Dedicated tungsten Grinder

[crockett]

I need a proper tungsten grinder that allows me to use a few different angles.

Is this 3mirrors ALUMINUM Tungsten Electrode Sharpener for 150 bucks any good? Amazon ratings are at 4.4 Any other suggestions?

https://www.amazon.com/3mirrors-ALUM...8M3984L8/?th=1

[superwelder]

sounds expensive for just having an attachment on a cheap dremel. if you already have a dremel then maybe you can find just the attachment? cant comment on how well they work tho.

[tapwelder]

I have had a couple of the Techsouth grinders. I sold them both. Do not really care for them as handheld units.

Easy to create a dedicated grinding setup.

If I had real need for a dedicated tungsten grinder, then I would look at the stationary units and put it in a clean room. Then grind hundred before beginning welding. Otherwise, I would/use an appropriate grinding medium and attach it to something I already have.

[Willie B]

I use a Dewalt 8" bench grinder. It is turned around facing away from me & laid on its back. The stones have grooves worn in them.

[crockett]

Well, I bought the tool alone for my existing Dremel.

This must be a joke or something. I installed it, inserted a brand new tungsten, and after I was done with just ONE tip, the diamond disk was done as well. All the diamond pieces are removed where the tungsten was sharpened. I tried to sharpen another piece but there was nothing happening anymore.

On top of that, it took about 2 minutes for that one tip to be sharpened, something I can do on a cheap belt sander within 10 seconds. Also, the guides are not tight and the dust cap can barely be pushed over the tool. The manual suggest to use oil if it sticks. Yeah right. Contaminating the tungsten is exactly what we need!

Yet another clueless product made in China, that is entirely worthless. Needless to say, it goes back for a full refund.

I'll buy a bench grinder and get a proper stone.

[crockett]

I use a Dewalt 8" bench grinder. It is turned around facing away from me & laid on its back. The stones have grooves worn in them.

Would you mind posting a photo? Are there any dedicated stones for tungsten electrodes?

[tapwelder]

The techsouth did not wear out like that. If you really want a dedicated handheld unit, then they do work. It was not convenient or necessary for needs. There are folk on here who really like their handheld grinders. I use a fein belt sander.

[Weld_]

Would you mind posting a photo? Are there any dedicated stones for tungsten electrodes?

Get a Diamond wheel.

https://www.mcmaster.com/wheels/benc...ics-and-glass/

[Brett]

Cannot imagine why this exists .
Any linisher or bench grinder of any size will sharpen better , as quick and cheaper . Plus have extra utilities .
Another thing is the direction of the grinding marks .
On Stainless at least you will get a better arc with the grinding marks longitudinally.

[BluCllrPlt]

I use a stationary belt sander with the tungsten spun in a drill. Won’t pass aerospace specs but have welded multiple diesel transfer tanks in both steel and aluminum using tungstens sharpened like this.

[Munkul]

Attachment 1733315

Bench grinder with a diamond wheel on one side, and a bolt bracket with a hole in it as a tungsten guide. I've done many hundreds of hours of TIG since I cobbled this together and never wanted anything else.

[acourtjester]

I bought a Drill Doctor 750 years ago on sale and also bought a replacement grinding wheel for it to make a tungsten grinder but never did. I have a small bench grinder with a diamond wheel mounted on one side that I use. like this https://www.ebay.com/itm/31371198307...AAAOSwX3phaTy0
I mounted it under a cabinet upside down so its out of the way, works great.
https://www.drilldoctor.com/shop/par...ies/da31320gf/ drill doctor wheel

[LtBadd]

I have a small bench grinder with a diamond wheel mounted on one side that I use. like this https://www.ebay.com/itm/31371198307...AAAOSwX3phaTy0
I mounted it under a cabinet upside down so its out of the way, works great.

That is what I did, the side is for roughing at 100 grit and the 2 wheels are finer to finish off with, the wheels from McMaster Carr are $$$$,
you can find them either on Amazon or ebay for less, much less

[Sberry]

I twirl it in my fingers with a 4 1/2

[danielplace]

I prefer them chucked up in cordless drill and 1" belt sander.

I get a pack and cut them all in two and sharpen both ends. Good for a while.

Always have fresh ready so you are not so tempted to carry on with a tungsten that has got crap on it.

[Willie B]

Lieutenant Bad is similar to me, but I turn mine around, then tip it over. I want to pull contaminants away from me & off the tip. Nothing exotic needed, no diamond wheels.


