Smallest Tungsten you use?

[CGCINC]

I'm thinking about buying a box of .040 and a box of .020 juat to try them out.
I'm not so sure I would use the .020 so that's why I'm wondering what the smallest you guys have use is?

[redbeard]

I've used the 040 on the chains I built, been wanting to try the 020 just to see how small I can weld, although I don't think it would be something used on a regular basis. It does make quite a bit of difference pinpointing the arc as you step down in size.

[geezer]

I have never seen a .020 tungsten,,,are you sure about that size,,,, cause a .040 electrode has an amp range of about 5 to 30 amps,,,,using simple math,,,1/2 the dia would reduce the amps by about a factor of 4 in capacity...meaning such a small size would have a range of 1.5 to 8 amps...

[redbeard]

I have never seen a .020 tungsten,,,are you sure about that size,,,, cause a .040 electrode has an amp range of about 5 to 30 amps,,,,using simple math,,,1/2 the dia would reduce the amps by about a factor of 4 in capacity...meaning such a small size would have a range of 1.5 to 8 amps...

http://www.diamondground.com/lanthanated_blue.html They do make it, not common but available. My LWS said they could order it as well. Interesting point on the amperage, I knew it wouldn't be much but a max of 8? Wow.

[geezer]

http://www.diamondground.com/lanthanated_blue.html They do make it, not common but available. My LWS said they could order it as well. Interesting point on the amperage, I knew it wouldn't be much but a max of 8? Wow.

Amp ranges and Dia's follow the same ratio and proportion of pipe sizes ,,,double the Dia and the pipe has 4 times the capacity,,,you can check this out by looking at the chart on the bottom of page 4 in the CK manual...http://www.ckworldwide.com/tech-4.pdf

[fdcmiami]

Amp ranges and Dia's follow the same ratio and proportion of pipe sizes ,,,double the Dia and the pipe has 4 times the capacity,,,you can check this out by looking at the chart on the bottom of page 4 in the CK manual...http://www.ckworldwide.com/tech-4.pdf

there are several poster's that appear to be regular or semi-regular tig welders. i'll bet they aren't using .040 or .020. i am one of them. look at the tungsten grinders sold on ebay. if you want an .040 attachment it costs additional. recently someone posted that they do 90 percent of their welding with 3/32 tungsten. they were right on.

i use 3/32, 1/8th and on occasion 1/16th. if you have the money and want to experiment that's fine. too bad you need to buy a box because you will probably be looking at them for a long time. frankly i am amazed that so many use 1/16th tungsten but it's also true that many are just getting started welding. and this fixation with helium? what is up with that.

[geezer]

there are several poster's that appear to be regular or semi-regular tig welders. i'll bet they aren't using .040 or .020. i am one of them. look at the tungsten grinders sold on ebay. if you want an .040 attachment it costs additional. recently someone posted that they do 90 percent of their welding with 3/32 tungsten. they were right on.

i use 3/32, 1/8th and on occasion 1/16th. if you have the money and want to experiment that's fine. too bad you need to buy a box because you will probably be looking at them for a long time. frankly i am amazed that so many use 1/16th tungsten but it's also true that many are just getting started welding. and this fixation with helium? what is up with that.

Exactly,,,I have a 250 EX and the 3/32 covers just about everything a fellow needs,,,have smaller electrodes,,but only as a curiousity,,experimentation is one thing ,,doing real work in the real world is another,,,not to say we all shouldn't endulge ourselves in some hobby type expermentation to learn things..

As far as Helium goes,,,it's a way to make a smaller machine preform like a bigger machine,,,which confirms my choice of machines in my own case,,I choose the 250 EX ,,,cause it's as much power as you can get sucking juice out of a 50 amp single phase power source,,,I don't use helium,,,but it's good to know how it functions in the welding process

[CGCINC]

I have never seen a .020 tungsten,,,are you sure about that size,,,, cause a .040 electrode has an amp range of about 5 to 30 amps,,,,using simple math,,,1/2 the dia would reduce the amps by about a factor of 4 in capacity...meaning such a small size would have a range of 1.5 to 8 amps...

Here... http://weldingdirect.com/10pac0202tho.html

Sounds like the .040 is the smallest I would need then. After doing my dog statue I think 1/16th is a little big for some of the more intricate parts.

[Winky]

I'm thinking about buying a box of .040 and a box of .020 juat to try them out.
I'm not so sure I would use the .020 so that's why I'm wondering what the smallest you guys have use is?

Was just looking the pictures you posted ... nice work. I just got my 200DX and I've been laying some beads on aluminum over the last couple days (have done DCEN but AC is new to me) I was using 3/32" lanthanated on 1/8" flat at around 65 to 70 amps ... I should probably drop to 1/16" tungsten huh?