Fine Cut Nozzles Shielded or Non- Shielded

[Geanvert]

Hello, I currently have the unprotected Fine Cut consumables, is there a real difference in cutting quality with the protected Fine Cut?
Thank you

[weldguy]

I don't believe you will see any difference in cut quality between the protected and un-protected Finecut setups. The only difference I see is that the protected or shielded setup will help to protect the nozzle from molten metal sticking to it during the pierce cycle. This is helpful when piercing thick material but when using Finecuts it typically thinner material and pierce times are super fast and I don't see a real use for them.

[Geanvert]

very good, thanks for the feedback.

[Dirtmotor]

I have tried both , I think the shield helps the tip last longer .

[acourtjester]

If you are using Ohmic sensor contact the shield must be used for the circuit to work.

[Geanvert]

on occasion I would order a specific shield. THANKS

[SeanP]

For me the unshielded works lot better for some reason, galvanized, stainless and ally were a right pain with the ohmic shield.

When I did try ohmic sensing I ended up setting a pin/leg into a finecut deflector, that worked well and less trouble with spatter, back to floating head sensing for a few years now, more trouble than it was worth for me.

I also raise the air pressure on the machine to 4.9bar (71lb) which again makes for better cuts I find.

[Geanvert]

what do you mean by pin or foot? a photo would be welcome. thank you

[SeanP]

[Deezl Smoke]

Interesting. I though the shield was to cool the nozzle, at least on my PM105 mech torch, the fine cut shields have holes for air flow.

[Geanvert]

but you drilled the shield yourself to put a key in it?

[Deezl Smoke]

but you drilled the shield yourself to put a key in it?

Nope. I'll get a picture later today. It's been a while since I used fine cut, but iirc, the shield has holes just like the other shields, only the fine cut is a much shallower shield.

[Deezl Smoke]

Couple of my fine cut shield and nozzle.

[Geanvert]

so this is the protected version.

[adbuch]

so this is the protected version.

Shielded version is shown in the photo just posted. Those are the ones I use for my 45xp and 85.
David