poor mans electro polishing
Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2026 12:59 am
i just got some carbon brushes that thread into a 17 tig torch.
just trying out some electro polishing on some stainless tubes i'm welding up. just using some left over phosphoric acid at the mo.
whats best dc current or ac ?
trialing it on my old ac/dc tig, so i can do both. - or + ? ac balance ?
the main acid thats for sale here for it is phosphoric, but i hear citric acid works as well. whats the differences between the two?
so far dc+ seams to work best and at surprising low amps. i was told 30 amps, but i'm way lower than that (using pedal).
it also seams to do a much nicer job than normal pickling acid, especially from cold. but have to be careful with the brush otherwise you start welding the brush to the metal.
just trying out some electro polishing on some stainless tubes i'm welding up. just using some left over phosphoric acid at the mo.
whats best dc current or ac ?
trialing it on my old ac/dc tig, so i can do both. - or + ? ac balance ?
the main acid thats for sale here for it is phosphoric, but i hear citric acid works as well. whats the differences between the two?
so far dc+ seams to work best and at surprising low amps. i was told 30 amps, but i'm way lower than that (using pedal).
it also seams to do a much nicer job than normal pickling acid, especially from cold. but have to be careful with the brush otherwise you start welding the brush to the metal.