Sharpening Tungsten

[tonylumps]

Will a CBN wheel be okay for Tungsten. Witch I already have and could scrub it with soap and water to clean the steel out. Or just get a dedicated Diamond wheel.I have cleaned the CBN wheels before. I sharpen Wood lathe tools that are high speed steel and once in a while I clog it up with carbon chisels.I have a spare that I could use just for The Tungsten.It will save a few bucks if I do not have to by a Diamond wheel.Thanks Tony

[Jawslandshark]

Spend the money and get a diamond wheel if you plan to do much tig welding. You can grind with anything but the diamond wheel is going to be the best for tungsten.

[motolife313]

I think sand paper is cheap and quick

[johnrbauer]

I think sand paper is cheap and quick

What great sand paper.
JOHN

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[Kelvin]

A lot of times, I just use the angle grinder. Works fine. Don't inhale, eat, or inject the dust.

[Louie1961]

I only grind my tungstens on a a belt sander. 100 grit and it is not dedicated. I chuck them up in a drill and slowly rotate them while grinding. They work fine. You really don't need a diamond wheel or dedicated anything.

[motolife313]

Louie a beat up old flap wheel that was used on random stuff can make it difficult to get a nice sharp point on the end of the tungsten. And a good point is important for DC welding. I use flap wheel so maybe it’s different on a belt sander

[acourtjester]

I bought one of these and mounted it next to a standard wheel (both on at the same time) on a cheap bench grinder to sharpen tungsten. It gives a very smooth finish.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fly-Shop-6-...cAAOSwvzRX167-

[LtBadd]

Will a CBN wheel be okay for Tungsten.

Yes, I wanted to outfit my 6" bench grinder, but it seems these are mostly 8" wheels, very limited selection of grits for 6", if you have a source let me know

[Louie1961]

Moto, I can easily get a needle sharp point on the belt sander. Much more stable and controllable than a flap wheel. The belt sander is a cheap bench top model.

[TimmyTIG]

Are you welding on the Space Station? Maybe building a nuke plant in your back yard?

[motolife313]

Moto, I can easily get a needle sharp point on the belt sander. Much more stable and controllable than a flap wheel. The belt sander is a cheap bench top model.

My buddy does the same thing as u with his belt sander. I just don’t have one yet

[shovelon]

Moto, I can easily get a needle sharp point on the belt sander. Much more stable and controllable than a flap wheel. The belt sander is a cheap bench top model.

Belt sander is what I use. Wood, rubber, steel, alum, who cares, the belt sheds it off before I grind a needle sharp point on my tungsten.

[p4nh4ndle]

Bench grinder with a green wheel is standard practice in our local, unless you're doing power plant work. You can do 99% as good a job as with a diamond wheel... no drills required.


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[rustybronco]

E.A.A fly-in 2012. Lincoln booth. Tungsten was sharpened by hand on a bench grinder. Tig'd Aluminum with it.

Good enough for the Mfg, good enough for me - although I did spin mine with a cordless drill.

[John T]

I bought a Tech-south tungsten grinder... LOVE IT.

I get the same exact angle and point everytime.

It wasn't cheap, but to me it's no different than buying any other tool for the shop.


It works and it works well.

to each his/her own.

.

[motolife313]

Yep that’s overkill right there.

[johnrbauer]

I've heard you can sharpen it with a torch is this right.

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[motolife313]

U can do anything you put your mind to

[BD1]

I use a harbor freight circular saw blade sharpening wheel, 4'' diameter. $10 regular and you can use a 20% off coupon . I just place it up against bench grinder 6'' wheel.

https://www.harborfreight.com/replac...ner-98862.html

Or you can buy the complete setup. https://www.harborfreight.com/120-vo...ner-96687.html

[p4nh4ndle]

I've heard you can sharpen it with a torch is this right.

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There's a product called ChemSharp, I believe. Supposedly smells nasty, but works. Nobody uses it if they don't have to as far as I know.

Otherwise, no, putting a torch to a tungsten will just make it oxidize and burn off, same as running it against an abrasive until it gets red-hot.


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[Partsguy57]

I bought a Tech-south tungsten grinder... LOVE IT.

I get the same exact angle and point everytime.

It wasn't cheap, but to me it's no different than buying any other tool for the shop.


It works and it works well.

to each his/her own.

.

Times 2. I have one and I like it...

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[Showdog75]

There's a product called ChemSharp, I believe. Supposedly smells nasty, but works. Nobody uses it if they don't have to as far as I know.

Otherwise, no, putting a torch to a tungsten will just make it oxidize and burn off, same as running it against an abrasive until it gets red-hot.


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You can sharpen tungsten with a torch, I've done it and used it my fair share. Not the ideal way to sharpen it but when your in a boiler and you've got a torch handy it'll work in a pinch. I've passed x-ray welds doing it. Sharpening tungsten is a much over hyped task on this forum. It's not so much how you sharpen it but to get it like you want it. I work in nukes and all varieties of power plants and this isn't rocket science. I've run automatic orbitals for years and on those it does make a difference and the focus is consistency. For that a diamond wheel is king period. Who cares how you sharpen your stuff just do it and get back to welding children.

[tonylumps]

Why do you ask that question.I will use the tig to incorporate it into my other lathe work I have 4 CBN wheels I do a lot of High speed tool sharpening for my wood lathe. When turning Acrylic you are at the wheel every 3 or 4 Min. or risk blowing the piece off of the lathe.I have a CBN wheel I could dedicate just for that. Now they say I do not need a dedicated sharpening system.I am confused now.

[motolife313]

Welcome to the forum partsguy