Dremel Tungsten Grinder

I decided to come up with a way to sharpen my tungsten for TIG welding, which would be close by, and uses a finer grit than my pedestal grinder.

Step 1: Gathering Materials

You will need:
* either a Dremel grinder, or a knock off (which is just fine for this application)
* Drill and bits (I used a step bit)
* Diamond cutting wheel that fits your grinders chuck.( I bought a cheep 20$ US set at Harbor Fright ;) that had 2 in it, plus every other possible attachment you would want!
*And finally, a nut that will fit the end of your grinder. ( I have the long attachment for mine which has an end cap which screws off, and receives a 5/8 nut.

Step 2: Measure Twice. Cut Once!

*However you can, figure out the best hole size.
I held my Dremel up to the hight that I wanted, and marked it. then I measured with calipers to find the width.
*I decided on a 3/4 size hole.
* Think about where you want this grinder to be, and make sure you can access the spot from underneath.
* I used a cheep step drill bit ( also HF) and it drilled out pretty easy.

Step 3: Assembly

* Finally I unscrewed the end cap, put the end thru the table, and tightened down the nut.
- make sure the chuck spins freely above the nut.
If it rubs, you may need to widen the hole.
* Then I chucked up the diamond cutting wheel, and tested it.
I also added a hook to hang the Dremel motor from, in a place I could reach the on off and speed control.
- if it sits too high, you could add washers under the table.

Step 4: The Benifits

Using a fine grit like this diamond cutting wheel, is not only faster then a pedestal grinder, but it basically polishes the point which increases the focus of your arc, and speeds the starting of your arc.

This has been my first Instructable. Tanks and Bombs!

Step 5: Update

I was worried that I would move something heavy across the table and break my dremel, so I added a sheath with an angled hole to put my tungsten thru.
This also make it so I can grind with one hand!

Comments

[cindyjerrell]

Clever! Thank you!

[FlorentinM]

have you experienced any wear on the threading of the dremel tool? i'm thinking of doing something similar but i worry that a metal nut on the plastic threading of the dremel could corrode it over time...

[fadai]

You´ve come up with a simple & elegant solution. Makes me wanna do the same even though I don´t really need it.... but I´m sure I can apply your solution to something in the line of silver smithing. Really nice!

[appsman]

This is outstanding! One last little addition would be to add a plexiglas window over the top of your sheath, then you'd be completely protected from breathing grinding dust. You could also drill more holes in the side for each tungsten size and to hold the proper angle. I gotta' do this.

[CatFist]

Nice instructable, I can see this idea working for other, similar uses. Never thought to find a nut that fits on the tip of the dremel where the rubber thingy usually is. I've always just clamped the dremel horizontally for this sort of thing, but you've opened my eyes to new possibilities. Thanks!

[steelshell fab]

Would you say I've helped you to see a new angle? ! ha