Overheard a young welder say something about tungsten that made me rethink my whole approach

I was grabbing supplies at the supply house on Tuesday and heard this kid maybe 25 years old talking to the counter guy about tungsten electrodes. He said he stopped using 2% thoriated entirely because the radioactivity thing bothered him, even though every old timer including me swears by it. He was going on about how he switched to 2% lanthanated and he gets way better arc starts on AC aluminum without the wandering. Honestly I got defensive at first because I have been using 2% thoriated since 1995 for everything. But then I went home and tried his suggestion on a 3/8 inch aluminum tank repair I had sitting on the bench. The difference was real. The arc was more stable and I did not have to sharpen the tip as often. Has anyone else made that switch and stuck with it? I am thinking about ordering a full pack but want to hear if there are downsides I am missing.

2 comments

2 Comments

williams.sage1mo agoMost Upvoted

Pushing 30 years of thoriated habit down the drain over some kid’s hot take.

tarabell1mo ago

Down the drain" is rough. Been there, @williams.sage. Just start fresh with a cheaper one.