I have tried out a couple different colors for welding primarily stainless, and some mild steel, and have found that gold seems to work the best for me. The arc seems to be very stable, and the end stays sharp for a very long time. On the other hand my reds don't seem to hold up as well. The arc is stable, but the end will eventually melt a little and I have to resharpen them. This is a 1/16" tungsten and amps around 110.

Bryson

 

i use red for ss and ms. green for aluminum. 1/16" is probably too small for that high of amperage. try using 3/32".

 

I use red 2% thoriated, works great.

 

red

 

i use ceriated for aluminum. far better IMO than pure (green) because you sharpen it similar to that of 2% thoriated for stainless so the result is far better arc stabilization and heat control. and the end doesnt ball up

 

Miller recommends Ceriated or Lanthanathed for the Inverters.

 

I use 2% for everything.And when I'm welding thin alum. i just sharpen it.You just can't use to much heat or you'll blow the tungsten off the end.

 

agreed, 2% for everything from stainless to aluminum.

 

Thanks for the replys guys!

Well, I've tried a little more with the tungstens, and it does seem like the Reds have worked out the best. The reason the ends were melting was because I was holding the end too close to the puddle. Now I'm getting great colors in my stainless...

 

You want to get the tungsten as close as you can to the puddle ,Without touching it.What happens 90% of the time .Is that you can't see the puddle close enough.Don't be afraid to get magnifiers.Try a 150 first and go from there.I will bet money you will be amazed.You don't have to need glass's to have one in your hood.It just makes everything bigger and allot easier to weld.

 

im getting a mag next week! I hope it will save my neck...literally!

 

I use the red tungstens too for pretty much everything, 2% 3/32.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RMF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I use 2% for everything.And when I'm welding thin alum. i just sharpen it.You just can't use to much heat or you'll blow the tungsten off the end.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What's the benefit of sharpening the tungsten when welding aluminum? Would it not just ball up on the tip?

 

Yeah ,It just ***** up real small on the end.And makes it a ton easier to weld.

 

red tungsten is the best for all jobs

 

Red. Normally 3/32, sometimes 1/16 depending on what thickness material.

 

good info here, just wondering, which tungsten is radioactive?
i've heard it wasnt much but still curious to know which is. wasn't it thoriated(red)?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lam.N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">good info here, just wondering, which tungsten is radioactive?
i've heard it wasnt much but still curious to know which is. wasn't it thoriated(red)?</TD></TR></TABLE>

that is correct. only when you grind it sharp though. since learning this i've switched to 4% (orange) which is safer.

 

I use red on steels, but I like brown on aluminum. I use 3/32 for everything.

 

I use 2% ceriated for al, SS and Mild steel.
it alow the point to be pencil style, even on aluminium,

3/32 for anything from 1/16 up to 1/4

smaller guage SS, and Alu can be done with 1/16 thungsten.
still Ceriated at 2 %

jp

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lam.N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">good info here, just wondering, which tungsten is radioactive?
i've heard it wasnt much but still curious to know which is. wasn't it thoriated(red)?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Radioactive? I have been using 2% for 30 yrs. That's why if I really stare ,I can cut 1/4" plate with my eyes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RMF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Radioactive? I have been using 2% for 30 yrs. That's why if I really stare ,I can cut 1/4" plate with my eyes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL

Gotta wait another 10 for 3/8" plate?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by weiRtech &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

that is correct. only when you grind it sharp though. since learning this i've switched to 4% (orange) which is safer. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have a question. Who told you that thoria is only radioactive when it is ground on? Because they're wrong. Furthermore, why would switching to a higher percentage of said constantly decaying material(therefore radioactive) be any safer?

I guess that was two questions.