How should tungsten be prepared for DC welding?

• A. Grind to a point along the length of the electrode, not across
• B. Grind across to a point
• C. Grind to a flat across the tip
• D. Don’t grind tungsten

Answer: (A)

For DC TIG welding, sharpening the tungsten to a fine point along the axis of the electrode concentrates the arc in a small, controllable spot. This on-axis point focuses the current into the weld pool, giving better arc stability and easier initiation, which is crucial for DC operation. Grinding across to a point or leaving the tungsten unground can create flat or irregular tip shapes that wander, chip, or contaminate the weld with tungsten inclusions. So, shaping the tip by grinding along the length of the electrode to a point provides the most reliable, controlled arc for DC welding.