Tungsten grinder question

[Ram48]

Does anyone know of a tungsten grinder (hand held) for under $200)? It seems to me there would be a pretty good market for one what are everyone's thoughts?

[DaveO]

A while back there was a post showing someone's DIY fixture for holding the tungsten at the right angle for sharpening. I searched for it but didn't see it: the poster had milled an aluminum block, did a very nice job of it. There was also a post showing a dremel-powered Block Head sharpener from a seller on ebay. I did a quick ebay search got no hits.

[Tritium]

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...rode-sharpener

Thurmond

[DaveO]

Not to hijack Ram48's thread, but while I was looking around on the web on searches related to this post I saw that the thorium oxide in thoriated tungsten is radioactive, and that breathing the thorium released from the arc or breathing the dust created from grinding could pose a health risk. Enough of a health risk that the Danish Welding Institute, for instance, has recommended phasing out thoriated tungsten.

Telling this to a group of welders may be like making the big announcement that the Allies won WW II, or that we landed astronauts on the moon. Is this kind of thing discussed in TIG welding school? Is it not a big deal, or are the arc characteristics worth the risk?

[zoama]

Not to hijack Ram48's thread, but while I was looking around on the web on searches related to this post I saw that the thorium oxide in thoriated tungsten is radioactive, and that breathing the thorium released from the arc or breathing the dust created from grinding could pose a health risk. Enough of a health risk that the Danish Welding Institute, for instance, has recommended phasing out thoriated tungsten.

Telling this to a group of welders may be like making the big announcement that the Allies won WW II, or that we landed astronauts on the moon. Is this kind of thing discussed in TIG welding school? Is it not a big deal, or are the arc characteristics worth the risk?

2% lanthanated works very well for everything... no need for thoriated. I order all my tungsten from (link)> Tungsten-Direct I'm only a customer and do not work for them in any capacity.

[ogorir]

I agree with zoama on the 2%lanth, but I also think the health issues that may be present with thoriated tungsten are so minute that if you like it better, stick with it.

from wikipedia: Powdered thorium metal is pyrophoric and will often ignite spontaneously in air. Natural thorium decays very slowly compared to many other radioactive materials, and the alpha radiation emitted cannot penetrate human skin meaning owning and handling small amounts of thorium, such as a gas mantle, is considered safe. The decay of thorium does, however, create radon gas so caution should be exercised when thorium decays in closed spaces. Exposure to an aerosol of thorium can lead to increased risk of cancers of the lung, pancreas, and blood, as lungs and other internal organs can be penetrated by alpha radiation. Exposure to thorium internally leads to increased risk of liver diseases.

The element has no known biological role.

so, in short, wear a mask when grinding and you'll be fine.

[NRM]

I got this tungsten grinder a few months ago and really like it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...m=140534247162

Price was $145. He now ships them with actual dremels mine was a knockoff but still works well.