Hi. I have recently got my CNC plasma cutter up and cutting with the hand torch. I am using a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101 plasma cutter. I found that Thermal Dynamics basically offers two machine torches, a shielded one and a non-shielded one. I am not sure which I should go with. It seams like the shielded one would be the best. Are there any drawbacks to the shielded one compared to the non-shielded one? Any help would be great Thanks.

What type and thickness of material are you mostly cutting?

I have not done much cutting yet, but the machine is rated to cut up to 1". I will probably use it mostly in the .13" to .50" range though. I have had no issues with the un-shielded hand torch that I been using for the bit of cutting I have done for the last 3 weeks. I am thinking of just staying with the un-shielded one mostly due to the fact that my plasma cutter does not have high frequency start.