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ARC-ZONE Sharpie Hand Held Tungsten Grinder

Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 10:22 pm
by Wobulate
I changed the way that I prepare tungsten, lately I have been using my Belt Grinder with a Norton Zirconia belt. This method worked, but I used one $9 belt in one 4 hour welding session. Tungsten is hard!!!!!!

I decided to grind with a hand held tungsten grinder. I purchased a Sharpie from Arc-Zone. (The Sharpie, HTP, and TechSouth are all the same, just a different label, in fact, TechSouth makes the grinding head on the grinder for all three sellers.) This was nearly the lowest cost grinder that Arc-Zone sells, so I thought the quality would go according to the price, but I was pleasantly surprised. The motor has three speeds (can't remember the exact speeds, but it is around 30,000/14,000/3,000) I used the lowest speed to keep the heat down. The motor housing is ergonomic with rubberized sections around the circumference of the motor housing. Switch has a protection lever that prevents the motor from being turned on while adjustments are being made. The design of the grinding head is very nice, just spending a few minutes with the unit and you will understand how to use it. The motor runs smooth and the feel of the bearings is tight.

Since I tried fine grinding wheels, a flap disc on a 4-1/2" angle grinder, then for my final experiment I used my KMG Belt Grinder. The Belt Grinder worked the best, using both slack-belt and contact wheel grinding. All of these worked, but I was after angle repeatability that I could not achieve via the methods stated above. I knew that to narrow the arc I must grind between 25 and 45 degrees (included), this is where the hand held tungsten grinder proved to be a better tool, and the price was fairly low at $349, including the optional 0.040" collet. I also purchased 2 fine diamond grinding wheels for $80.

Something else to think about is there is very little disturbance of my welding position, since with this type of grinding system I can sit at my TIG bench to both weld and grind my tungsten electrodes.

This is what I decided to do, if you need more info let me know.
:mrgreen:

Re: ARC-ZONE Sharpie Hand Held Tungsten Grinder

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 12:55 am
by Dirtynails
I have the low end Tech-South tungsten grinder and it is now my most favorite tool. I plug it into the back of the Miller and it is right next to me. Super consistent point and it takes seconds. The replacement diamond wheels are like 10 dollars and I don't think they are easily worn out from the use I have given it so far. I love it! Much better than chucking your tungsten in a drill and hitting it on a grinding wheel. Did I mention it was the best tool ever?