Welding Tips and Tricks

I got a couple of the purple tungsten included in my SQ Wave 200 machine. I haven't been able to find much info on them except maybe they are E3? Anybody got some info on them?

The E3 is one of the later series of electrodes to replace thoriated. It is a blend of three elements and is supposed to be very good on dc and ac. I know of one large fabshop near to me in OZ that uses it exclusively. I think Jody might have tested this one against a bunch of others and it was not as good as lanthanated.
I know it's expensive and as long as you don't max out on amps, they should work fine.
https://youtu.be/DzEuV83UGMY

This one is another brand which works well
http://www.ckworldwide.com/Form_452.pdf

chillrich wrote:This one is another brand which works well
http://www.ckworldwide.com/Form_452.pdf

Yup, that's basically what those "tri-mix" blends are. I know Diamond Ground has their own Tri-mix (with that actual trademarked name), but I don't know if the additional oxides are in the same percentages as the E3/CK versions. I some of those CK ones for free with some Amazon credits/gift cards I had accumulated, but have yet to use them. Mostly just use 2%La which works pretty darn good.

"RADIOACTIVE" scary word
Have tried most all of the colors of tungsten,some are more amp/size sensative.
So I researched Thorium(the thoriated in tungsten). Believe a day in the sun with no shirt will get one more bad radiation than life time welding with 2% thoriated. So I switched back for easy arc starts etc. Now using Diamond Ground 4% thoriated,(some is good,more is better). For me covers a wider range of welding applications both AC/DC.
My Opinion. Research,not hearsay.
And yes there is a 4% thoriated.

rick9345 wrote:"RADIOACTIVE" scary word
Have tried most all of the colors of tungsten,some are more amp/size sensative.
So I researched Thorium(the thoriated in tungsten). Believe a day in the sun with no shirt will get one more bad radiation than life time welding with 2% thoriated. So I switched back for easy arc starts etc. Now using Diamond Ground 4% thoriated,(some is good,more is better). For me covers a wider range of welding applications both AC/DC.
My Opinion. Research,not hearsay.
And yes there is a 4% thoriated.

Wow, I didn't know there was 4% Thoriated. You'll be glowing mutant-green in no time flat! For easier arc starts, I just simply grind a longer taper on my tungsten. 4x diameter works great

You will get a bigger glow from alcohol than thorium.
It is too bad Texas didn't have the foresight to include Minneapolis in its borders.That way we would be in the same state and it wouldn't be too far for occasional visits for welding bench sessions and a cool drink!

rick9345 wrote:You will get a bigger glow from alcohol than thorium.
It is too bad Texas didn't have the foresight to include Minneapolis in its borders.That way we would be in the same state and it wouldn't be too far for occasional visits for welding bench sessions and a cool drink!

We all need work to have this radiation BS buried for good. No more pandering to the H & S vermin !

I don't know anyone who has ever heard of any welder who has suffered from " radiation poisoning " .

Now, far more welders are known to have suffered ( somewhat ) from alcohol poisoning.............