Tig - Radnor E3 Tungsten?

Hi everyone, new to Tig and just wondered if anyone had ever used even heard of the E3 Tungsten from Airgas. They are the most local LWS and I know I am paying more but I'm not sure what to buy so I bought what they had (E3). The counter guy said it would work but I know how that goes. ;) It was the only thing they had besides pure Tungsten.
I have a new PT200DX on it's way and wanted to get everything I need to get it up and running. So I now have my Argon and some filler metal and this E3 Tungsten.

Thanks for any replies and also for all the things I've learned here just by reading your posts.

Steve

Been using E3 for a while now and really like it.

All positions and A/C or D/C.

Did just get a package of E4 today.... Amazing stuff.. Forgot to turn the gas on and it held up better than the E3.

(yes, I do that more often than I should)

More to come on this new tungsten.......

Congrats on the new machine, hope you like it!

I read the MSDS for E3 tungsten, and it turns out to be 1.5% lanthanated. So if you like the e3 you can probly find an equivalent pretty easily.

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks Guys, that's good to hear, that it's 1.5% Lanthanated. That's what I wanted to try anyway. So maybe the E4 is 2%.

I'll let you know how it works under the torture testing of a new guy. That is after I figure out how I'm going to sharpen them.

Kevin, thanks for making the videos. They're a big help to us beginners.

Steve

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Originally Posted by Shaggy

Thanks Guys, that's good to hear, that it's 1.5% Lanthanated. That's what I wanted to try anyway. So maybe the E4 is 2%.

I'll let you know how it works under the torture testing of a new guy. That is after I figure out how I'm going to sharpen them.

Kevin, thanks for making the videos. They're a big help to us beginners.

Steve

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I've purchased from this place and it's hard to beat his prices. http://www.weldingcity.com/tungsten-...thanated-blue/

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Originally Posted by zoama585

I've purchased from this place and it's hard to beat his prices. http://www.weldingcity.com/tungsten-...thanated-blue/

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Second that. Great site, prices. And they will like the 2% for steel and aluminum.

I've found the 2% Lanthanated to hold shape much longer than the 1.5% at 80-200 amps. It's just slightly harder to grind than the 1.5% ( which is near the consistency of hard chalk ), but holds up close to the Thoriated Tungsten. So far, it seems to me, the benefit of fewer tungsten changes per day is worth the slightly extra cost. The Thoriated is so expensive and tough on the grinder ( ordinary stone wheels ), that it's good to have alternatives.

Even at 40-60 amps, the 2% L holds it's point significantly longer than the 1.5 %... and it's more forgiving of an occasional dunk in the puddle...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shaggy

It was the only thing they had besides pure Tungsten.

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Steve-
Apologies in advance if you knew this already: are you aware that pure tungsten does not work well in an inverter TIG machine (such as yours)? Just a heads up, maybe save some grief later.

Been using the radnor e3 for the last couple of semesters at school and it's good stuff but way overpriced. Just started using 2% lanthanated from HTP at less than half the cost and not only is it as good but I think I like it a little better for DC. (Working at around 85 amps for the pipe welding course I'm currently taking). For those longer stretches of weld it seems to hold up better.


Everlast 200DX (Dual Voltage)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zoama585

I've purchased from this place and it's hard to beat his prices. http://www.weldingcity.com/tungsten-...thanated-blue/

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Thanks Zoama, I checked them out and ordered some 2% lanthanated from them and also got some extra parts for the torch. Good prices. Do they ship pretty quick?
Thanks for the link, that's gonna save me some bucks.

Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John71a

I've found the 2% Lanthanated to hold shape much longer than the 1.5% at 80-200 amps. It's just slightly harder to grind than the 1.5% ( which is near the consistency of hard chalk ), but holds up close to the Thoriated Tungsten. So far, it seems to me, the benefit of fewer tungsten changes per day is worth the slightly extra cost. The Thoriated is so expensive and tough on the grinder ( ordinary stone wheels ), that it's good to have alternatives.
tyEven at 40-60 amps, the 2% L holds it's point significantly longer than the 1.5 %... and it's more forgiving of an occasional dunk in the puddle...

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Thanks John, I just ordered some of the 2% from weldingcity. Going to give it a try.

Steve

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Originally Posted by DaveO

Steve-
Apologies in advance if you knew this already: are you aware that pure tungsten does not work well in an inverter TIG machine (such as yours)? Just a heads up, maybe save some grief later.

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Hey DaveO, no apology necessary. I did see a video by Jody that said that but thanks anyway.

Thanks
Steve

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Originally Posted by Glassbeaver

Been using the radnor e3 for the last couple of semesters at school and it's good stuff but way overpriced. Just started using 2% lanthanated from HTP at less than half the cost and not only is it as good but I think I like it a little better for DC. (Working at around 85 amps for the pipe welding course I'm currently taking). For those longer stretches of weld it seems to hold up better.


Everlast 200DX (Dual Voltage)

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Hey Glassbeaver, that's a +1 on the price of c3.

How do you like your 200DX DV? That's what I just ordered Monday.

Thanks
Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shaggy

Thanks Zoama, I checked them out and ordered some 2% lanthanated from them and also got some extra parts for the torch. Good prices. Do they ship pretty quick?
Thanks for the link, that's gonna save me some bucks.

Steve

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Your welcome. They ship quick for me every time... I've purchased gas lenses, cups, mig consumables, mig wire and tig filler rod. All good and just one day away for me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shaggy

Hey DaveO, no apology necessary. I did see a video by Jody that said that but thanks anyway.

Thanks
Steve

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Lol I'm terrible. Have had it a few months now but between school and work I'm still not set up lol. And it seems like every time I'm good to go I have to dump another hundred. I pick up my plate for my table top tomorrow. Then I think I'm off to the races.


Everlast 200DX (Dual Voltage)