Liner Replacement
Replacing a worn liner can be a time consuming task, but that could be just the beginning if you rush the job and install it incorrectly. A liner that is trimmed too short for the cable will leave a gap that can interfere with wire feed consistency, place strain on the drive rolls and potentialy result in a "bird nest."

Although it might seem simple enough, there are some basic steps that need to be taken to ensure the liner is installed correctly and doesn't lead to any of the problems listed above.

Read a complete explanation of liner care, troubleshooting and replacement on the Bernard Web site.

Q&A: The Right Sized Gun
Q: How do I know what size gun to buy for my application?

A: Believe it or not, picking the right gun for your application is not as easy as it seems. In many cases, a customer who typically welds at 300 amps will select a 300-amp gun. This sounds like a good idea, but in fact, this customer is likely buying "too much" gun, which can lead to excessive muscle fatigue and decreased maneuverability.

Because the arc-on rate for most welders is usually around 25-45 percent, someone who regularly welds at 300 amps can often get by with a 200-250 amp gun without having to worry about exceeding its duty cycle.

This is just one of the factors to consider when deciding on the right MIG gun for your application. Visit the Bernard Web site for additional information.

Got a nagging MIG or flux-cored problem you'd like us to address in a future issue of MIG TIps? Send us your most confounding welding dilemmas using our Contact Us form and writing "MIG Tips Q&A" in the subject line of the page.

Did you know?
Bernard is affiliated with many world class makers of welding equipment and accessories.

Learn more by visiting the ITW North America Web site.

New Content for MIG Tips!

We know that you value new product updates and expert technical information to help improve your MIG and flux-cored welding productivity and profitability. But we also know that's not all that you value. To help make MIG Tips more relevant to both your professional and personal life, we're introducing some new features beginning with this issue.

In addition to the technical articles, case histories and new product information you've come to expect, we added an Industry News section that will provide updates and relevant information from the front lines of the welding industry, a Q & A section in which we'll try to help you solve your most confounding welding troubles and a new After 5 column, written by a guest columnist, devoted to your hobbies and interests after the whistle blows and the clock is punched.

And as always, your feedback is valued immensely. Tell us what you like and what you would change about MIG Tips and we'll do our best to make this newsletter a useful and topical part of your work and home life.

MIG Mythbusting

Choosing the wrong MIG guns and consumables for your welding operation can have a significant impact on productivity and bottom-line profitability. Likewise, choosing the correct equipment can improve your welding performance.

There are so many variables involved in producing a sound, visually appealing MIG weld that it’s understandable that the importance of MIG guns and consumables in the welding process can be easily overlooked.

Many companies simply take the welding gun that comes with their power source and assume that it and its consumables are suited to their specific welding operation. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and using the wrong MIG gun and consumables can lead to poor weld quality, excessive maintenance and increased time spent on rework, grinding and other non-value added activities.

In order to clear up some of the confusion, Bernard has crafted a “MIG Mythbusting” technical article that identifies and clarifies five of the most common misconceptions about MIG guns and consumables. Visit our Web site to learn more.

MIG-To-FCAW Conversion Parts

MIG-to-FCAW conversion parts can save time and hassle when switching between the two processes.

If you regularly switch between MIG and self-shielded flux cored welding with the same power source, you know how much easier it is to see the weld puddle and control the arc without the MIG gun nozzle.

To provide you with these benefits, without having to take the time to install a dedicated flux cored gun, Bernard offers Centerfire conversion parts that allow you to remove the nozzle of your Q-Gun and weld using your standard Centerfire contact tip and small diffuser.

The conversion parts consist of an insulator and a contact tip holder that locks the contact tip in place, but still allows it to be rotated a full 360 degrees to expose new wear surfaces.

Visit the Bernard Web site to learn more about MIG to FCAW conversion parts.

Industry News - Tradeshow Update

Tradeshows are a great way to "kick the tires" of new products that can help boost your productivity, reduce your weld costs and help you keep a competitive edge. Plus, most tradeshows also offer seminars and lectures designed to keep you on the cutting edge of welding trends and technology.

Below is a sampling of upcoming North American industrial tradeshows and conferences. Check one out in your area!

The Family That Hunts Together...Eats Together

About the author - If it goes bang, throws a projectile or casts a lure, Chuck Schroeder likes it and probably wants one. He is an NRA life member and certified hunter safety instructor. He writes for a living. You can read his blog at http://chuckoutdoors.wordpress.com/

My brother and I received our first BB guns at ages six and seven, respectively. Nixon was president. My father had recently exited active military service, which included shooting on the Navy High Power Rifle Team, but he still competed at a national level. To say that we grew up around guns and strict shooting discipline would be an understatement.

But what about today's generation of youngsters? Are they growing up enjoying the shooting sports? No. Everyone's telling Ralphie, "You'll shoot your eye out!"

The most recent 5-year survey conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service indicates that just 12 percent of people 24 and younger hunt, and the numbers are declining. The same holds true for fishing, too. Kids are losing touch with being outdoors, much less putting food on the table.

If you’re like me, you believe that shooting, hunting and fishing provide adults with a unique opportunity to help children learn responsibility and build character while doing something that’s downright fun together (can I emphasize together again?).

If we want our outdoor heritage to remain strong, we need to share our personal passion—whatever it happens to be—with a child or a novice adult. A great place to start is your local rod & gun club. Most of the larger clubs have organized learning activities and “free to the public” events designed specifically to introduce people to shooting, hunting and/or fishing.

Visit the Bernard Web site to continue reading Chuck's column. Use the Contact Us form and put After 5 in the subject line to be considered for your own column.