Remove nozzle for flux core mig welding?

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I've tried searching but didnt have much luck. I have a HF 90 amper FC mig. I've read elsewhere to remove the nozzle as its not needed with FC welding. They said it gets your arc closer and can see the puddle better. Others say without it you might weld the wire to the tip.Thoughts on why, or why not do this?Thanks
Reply:Real flux core guns don't have a nozzle, but they do have thread protectors. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:If that metal tip touches, does it damage the machine,gun,etc?
Reply:Originally Posted by thebuckIf that metal tip touches, does it damage the machine,gun,etc?
Reply:i've always chucked them . spatter and soot build up inside the nozzle and then you'll just have tokeep removing it to clean that crap out .  i like to spray the tip with anti-spatter anyway (PAM workstoo)  so nozzles don't work for me on my 110v fluxcore machines .  i think they are mostly cosmeticanyway - to make the POS look like a -real- mig welder . (see CEP's post about REAL flux guns)
Reply:Originally Posted by thebuckIf that metal tip touches, does it damage the machine,gun,etc?
Reply:Some clarification may be in order.  There are two types of flux core wire: self-shielded and gas-shielded.  In the case of self-shielded FCAW the gas cup is not necessary.  Gas-shielded FCAW requires the cup be in place, hopefully for obvious reasons.
Reply:This machine is not gas shielded. I can see the arc fine with it on there for most welds. One small issue I had is when I was working with angle iron and doing inside corners of 90's, I had to press the nozzle all the way in and sort of go at it blind. Which made more of a mess than a weld. So I got to looking at it and it looks like i'd get 1/2-3/4 inches closer minus the nozzle. It's not really a big deal, i guess I dont need the weld to go all the way to very inside corner anyway. I had just read somewhere that said it wasnt needed so I was curious what you guys thought. I also see Lincoln makes a plastic flux core nozzle that is shorter and more pointed. Wonder if that would go on my gun? For $4 maybe I'll give that a shot.
Reply:Can you post a picture of your gun, right at the contact tip with the nozzle off? Be nice to see what's under the nozzle.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by thebuckThis machine is not gas shielded. I can see the arc fine with it on there for most welds. One small issue I had is when I was working with angle iron and doing inside corners of 90's, I had to press the nozzle all the way in and sort of go at it blind. Which made more of a mess than a weld. So I got to looking at it and it looks like i'd get 1/2-3/4 inches closer minus the nozzle. It's not really a big deal, i guess I dont need the weld to go all the way to very inside corner anyway. I had just read somewhere that said it wasnt needed so I was curious what you guys thought. I also see Lincoln makes a plastic flux core nozzle that is shorter and more pointed. Wonder if that would go on my gun? For $4 maybe I'll give that a shot.
Reply:Been migging for over 20 years.  Never used a gas cup with fluxcore. Just gets in the way and prevents you from getting into those nooks and crannies.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPCan you post a picture of your gun, right at the contact tip with the nozzle off? Be nice to see what's under the nozzle.
Reply:After I put the new nozzle on I ran a test bead in the V of a piece of angle. MUCH better!