Sharpie Update

[Sundown]

Joe,

I agree that it can be done very well with a bench grinder. Definately not rocket science.

I happen to like the small dedicated grinder that I keep right by my welding table. For some reason I am just too lazy to want to get up and go to my bench grinder it's in another room) and I don't mind spending the money on the Sharpie. I sharpen as needed at home and for the welding lab I take 12 presharpened tungstens so that I can swap them out as needed (the grinder is in a backroom and I don't want to waste welding time walking to sharpen tungsten).

It's all a matter of personal preference. If you can get the tungsten ground so that it works, the method or grinder type really doesn't matter.

I havn't used my HF Mini grinder (in fact it now belongs to my 9 year old) since I got the Sharpie, but like you say it really matters to each person what they want to do, it's their time and money after all.

[Sundown]

I TIG almost everyday. I use a cheap bench grinder. This isnt rocket science, grind to a point and weld. There is no way I would spend that kind of money on a tungsten grinder. Here is the grinder I have been using lately:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43533

I have been using that same grinder for over a year now, works good.

[classj]

I just picked up a craftsman 40 buck 6" grinder for the garage. I labled the fine wheel it came with for tung only and left the coarse wheel for other uses whe I dont feel like walking back to the grinder in the workshop. It worked out well and for the money seems like a decent unit for the little use it will see.

[Bob Sigmon]

Joe,

I agree that it can be done very well with a bench grinder. Definately not rocket science.

I happen to like the small dedicated grinder that I keep right by my welding table. For some reason I am just too lazy to want to get up and go to my bench grinder it's in another room) and I don't mind spending the money on the Sharpie. I sharpen as needed at home and for the welding lab I take 12 presharpened tungstens so that I can swap them out as needed (the grinder is in a backroom and I don't want to waste welding time walking to sharpen tungsten).

It's all a matter of personal preference. If you can get the tungsten ground so that it works, the method or grinder type really doesn't matter.

[joebass]

I TIG almost everyday. I use a cheap bench grinder. This isnt rocket science, grind to a point and weld. There is no way I would spend that kind of money on a tungsten grinder. Here is the grinder I have been using lately:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43533

[fun4now]

Arc-zone

most of your options can be found here;

http://www.arc-zone.com/catalog/web_...=6892375_53099

there are other places to get all the above and prices will probly verry from place to place. i just had this link handy and having done buisnes with them in the past i feel good about recomending them.

happy hunting

[fun4now]

endless debate

this is one of theous things you never get a 100% agreement on. some just love bench grinding some hate it. some will think any tip not done in a special tung. grinder will just never do.

a bench grinder will get you a good use able tip and with time and practice it will do it fairly quickly.

a sharpie will get you a good usable tip prity quick and verry acuratly. and i am shoure will take a lil practice to get the hang of.

a piranha 3 will get you a supper tip realy quick and verry accuratly.

pre-ground tung. are also an option , but you might want to have a way to do it your self should you need to as you have to wait for more to arive in the mail. if just starting you could order some pregrounds so you have an ideal what a properly ground Tung. should look like . a referance so to speek.

a dedicated bench grinder = about $75-$100

sharpie = $229.00-$379.00 depending on modle/ accesorys
http://www.arc-zone.com/catalog/web_...=6892375_53099

piranha 3 =$1,249.00
http://www.arc-zone.com/catalog/web_...=6892375_53099

pre-ground tung = $.75-$5.00 depending on size, grind, tung. type, shape, and speed needed.

it realy come down to a personal preferance, for most peoples work type a perfect tip is realy not that important, a good tip yes, but perfect not realy. all we can do isgive you the options and you have to find the one that best fits your need's. good luch and enjoy

[ChiTownHustler]

A dedicated bench grinder will do more than most of you will ever need. spend that extra money on something else.

You don't think this is worth is for a newbie that might not have the experience to grind tungsten on a bench grinder. Also what wheel do you have to use on a bench grinder??

[Sundown]

aaaaaaaaaa for $200.00 not shoure i would expect perfect, but the right direction would be within reason .

$290 for the adjustable one with the optional .040 collett, but who's counting

[Sundown]

i'm confused, what rotates the tugsten in the sharpie? i thought it was the user? how fast does it have to rotate to cause a swirl?

You rotate the tungsten in the grinder, the problem (if it even is a problem, is that the diamond wheel is very small) the larger, more expensive grinders the diamond wheels are many times larger. I have tried different rotating speeds, dosn't seem to matter.

[joebass]

A dedicated bench grinder will do more than most of you will ever need. spend that extra money on something else.

[Laiky]

i'm confused, what rotates the tugsten in the sharpie? i thought it was the user? how fast does it have to rotate to cause a swirl?

[fun4now]

aaaaaaaaaa for $200.00 not shoure i would expect perfect, but the right direction would be within reason .

[tigman250]

does seem kind of strange though, you buy a special grinder MADE for tung. you think it would grind it perfect.

[Sundown]

George,
do you notice any difference in you arc between the different grinders?
I know you have a Thermal and they are not quite a finicky as better known
units but it would be interesting all the same.

Scott,

I did not notice any difference using the Thermal Arc and AC, might be why I'm not real worried about the return time being up (7 days), I havn't been doing DC since I got it. When I get some time I will do the same test with the STH and see if I can see any difference.

King,

The slope of the swirl was very fast, I think it went around the taper less than one time. BTW, for those who think I am compaining, I am not, just questioning.....The quality is very good and it works the way it was designed as far as I can tell.