Acceptable brands of Tungsten

[GlenC]

I need to stock up on some 2% Lanthanated tungsten and not sure what brand to go with... I see:

1. WeldCraft
2. Diamond Ground
3. CK Worldwide
4. Anchor
5. HTP America
6. ebay from China

[GlenC]

Well, after talking to Diamond Ground, virtually all of the tungsten is China. Apparently there are 8+ manufacturers in China, of which only 2 are capable of tight quality standards. DGP tests their tungsten and that is their only product! Since the seem to have the procedures and quality control to ensure their product is actually 2% Lanthanated, I think I'll go with their product. I may never be able to see any difference, but it will remove a potential variable.

[crabber]

[QUOTE=GlenC;323421]Well, after talking to Diamond Ground, virtually all of the tungsten is China. Apparently there are 8+ manufacturers in China, of which only 2 are capable of tight quality standards. DGP tests their tungsten and that is their only product! Since the seem to have the procedures and quality control to ensure their product is actually 2% Lanthanated, I think I'll go with their product. I may never be able to see any difference, but it will remove a potential variable

Slightly off topic, but very interesting. Maybe we all should buy LOTS of tungsten before it gets jacked up like helium!

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28263683

[voodoo504]

Tri-Mix Brand. Made in Germany. Its the best there is, nothing can compare to it. I tig weld aluminun and stainless steel 3500 hours a year with it and it awesome. Arc-Zone.com

[GlenC]

Tri-Mix Brand. Made in Germany. Its the best there is, nothing can compare to it. I tig weld aluminun and stainless steel 3500 hours a year with it and it awesome. Arc-Zone.com

I would agree that the Tri-Mix or the Wolfram 2% Lanthanated is the way to go for quality. Since they only come in 10pk, I just need to justify the additional cost over the DGP 2% Lanthanated.... TriMix +$40 (.040, 1/16 & 3/32) or Wolfram 2% Lanthanated +$100

[griff01]

Tri-Mix Brand. Made in Germany. Its the best there is, nothing can compare to it. I tig weld aluminun and stainless steel 3500 hours a year with it and it awesome. Arc-Zone.com

3500 hours a year? That would be 291 12hr days or 437 8hr days. In a year?
When do you go to the bathroom?

Griff

[GlenC]

3500 hours a year? That would be 291 12hr days or 437 8hr days. In a year?
When do you go to the bathroom?

Griff

Yea! a normal work year is 2080 hours... this could be like "I caught a fish THIS big ...." Maybe the shop does 3500 hours a year.... with 3 welders

[H80N]

FWIW...I have used just about all the brands ... and never had a "bad tungsten" issue...

May be that I have just been lucky... or that it is pretty much a non-issue..??.