Question on possible tungsten dip contamination.

[Frank]

Hello

I've been practicing on tungsten gap and rod filler hand control, I touched the tungsten into the puddle a few times and noticed that the arc turned in to a bluish:green color I continued to weld and noticed some splatter and when I was done I also noticed a reddish/orange rust color around the areas of where the tungsten tuched the puddle. Now am I able to reuse the tungsten or would it be best to break of the effected piece of it ? Or regarding the end ? Also when I Reuse a filler rod is it recommended to clip the end from the pervious weld or will it be fine to add to the new puddle ?
Thanks in advance
Frank

[DaveO]

If you dip the tungsten, best practice is to swap it out for another right away. You can re-sharpen the dipped one, rather than break it off. There's a lot of discussion about how to sharpen tungstens, so if you need a primer, just let us know.

OK to re-use filler from puddle to puddle, no worries, because ideally you keep the filler rod within the envelope of shielding gas. Jody at WT&T has a video devoted to three TIG pitfalls to avoid, and keeping the filler inside the shielding gas envelope is one of them.

Sounds like you're getting after it, good on ya!

[zoama]

Don't try to break lanthanated tungsten... it will splinter lengthwise.

[Frank]

Thanks , what is a primer ?
I'm using the harbor freight diamond wheel that was recommended by welding tips and tricks,
On a drill , making sure to grind it inline with tungsten.

[zoama]

Thanks , what is a primer ?

Help getting started... like priming a pump.

[DaveO]

I'm using the harbor freight diamond wheel that was recommended by welding tips and tricks,
On a drill , making sure to grind it inline with tungsten.

Sounds like you've got it covered... you can skip to the back of the book!

[Frank]

Help getting started... like priming a pump.

Ahhhh yeah makes sense now, lol ... Nice one
Thanks for the information guys , very helpful !