tungsten sharpener

[HOTRODWILLYS]

I am interested in purchasing a tungsten sharpener, actually an Arc Zone sharpie, I did a search and read all the posts and it seems to have allot of mixed reviews,

LIKE
1. the motor slows down considerabilty while sharpening?

2. the grinding lines are not perpendicular to the tungsten more of a swirl effect because of a small diamond grinding wheel?

I really cant justify the cost of a Piranha and others like it for the amount of welding I am doing right now, I have been grinding my tungsten on a grinding wheel and I am not happy with the quality and consicestents so please if you have a Sharpie or used one please let me know what you think of them.

Thanks Dave

[weldckr]

They are not worth the money, try using and electric drill to spin the tungsten while sharpening it on the bench grinder, also go with a fine wheel for the bench grinder.

[squig]

Cost

Those m/c are rather expensive espesially for a hobbiest,what i would do if i were you is get a diomond grinding wheel and put on a bench grinder .The proper way to sharpen them is to go in the direction of the end.I would tend to think you have other issues as far as your weld qualities,maybe tou could give us some more info on that?

[Ozz]

I use Chemsharp or a green wheel and battery drill. Low RPM on the drill to prevent any radial grind marks. Go get em

[bpstealth]

I bought the Arc-Zone tungsten sharpener and I love it. I used a regular grinder at school and the quality doesn't compare. My suggestion; If you are trying to do quality work, you need a good grinder. The mixed reviews concerning the quality of the grinder are unknown to me. You should consider that some people abuse equipment and some people are never happy.

[bvweld]

I also purchased the Sharpie from Arc Zone. Primarily bought it for mobil use. Power isn't an issue and the angular grinding marks on the tungsten doesn't seem to effect the arc. I have sharpened for years by hand but the Sharpie is convient. If you want the least expensive do it on a dedicated bench grinder. They also make holders for the tungsten to aid in hand sharpening. The Sharpie is the best bang for the buck in my opinion if you need a sharpener.

[weldckr]

[QUOTE=bpstealth]I bought the Arc-Zone tungsten sharpener and I love it. I used a regular grinder at school and the quality doesn't compare. My suggestion; If you are trying to do quality work, you need a good grinder. The mixed reviews concerning the quality of the grinder are unknown to me. You should consider that some people abuse equipment and some people are never happy.[/QUOTE
Been a professional tig welder for 25 plus years, power plants, food plants, chemical plants lots of x-ray stuff. You really dont need a tungsten grinder for hand welding they are mostly made for orbital and automated welding where tungsten geometry are very critical. as far as the arcone stuff, most of it is made for the hobbyist thats why its so cheap compared to a quality machine like a piranah, you grind em right with the correct angle and the right direction on the wheel you wont have any radial lines, and as you become a better welder you wont have to sharpen the as often.