Re: Brass electrodes: was- A Little more thangeneralquestionsII

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Edward Wingate by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <ewing7-at-rochester.rr-dot-com>

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "Metlicka Marc by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <mystuffs-at-orwell-dot-net>
> 
> ed,
> well i will take back the "anyone", i apologize.
> and i do remember your telling me that you feel pure tungsten is better,
> could you refresh my memory as to the benefits over carbide?
> i know the melting point is slightly higher for pure tungsten, but i
> think the sintering process does something to the carbide because i've
> seen no erosion or melting of even the sharpest edges. to give an
> example, on my triggered gap i use a small ball mill for the trigger
> electrode, this ball has many fine teeth on it, after much firing the
> teeth are still there, the pure tungsten rod i have has rounded over a
> bit with time?
> maybe pure tungsten has some redeeming qualities, i wont argue that, but
> the fact that carbide comes in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes,
> one for ANY design, and dull or chipped inserts run about $10.00 a
> pound, makes it a great electrode for coilers like me, the low budget.
> for those that might not know, pure tungsten and tungsten carbide are
> two different critters.
> marc

Marc,

There's nothing to apologize for. :^) 

As far as pros and cons go, if you do a search of the TML archives,
you'll find that the subject has been discussed more times than I care
to think about, so I won't rehash it here. I found 515 matches for
tungsten electrodes alone!

At any rate, one uses what one can get, and afford, and if it works for
them, that's all that really matters. Right?

Ed Wingate RATCB