so). That chemical stuff sounds like a joke but I would try it once just for the experience.

[Archibald]

IMHO, ceriated is the only way to go these days for steel/ti. I use a fine grit, side face, diamond wheel and sharpen at the outer rim with the drill motor 90-degrees to the wheel and feather the trigger to keep revs low. Keeps the grinding lines on the sharpened tip straight and parallel with the shank. I always blunt the end of the tungsten per code. The reason you blunt the end is because with a sharp point the tungsten tip will overheat as the point can't carry the amperage and you get tungsten contamination in the weld. Tungsten contamination = crack.

I quit using a convolute wheel to finish because I noticed it's too easy to get smearing and that causes flares & arc wander. I also use a thicker tungsten (3/32") than a lot of guys for the amps we run. 1/16" tungsten just runs too hot for me & my welding style & hot tungsten = tungsten contamination = cracks. The downside to 3/32 is that you'll get arc wander if you pussyfoot it & dilly-dally around.

[WadePatton]

fantastic! finally something i can unnerstand--no pussyfooting or dillydally-ing around. (goes back to three-phase notebook)

IMHO,<snippers>The downside to 3/32 is that you'll get arc wander if you pussyfoot it & dilly-dally around.

[e.Gellie]

I started out with a linisher belt, tried a diamond-stone wheel thinking it would be better but threw it away once everything nearby became coated in a layer of green grit. Went back to the linisher belt, an Aussie Multitool. It's a real beauty!
http://www.ausmultitool.com/

[Archibald]

I started out with a linisher belt, tried a diamond-stone wheel thinking it would be better but threw it away once everything nearby became coated in a layer of green grit. Went back to the linisher belt, an Aussie Multitool. It's a real beauty!
http://www.ausmultitool.com/

I have one of those! Fantastic upgrade to a bench grinder. Are you using an actual stone, Ewen? The diamond wheels I use (of course I'm only on my second one in 10 years) are electroplated and have a steel backing. The only dust you should be getting is from the tungsten itself.

Here's a link to wheels similar to what I use: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...PARTPG=INLMK32

Here's a pic:

[zank]

if you buy it before November 30, use promo code PERCNV to save 10%.

[EnginCycles]

Here is what I use. No extra dust. Nice big area for grinding. I also have a pair of Felco C7's at the grinder for knocking off the tip if it is contaminated.



link for purchasing info:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/GSDRVS...00000116014530

[e.Gellie]

.....Are you using an actual stone, Ewen? The diamond wheels I use (of course I'm only on my second one in 10 years) are electroplated and have a steel backing. The only dust you should be getting is from the tungsten itself......[/IMG]

Here is what I use. No extra dust. Nice big area for grinding. I also have a pair of Felco C7's at the grinder for knocking off the tip if it is contaminated.

thanks Archibald and Drew....I wasn't aware of those, they look the goods! .....