Preparing Tungsten Electrode For Dc Electrode Negative (Dcen) Welding Or Ac Welding With Inverter Machines - Miller Dynasty 280 Series Owner's Manual

1-1. Preparing Tungsten Electrode For DC Electrode Negative (DCEN) Welding
Or AC Welding With Inverter Machines
16-2. Preparing Tungsten Electrode For DC Electrode Negative (DCEN) Welding Or AC
Welding With Inverter Machines
Wrong Tungsten Preparation — Radial Grinding Causes Wandering Arc
Better Tungsten Preparation — Stable Arc
Best Tungsten Preparation — Dedicated Tungsten Grinder
OM-253086 Page 76
Grinding the tungsten electrode produces dust and flying sparks which can cause injury and start fires.
Use local exhaust (forced ventilation) at the grinder or wear an approved respirator. Read MSDS for safety
information. Consider using tungsten containing ceria, lanthana, or yttria instead of thoria. Grinding dust
from thoriated electrodes contains low-level radioactive material. Properly dispose of grinder dust in an
environmentally safe way. Wear proper face, hand, and body protection. Keep flammables away.
Grinding the tungsten electrode
produces dust and flying sparks
which can cause injury and start
fires. Use appropriate local ex-
haust (forced ventilation) at the
grinder or wear an approved respi-
rator. Read SDS for safety informa- 5
tion. Properly dispose of grinder
4
2 dust in an environmentally safe
way. Wear proper face, hand, and
body protection. Keep flammables
away.
Do not use thoriated tungsten. Use
tungsten containing ceria, lantha-
na, or yttria instead of thoria.
Grinding dust from thoriated elec-
trodes contains low-level radioac-
tive material.
�
It is recommended to prepare tungsten
with a tungsten grinder designed for
that purpose whenever possible.
1 Grinding Wheel
Grind end of tungsten on fine grit, hard abra-
sive wheel before welding. Do not use wheel
for other jobs or tungsten can become conta-
minated causing lower weld quality.
2 Tungsten Electrode
A 2% ceriated tungsten is recommended.
3 Ideal Grind Angle Range: 15° to 30°
�
30 degrees is the recommended elec-
trode grind angle.
4 Straight Ground
Grind lengthwise, not radial.
5 1–1/2 to 4 Times Electrode Diameter
6 Straight Ground Tip
�
Blunting the tip of the electrode is
sometimes done to help maintain con-
sistent geometry and resist tungsten
erosion. This is especially helpful in AC
when melt-back of the tungsten elec-
trode is common.
3
15 30
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OM-