Tungsten prep

[10x]

I tacked this onto a Motorsports thread and did not get an answer.

When you dip your tungsten into the puddle and have to regrind it won’t the dipped on metal contaminate the grinding wheel you are using?
Is this scenario a good reason to break off the tungsten instead of just regrinding the contaminated end?

[ridesideways]

well it depends if you're welding the frickin' space shuttle and it needs to pass xray testing, or something less critical.

when i dip the tungsten, most of the time i just keep on welding and work around the annoying change in arc shape and characteristics. then i grind off the contamination when it's convenient after i finish the weld. i don't even bother using a dedicated grinder wheel to dress my tungsten. so yes my pretty and pointy tungsten probably ends up with plenty of atoms/molecules of various contamination on it.

guess what, my welds have never failed, and the arc shape and characteristics are just fine for my needs.

[Marcel Bauer]

Some tiny contamination is likely but what else can you do?

BTW, breaking off the tungsten is a bad idea because of microscopic fractures that occur.

[diamondback]

you could use a different grinder to rough off the foreign metal before you redo the angle.

More than likely it is not a big deal.

[Laiky]

just grind it off on your non-tungsten only wheel then dress it to a point on your dedicated wheel.

[Shep]

Just to change directions slightly here- have any of you used your torch for sharpening your tungstens? You need to use your welding hood if you do it cause it is really bright. Works good though and no grinder needed- just a drill and cutting torch.

[c wagner]

Just to change directions slightly here- have any of you used your torch for sharpening your tungstens? You need to use your welding hood if you do it cause it is really bright. Works good though and no grinder needed- just a drill and cutting torch.

Hmm never tried that! I might have to give it a try, sounds interesting!!!

[fun4now]

when i dip the tung. i cut it off just after the blob, then grind it back to a point. this will usually be a 1/4" cut off. not a big loss of tung.