I’ve been experimenting with different tungsten electrodes lately, and I have to say, the differences are pretty pronounced depending on the material. For stainless steel, I swear by a tri-mix tungsten for that clean arc, while for aluminum, the 2% thoriated does wonders. Just curious how everyone else decides which electrode to use for their projects.
I get what you mean about the tri-mix for stainless steel — it’s like the Swiss army knife of tungsten! I usually keep a few for different applications, but I’ve noticed that the form factor can play a big role in the arc stability too. Ever try out a ceriated tungsten for tight spots?
When I work with stainless steel, the tri-mix really does give that clean arc you mentioned; i’ve also found that switching to a smaller diameter tungsten, like a 1/16, helps with those tricky, precise welds. Have you tried that yet?
I’ve found that changing up the grind angle on my tungsten makes a huge difference in stability, especially for aluminum. A 60-degree point gives me a sharper arc, which helps avoid that wandering issue. Ever tried tweaking the grind like that?