DC Electrode Preparation

Electrodes should be ground using the face of a fine stone, keeping the grinding in line with the length of the electrode, this helps to stablise and focus the arc. its safer to grind so that the electrode is pointing in the same direction as the rotation of the wheel, although it can be a little awkward to hold and difficult to see the tip.

Alternatively grind towards the tip, but use a pin vice to hold the electrode, another method is to use a cordless drill to spin the electrode while grinding.

Finished preparation of tungsten electrodes for DC TIG welding, one has been lightly polished with a fine emery paper, this can help with arc stability at low amps on thin material.