I, likely disagree with experts. Something I read early on, after dipping, break the tungsten off & regrind. I never do that. I grind the shaft to clear the gunk. I prefer to grind down to clean metal, set that one aside, grind another. I'll grind first stage everything, all those needing grinding, then I do a light grind on all. I then switch to a different stone & finish.

Experts don't dip, I believe. I do. When I was starting I tried to hold a super short arc, I dipped often. I'd have spent a fortune on tungsten snapping each off & regrinding. Learning ain't cheap!

[Insaneride]

Drill and 4-1\2" grinder is the most practical way for me. Cordless drill and grinder makes it even more practical.

[albrightree]

for the amount of money the OP spent on a ?3mirrors grinder, I think the Eastwood version would have been a better choice.

Eastwood tig grinder :

I have never used the Eastwood myself, but it was one of the units I looked at before I purchased the TechSouth unit from Mcmaster : https://www.mcmaster.com/tungsten-grinders/



This has worked out very well for me.

1) It can cut off the end of the tungsten when contaminated.

2) The angle is adjustable.

3) It is easy to get repeatable results, even in the hands of helpers

4) Its dedicated, so no one will borrow to do another task, or gum it up with something filthy. (like the often happens to the belt sander, and the grinding wheel in the shops.

5) Grinds 3 dia. tungstens : 1/16", 3/32", and 1/8". Mostly use the smaller sizes, and have thought about making/buying for .040" electrodes.

Only you will know what works for you , everybody kind of finds the method that works best for them. Its kind of like a using a Drill Doctor VS. sharpening by hand . Oooops did I just open another can of worms ?

It seems that the OP is willing to spend a few dollars for some decent tools , then the 2 grinders that I've mentioned will definitely last longer than his recent purchase. Having a decently sharpened tungsten can only help when learning to weld, there are lots of other things to concentrate on when learning.

Ultimately what brought me to buy a dedicated portable sharpener was the amount of thin stainless welding I have to do in place on machinery. Thinner stainless steel needs a properly prepared point to get good results, and when welding away from the bench in weird positions, and unseen contamination, being able to re-prep point on the spot is the most efficient for me.

If most of my work was 1/8" thick carbon steel tube machine frames, and 3/16" thick diamond plate covers, I probably wouldn't have bought the grinder. Instead maybe I would have(and still might) buy a diamond wheel for the bench grinder. I just have to keep people from coming into the shop and abusing it.

[BrooklynBravest]

I bought a little thing that screws on to a dremel. Works great. Use a cordless drill to make an even spin.

[Louie1961]

I personally believe tungsten grinders are a waste of money for 99% of us. Check the tungsten up in a cordless drill and hit the belt sander, grinder, etc. The belt sander does a great job and will not contaminate the tungsten. Getting the grind angle you want is easy to do by eye.

[Munkul]

I believe that those who say "what a waste of time tungsten grinders are" have never had one themselves.

[Rondo]

I have a lower cost tungsten grinder and I enjoy the perfect angle grinds compared to the barely good enough I used to get with my angle grinder. I don't have a belt sander and the bench wheels are either too coarse or loaded with iron. As stated earlier I also like to grind up a bunch ahead of time.

[crockett]

I ended up buying a proper, US made Kalamazoo 4 x 36" belt sander. I was able to clean and grind the tungsten with this joke of a belt sander from Harbor Freight, well, at least until it broke down, so I should be good.

[andremajic]

I've gone thru 2 drill doctors and re-used the same diamond wheel. Still hasn't worn out, so my spare wheel could be used for something like this.

I bought a Drill Doctor 750 years ago on sale and also bought a replacement grinding wheel for it to make a tungsten grinder but never did. I have a small bench grinder with a diamond wheel mounted on one side that I use. like this https://www.ebay.com/itm/31371198307...AAAOSwX3phaTy0
I mounted it under a cabinet upside down so its out of the way, works great.
https://www.drilldoctor.com/shop/par...ies/da31320gf/ drill doctor wheel

[psacustomcreations]

Crockett,
I don't know if you or others on here are interested, but I have these 4x36 sanding belts I am trying to sell.
There are:
10ea Klingspor 80 grit CZ
10 ea Klingspor 80 grit AO
8 ea SAIT 120 grit AO X Wright
4 ea Norton 120 grit Bluefire AO

It is a package deal and $85 to include shipping for all.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk