Tungsten Selection

[viper450f]

Hey guys,
I have been doing some practicing on my tig welding here lately and have been reading up on some different subjects about tungsten selection. As of right now, I am using either 1/16 or 3/32" 2% thoriated for welding both chromoly and 6061 aluminum. I have heard that the 2% thori could contaminate the aluminum and I should use pure tungsten, but have also read to use ceriated for both. I haven't really had a problem with my welding except the lack of experience, but was wondering if a different tungsten would help me out and possibly other things as well. Just wanted to get your opinions on that subject of what's best to use.

Thanks,
Jeff

[fun4now]

i use lanthanated 2% on every thing. its designed for inverter but more and more its becoming the norm for transformers as well. its great arc starts and restarts, keeps its point great. i try-ed several types and found 2% lanthanated to be the best option all around. i use an inverter and have been very pleased with the results.
admittedly i am still new to TIG ( about 1-&1/2 years now) but can tell the difference in the performance.

for best opinions it would help to tell us what welder you use (transformer or inverter) so you can get first hand opinions from those that use your type.:)

[Laiky]

I use 1.5% or 2% lanthanated on my Dynasty and on the sync 250 i use at a TIG class. I have tried Thoriated and Pure but i much prefer the lanth for everything.

[viper450f]

Yea, sorry about that guys. I use a Lincoln Precision Tig 225 for my machine. I know, it's not a Miller, but it gets the job done well.

[griff01]

Hey guys,
I have been doing some practicing on my tig welding here lately and have been reading up on some different subjects about tungsten selection. As of right now, I am using either 1/16 or 3/32" 2% thoriated for welding both chromoly and 6061 aluminum. I have heard that the 2% thori could contaminate the aluminum and I should use pure tungsten, but have also read to use ceriated for both. I haven't really had a problem with my welding except the lack of experience, but was wondering if a different tungsten would help me out and possibly other things as well. Just wanted to get your opinions on that subject of what's best to use.

Thanks,
Jeff

I have tried most types of tungstens and have settled on lanthanated for mild steel, stainless and aluminum. Ceriated works almost as well as lanthanated. Since settling on lanthanated, I have given away all of my thoriated.

Griff
Syncrowave 350 LX

[fun4now]

Yea, sorry about that guys. I use a Lincoln Precision Tig 225 for my machine
well there ya go, its not the tungsten thats the problem its the welder.you could try painting it blue, that might help a little.:p

LOL. just kidding, i'm shore its a great welder. i have a TA-185, again not blue but gets the job done.
give lanthanated a try. the 1.5% and 2% are very similar in arc characteristics but the 2% holds up to heat a better keeping its point at higher amps. both are excellent choices.
good luck and let us know how you like the lanthanated.

not all LWS cary lanthanated so you may need to order or go an line to get it..
diamond ground is a top company in tungsten, they will send you a sample if you contact them directly or you can order from there e-bay page. i believe this is them on e-bay (unless i have the wrong link:o) if its not i'm shore some one will chime in and get it right.:)
http://stores.ebay.com/Tungsten-Direct_Lanthanted-2_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ6QQftidZ2QQtZkm

enjoy

[viper450f]

It is a very good welder. The only reason I got it over a Miller is because of the deal I got on it new. My buddy had a Miller and it was pretty nice as well. I am not one of those "im all ford and the heck with Chevy" type people. I believe both companies make good products. I guess I could paint it blue though to add a little flavor, ha.

What has led you guys away from Thoriated to Lanthanated tungstens? What differences can you tell between the 2? I am going to go ahead and get some new tungsten and check it out for myself, but was just curious to what you guys liked better about it. Like I said, I mostly weld 4130 Chromoly and 6061 Aluminum anywhere from .45 to .120 in thickness.

Thanks for the replies,
Jeff

[fun4now]

Thoriated is the only one i did not try, due to its radioactivity. many say its not a big deal if proper precautions are taken, but i feel better not using it.the biggest difference for me was the shape the tungsten was in after use. AC is hard on tungsten and the 2% lanthanated is the only one i could sharpen, weld with and then see no difference in the point be for or after use. it also flows the current better allowing for less amps to do the same job as the thoriated. (according to diamond grounds tungsten guide book).

its ability to work as well on AC as DC also allows me to only have to stock one type of tungsten for all my work. not only is that essayer but allows me to sharpen both ends of my tungsten without worry of loosing the color band that indicates the type.

all in all i am very happy with the arc the lanthanated gives me. excellent restarts as well as a good stable arc during welds.

[HMW]

Just recently started using Lanthanated with a transformer machine, for both steel and alum, and I really like it.:)

[Laiky]

I found that the arc started easier and stabilized quicker on the sync 250 with lanthanated. The thoriated i used was very erratic at first. Compared to pure, the tip lasts MUCH longer doesn't fall to one side, and the arc is focused and more pointed when doing alluminum. It's also much easier to keep just one type, i split them and sharpen all to a point. When i do alluminum i just grind a flat on the point. I have heard that ceriated gives even better starts on low amp aluminum, but isn't as durable when the amps get turned up. I'm planing on trying it when i get a chance.

[fun4now]

I have heard that ceriated gives even better starts on low amp aluminum, but isn't as durable when the amps get turned up. I'm planing on trying it when i get a chance.
i know a lot of people use cerated for AC & DC but it was designed as a DC only tungsten. one of the first replacements for thorated. its said to be a short term use tungsten due to its high oxide depletion rates. it has a tendency to split when used on AC. many have had this happen and still use it with AC any way. to each his own. to a certain extent it a personal preference thing when choosing a tungsten. people use what suits them best be it out of habit or feel for the tungstens arc.
i have tried 2% cerated myself and see no advantage over lanthanated and it definitely dose not hold its point as well as the 2% lanthanated dose.

by all means try the ones you feel my suit your needs and use what you feel most comfortable with. cerated is a very popular tungsten choice, i just prefer the 2% lanthanated for holding its point and longer life before needing to be resharpened due to lose of oxides.

good luck with your choices and be shore to let us know what you end up with and how you like it.:)