Tungsten sizes

[weldgauge]

in an ideal world we would use a tungsten size most appropriate to the amps we are running... personally i make do with a 2.4 most of the time, just grind a longer taper for lower amps, saves changing over the collet and gas lens.

 

[mm289]

I like to use 1mm lathanated on sheet metal panels but also quite often use 1.6mm if its already in the torch

Are you using 1% or 1.5% Lanthanated? Not that I could probably tell the difference but if i'm gonna buy then may as well buy the best

Cheers,

 

[Richard.]

Each to there own. I've used them and they are ok but I tend to keep things as simple as possible. If I don't benefit from changing rigs I'll not bother. A well prepped 1.6 tungsten will happily focus 5 amps from my unit. It's the same with cups. People like to swap em about thinking there is a need but unless I physically can't get it in the no 7 stays on my torch for pretty much anything.

 

[Richard.]

Are you using 1% or 1.5% Lanthanated? Not that I could probably tell the difference but if i'm gonna buy then may as well buy the best

Cheers,

2% (blue) is my personal choice.

 

[langy]

Are you using 1% or 1.5% Lanthanated? Not that I could probably tell the difference but if i'm gonna buy then may as well buy the best

Cheers,

Blue bud

 

[Richard.]

A 1mm is perfectly fine I've just never seen the real benefits over a 1.6 carrying a good prep as they all should. Below is a typical prep I'd use for that sort of gage on a 1.6. At 7 amps it was spot on as you can see from the joint stability wasn't an issue. Correct prep is waaaaay more important than size .

 

[Brad93]

Some are better but everyone has there own preferences. Ceriated are not particularly good IMO. Lanthanated are as good as any. Thoriated are a good DC electrode too.

If you get lanthanated try and get 2% lanth or hybrid electrodes like HFT Multistrike. 1.5% lanth in 1.6mm definitely doesn't hold a poidnt particularly at higher amperages that would be fine with thoriated.

 

[mm289]

ok, so where are you guys getting 2% Lanth from, struggling to find online via normal suppliers?

Cheers.

 

[Richard.]

I don't really use them much now. I switched onto these 6 month ago
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&s...s_HqROOInAJf8mpTg&sig2=YKPenpZynZzGhmdY7J2-Hg
The thing is are you going to benefit from the subtle differences offered in various tungsten types. If your starting out there is no point going out buying the best ones you can afford only to be turning them into dust on a wheel every touch down. Your better off just ordering a cheap box of red tips and worry about practicing because while your learning it's not gonna make any odds which ones your using. I select a tungsten based on re striking ability, AC balling, current carrying, arc stability, etc. No flavour is gonna help you out with a touch down or rod introduction. My advice is don't worry about it too much.

 

[mm289]

Fair point and noted

MM

 

[langy]

ok, so where are you guys getting 2% Lanth from, struggling to find online via normal suppliers?

Cheers.

You must be searching with the wrong keyword as there are loads out there !!!
Try blue lathanated tungsten 2%

 

[Spuddevans]

ok, so where are you guys getting 2% Lanth from, struggling to find online via normal suppliers?

Cheers.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151693038356 and select Blue from the dropdown menu.

I've had a pack of 1.6mm and have a pack of 2.4mm on their way. Had the 1.6mm ones up to 125Amp DC without a problem.

Tim

 

[Richard.]

According to the charts that you can view and read the 1.6 is good for 150 amps but it also specifies its lower end been around the 40-50 amp mark. I disagree with that. My policy is to keep things as simple as possible. I don't even buy 1.6 lenses any more as there is no point when the collet holds it nice and straight in a 2.4 lens so I just change collets over and use 2.4 lenses for everything.
I use one flavour of tungsten in 2 sizes (1.6 from 5-120/2.4 for above.
A no 7 cup covers all my ms, ally and stainless.
I keep various other bits as there are occasions where my set up won't work well but 90% of the time it's the same rig every time. If I can't see or can't get it in then yes I'll shorten the cap or use a Pyrex cup, some people will address a difficult to get to joint with a flexloc type torch etc.
Particularly for learning you don't want to get bogged down with the endless solutions that can be attached to a tig torch. Everyone has preferences and while learning you'll pick your own ones up to.