Cutmaster 52 hand torch - cut quality

[NorthridgeFab]

I have a plasmacam and am running a CM52 with the hand torch. I am using a homemade ohmic sensor.

Plasmacam tech said to use the TD machine shield and retaining cup. Will this help cut quality or just enable the use of the TD ohmic clip?

[rock4xfab]

I doubt cut quality the sheild cup does just that keeps crap from blowing back a the nozzle, so it may help with consumable life and may play a roll in the OHMIC switch But I dont know for sure.

[weldguy]

If they are suggesting to use the shielded consumables shown below I have not had much luck with them at all. Those shield cups cause more problems than there worth. I only use them when cutting plate 3/8 and thicker to protect the tip from slag blowing back at it.

I believe the TD ohmic clip can be used on your existing consumables.

[rock4xfab]

The above pictured is what I use on my setup no issues..

[prattswelding]

I'm also using a Cutmaster 52 with an SL-60 hand torch. I purchased the Ohmic Clip, shield, cup, etc. shown below. When I tried using the shield cap, I get the error "Torch Hit Material During Travel" message when the torch is several inches above the material. I can't even move the gantry using the travel command without this error coming up. When I remove the shield cap, this message stops.

My main complaint with the ohmic clip is that it only touches one small spot on the plate. When it would go over a spot that had already been cut and the material had dropped out (say 3/4" of an inch from where I was making my current cut), the machine would keep lowering until my tip was dragging the plate. I went back to using a home made sensor that makes a loop around the entire tip. This way I have a sensor on all sides of my torch. I made it out of 3/32 stainless tig wire. it does collect dross after a while, but it flakes off easily with just my fingers. I generally run my Arc Voltage Shift at 8.5, and that holds my tip around 1/8" from my plate. Hope this helps a bit.