Sharpening tungsten electrodes on a budget

**steveo928** · 01-20-2011, 09:33 PM

All you need to do perform this method is get an angle grinder with a designated grinding wheel on it for tungstens only, and a drill to hold and rotate your electrode.
Heres a short video of me using this method.

**tigqk** · 01-23-2011, 12:14 AM

Get some acetone and clean the other end off of the tungsten and sharpen both sides so you don't have to switch tungsten as often because you have two sides,get yourself a proper bench grinder with aluminum oxide wheels, it is safer, cheap, your method works, but you will find doing them by hand with a bench grinder is quick and you don't have two machines loose to worry about.

**SICFabrications** · 01-23-2011, 01:58 AM

i agree with tig on this one.... too much room for a royal screw up there.... besides, you can get more control from a bench grinder and get better shaping of the cone and point of the tungsten too....

**Kel Fab Creations** · 01-23-2011, 10:57 AM

ya, i would not recommend this method. you can find a bench grinder or belt sander for cheap either harbor freight or used and not have to worry bout the hand grinder getting a mind of it's own. at the very least clamp the grinder in a vise.

**minnfatz** · 01-23-2011, 10:45 PM

I use the mini bench grinder from Harbor Freight that I paid less than $25 for. It sharpens the tungstens nice and quick and it takes very little room.

**gilly** · 01-24-2011, 05:41 AM

[QUOTE=minnfatz;23407]I use the mini bench grinder from Harbor Freight that I paid less than $25 for. It sharpens the tungstens nice and quick and it takes very little room.[/QUO

This sounds like a good way to go.I think I will try the mini grinder.Takes up less space on my bench.

**Gadget** · 01-24-2011, 08:43 AM

You could even mount it on your welding cart. Less chance of it being used for other materials that way.

**WookieWelding** · 01-24-2011, 09:29 PM

I use a dedicated mini belt sander or a Dedicated Bench Grinder for Tungsten only to not contaminate the tungsten

**Kiwimike** · 02-02-2011, 10:15 PM

I have just purchased some Anchor Chem-Sharp. Just heat up the tungsten by grounding out and dip in the powder to sharpen.
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**samsberr** · 02-03-2011, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by minnfatz

I use the mini bench grinder from Harbor Freight that I paid less than $25 for. It sharpens the tungstens nice and quick and it takes very little room.

Me too.. Mine is a 3" variable speed with flexible shaft from HF...Cost less than 30.00 to my door.
The flexible shaft works well with a small stone or carbide burr in it for cleaning up small projects.
For tungsten it's small and quick...works well...