Shroud profile/gun preference

[p0689109]

There seems to be at least four different nozzle shroud profiles for the mig.They are :
1.conical
2.tapered
3.cylindrical
4.spot
I assume that the conical is for "normal" welding and that spot is self explanatory. Can anybody tell me what the other two are designed for?
Also I have been looking into getting a new torch for my Clarke 215TE turbo as the one I got with it seems to be an oddball one that has a small swan neck compared to say the PARWELD one. This means I cannot replace the liner as it will not fit through the neck. The torch was fitted with a teflon liner and was being used to weld Aluminium. I want to use it on a classic mini project and so need to use 0.6mm tips. So that means a type 15 euro torch. I have a type 25 which uses 0.8 tips and is off another mig I have.It is a Binzel and it seems to be a good make. Looking on the ebay there seems to be quite a few torches advertised as "BINZEL" types and look like them and are cheaper too. I have also looked at the PARWELD one that weldequip sell and am wondering which one/s you fellow welders would recommend. I am not a professional welder but like good quality tools. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Regards, Michael T

 

[Sparkey]

Hiya Michael!

Well at first i would like to put some images to your message so here are the shrouds you mentioned:
Cylindrical


Spot welding


Tapered


Conical


Now then,
I'm a big fan of the tapered one because it allows me to get in all nooks and crannies...
And other members step in and correct me if i'm wrong but i think that's the big difference for all the shrouds? accessibility? How many space do i have, to put my shroud in? (hum )

 

[aametalmaster]

Now then,
I'm a big fan of the tapered one because it allows me to get in all nooks and crannies...
And other members step in and correct me if i'm wrong but i think that's the big difference for all the shrouds? accessibility? How many space do i have, to put my shroud in? (hum )

Yup thats the big issue is where it fits. And second not all guns have an option as some take special nozzles and some need to be special made to fit. I have some modified ones at my job that i use every now and then...Bob

 

[p0689109]

shroud profile

So what is the cylindrical one for then?
Confused or what,Regards, Michael T

 

[Ragnarok]

cylindrical ones give you better gas coverage, same as big cups/gas lenses on tig, they'll use more gas too though.

 

[aametalmaster]

So what is the cylindrical one for then?
Confused or what,Regards, Michael T

Some big mig guns only use the Cylindrical one at least the ones we have at work. I would love a small nozzle but for a 500 amp gun thats tough...Bob

 

[Sparkey]

cylindrical ones give you better gas coverage, same as big cups/gas lenses on tig, they'll use more gas too though.

How's that then? they will not use more gas if you have set it on 10 lpm... lol!

Nah they are too big those shrouds, i can't get on with them! But our ABB welding robots at work use them...but they don't complain about it! lol!

 

[Ragnarok]

How's that then? they will not use more gas if you have set it on 10 lpm... lol!

Nah they are too big those shrouds, i can't get on with them! But our ABB welding robots at work use them...but they don't complain about it! lol!

well yes, thats true, but to get proper coverage the smaller the shroud the lower the lpm you need, if you use a huge torch with a huge shroud you'll need to turn up the lpm and if you use a small torch and a tiny shroud you can turn it down, you don't actually need even 10lpm with a tapered shroud on an MB15 6lpm would easily do it, as long as there are no drafts, but on a MB36 or similar with a cylindrical shroud you'll probably need 15-18lpm, a big shroud has a larger area so i'll need more gas to get an air free shield around the weld.