New tig welder I am, for me the thumb wheel was just award, so foot peddle made part of the learning easier. The biggest pain was grinding the tungsten, I am telling you I could not strike an arc without needing to regrind the electrode when I lifted. Spent as much time, actually more shaping the electrode. So I hit the net to seek the answer, cause I was getting no where fast and having tungsten breakfast.

Long story short, I found a dead nuts way to get it and takes less the a minuet. In fact the tip is so good I welded today for a couple of hours and only needed to regrind 3 times.

If interested this is what I found, use a drill with a speed control. Insert the electrode, hold up to the grinding wheel. Form the angle, when that appears slow the drill speed down to get the grind marks going in a straight line. Damn simple and sure helped me. Best tip I have pick up yet, now on to that stack of nickels ........... That will be a long time form now. LMAF

I do like how well the welds look and the penetration is amazing, that is some intense heat going on, nice welder the tig machine.. Cannot wait to get the dance correct, I do see it will be quicker then the mig, the weld puddle you can control and have the time to see it in action.