A Quick & Easy Way To Sharpen Your Tig Electrodes Using A Proxxon Micromot 60 Grinder

A post which might be of some use to Tig enthusiasts...............

1. Manufacture a small quick release bracket for your Proxxon grinder
2. Manufacture a mandrel with a larger flange from an 8.8 grade standard coach bolt
3. Purchase a 40mm diamond disc
4. Sharpen your tig electrodes quickly and easily
5. For best results grind towards the top of the diamond disc so that grinding is inline with the tig electrode length
6. And Lastly - STOP talking about it and just go and do it!

Once you have tried this method I doubt you will ever go back to using a standard bench grinder.


Disclaimer: This is not engineering advice so do not UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES follow what I do or say

Any attempt to ignore this warning can result in severe physical or psychological damage!

Edited By Richard Kent 1 on 03/06/2022 20:38:20

Make sure they are modern electrodes, not the old thiorated ones, as the dust will be radioactive.

That's the only sensible part of the original post.

Andrew

@Andrew Johnston - I've heard worse from better  

Edited By Richard Kent 1 on 03/06/2022 21:39:48

No discount code for wheels and electrodes as per your grinding wheel posts?

@Baz - He (moderator) has a rule book and a big stick if you do that 

Besides, I don't want anyone getting their knickers in a twist!

Edited By Richard Kent 1 on 03/06/2022 22:39:58

Big advantage is that you don't end up with a wheel on the bench grinder that's got grooves all over it.

Waayyy to sharp for anything more than 10amps....

You're right Mark. I used a bench grinder for years and that was exactly what happened.

When using these small diamond discs ensure you set your mini-grinder speed to 20,000 rpm or above as it tends to grind more efficiently.

My Proxxon has variable speed control and I have experimented with different speeds.

Disclaimer: This is not engineering advice so do not UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES follow what I do or say

Any attempt to ignore this warning can result in severe physical or psychological damage!

Edited By Richard Kent 1 on 04/06/2022 10:30:23

Are those 40mm discs rated for 20,000 rpm?

Joseph Noci 1 - Try sharpening at different angles and see what works best for you.

Perhaps post the results here for discussion?

I use this tip angle for welding up to 160A with a water cooled setup and the results are excellent.

If you are using a non-water cooled setup then the electrode, collet and collet holder will suffer heat degradation issues.

My overriding advice is to try different options and see what works best for you.

Disclaimer: This is not engineering advice so do not UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES follow what I do or say

Any attempt to ignore this warning can result in severe physical or psychological damage!

Edited By Richard Kent 1 on 04/06/2022 10:24:21

Hopper - See disclaimer below and I recommend you do your own research................

Just checked a few internet sources and generally speaking these smaller discs are rated to 30,000 rpm but please check before you buy.

Whatever you do ensure you wear appropriate PPE.

I use Bolle Pilot Goggles.


 

Disclaimer: This is not engineering advice so do not UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES follow what I do or say

Any attempt to ignore this warning can result in severe physical or psychological damage!

Edited By Richard Kent 1 on 04/06/2022 10:55:12

Bolle goggles and diamond wheels. Swish crowd here tonight.

Edited By Hopper on 04/06/2022 12:47:29

Proxxon Mini Grinder too! Only the best here!

Don't even talk to me if you own a Dremel!  

Edited By Richard Kent 1 on 04/06/2022 13:09:05

I use my Lidl 'Parkside' tool in preference to my dremel. Half the price and twice the quality!

I'll have to get The Moderator in on this one!

This kind of talk must surely be banned!!

Actually, you could have a good point! 

Disclaimer: This is not engineering advice so do not UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES follow what I do or say

Any attempt to ignore this warning can result in severe physical or psychological damage!

Edited By Richard Kent 1 on 04/06/2022 13:58:37

I was looking for a tungsten electrode grinder and came across what I though was a very neat one on Thingiverse.com. This one that can be printed out with a 3D printer. If you search for Tungsten Grinder/Sharpener with Dust Collection (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4937583). This device is used with a Dremel or similar with a threaded nose. In my case I use a Milwaukee M12 Die Grinder, but it also fits my Dremel. Pictures below show the one I printed out. There is a video attached to the Thingiverse page showing the device being made and in use).

It works very well and can be connected to a vacuum. The only thing needed to purchase are the 25mm diamond wheels and some brass grub screws for the tungsten guides. As designed the device can grind 60, 45,30 and 15 degree angles and can also be used to trim the miss-shaped ended of electrodes.  No more grooves in your grinding wheels.

Colin

Edited By Colin Heseltine on 04/06/2022 16:11:20

Colin Heseltine - That looks great

I was going to purchase something similar on ebay made from solid aluminium but I wanted something with a larger 40mm disc due to the extra lifespan better m/s rating. I also had some 40mm discs in stock.

I also wanted a setup which would allow me to grind other things if every necessary.

Therefore the simplest solution for me was to manufacture a mandrel with a larger 'back plate' to prevent the disc from flexing too much during operation.

I also managed to source a suitable box from ebay to store everything.

The Proxxon 60 is extremely quiet during operation compared to my Dremel which is why I wanted to use it. It also has a surprising level of torque due to having a DC motor.

But once again, your device looks great
 

Disclaimer: This is not engineering advice so do not UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES follow what I do or say

Any attempt to ignore this warning can result in severe physical or psychological damage!

Edited By Richard Kent 1 on 04/06/2022 16:45:58