Bench practice
Grinding & tip preparation that keeps arcs honest
Most “bad electrode” complaints are bad preparation. Ten minutes on the grinder discipline saves hours of wander, spitting and rework.
The rules that matter
Grind lengthwise, never around
Grind marks must run parallel to the electrode axis. Circumferential marks steer the arc sideways and erode the tip unevenly.
Match the point to the current
Low current wants a sharper point (included angle around 20–30°) for a tight, easy-starting arc; high current wants a blunter point or a small flat land so the tip survives the heat. AC types (WP, WZ8) are usually left to ball rather than pointed.
One wheel per material family
A dedicated wheel for thoriated rods keeps thorium out of your ceriated and lanthanated dust stream — a simple, cheap compliance win.
Extract the dust
Any grinding produces metal dust; thoriated grinding produces radioactive dust. Local exhaust or a filtered tip grinder is the control, and in the EU it is the expected practice.
Clean before use
Wipe ground tips with a clean lint-free cloth; grinding residue in the puddle shows up as inclusions on radiographs.
Re-dress on schedule, not on failure
A tip re-dressed before it degrades keeps arc length and width constant — the difference between repeatable beads and “the machine feels off today”.
Quick reference
| Job | Preparation |
|---|---|
| DC low current (< 50 A) | Sharp point 20–30° included, lengthwise grind |
| DC medium/high current | Blunter point with small flat land |
| AC aluminium (WP / WZ8) | Light chamfer, then let the arc form the ball |
| Orbital / automated | Consistent angle fixture; re-dress by cycle count |
Pair this with the colour code chart so the right rod reaches the grinder in the first place.
Send your electrode list today
Type, diameter × length, quantity and packing — mixed sizes welcome. You get a specification-confirmed quotation with lead time, normally within 24 hours.