PRODUCT UPDATE — Select AccuLock Heavy Duty (HD) Copper Contact Tips Now Available in Quantities of 1000
AccuLock™ contact tips for 0.030” (0.8 mm) to 0.052” (1.4 mm) wire sizes are now available in packages of 1000.

Affected Part Numbers:
T-A030CH-1000 | 0.030″ (0.8 mm) |
T-A035CH-1000 | 0.035″ (0.9 mm) |
T-A039CH-1000 | 0.039″ (1.0 mm) |
T-A045CH-1000 | 0.045″ (1.2 mm) |
T-A052CH-1000 | 0.052″ (1.4 mm) |
AccuLock contact tips increase consumable life, reduce consumable replacement errors, simply consumables replacement and can be used across all semi-automatic, robotic and fixed automatic MIG guns.
2020 Holiday Schedule

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!
Please refer to the following schedules below for days and times Bernard and Tregaskiss will be closed around the holidays.
Bernard Holiday Schedule
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Please note that Bernard will be closed and there will not be shipping on the following dates:
~ December 24, 2020 and December 25, 2020 ~
~ December 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021 ~
All business and shipping will operate as usual on the following dates:
~ Until December 23, 2020 ~
~ December 28, 2020 through December 30, 2020 ~
~ January 4, 2021 and after ~
Tregaskiss Holiday Schedule
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Please note that Tregaskiss will be closed and there will not be shipping on the following dates:
~ December 24, 2020 through December 28, 2020 ~
~ January 1, 2021 ~
All business and shipping will continue to operate as usual on the following dates:
~ Until December 23, 2020 ~
~ December 29, 2020 through December 31, 2020 ~
~ January 4, 2021 and after ~
From Semi-Automatic to Automatic: Tips for Selecting a Welding Gun

Choosing the right equipment for a welding operation is critical to achieving high weld quality and productivity while also eliminating costly downtime. And that includes welding guns.
In many cases, companies may have a mix of welding processes and guns. For example, in heavy equipment and general manufacturing, it’s common to have semi-automatic welding along with robotic welding. In oil and gas and shipbuilding applications, semi-automatic welding and fixed automation are prevalent. The combination of welding processes and equipment allows companies serving these industries to weld a variety of part volumes and sizes.
These process mixes, however, can pose challenges in terms of gun selection. That’s why it’s important to know the best welding gun features to look for to achieve the desired weld results — and the best efficiencies.
This article has been published as a web-exclusive on thefabricator.com. To read the entire story, please click here.
The Importance of Cutting a Welding Liner Properly
The Importance of Cutting a Welding Liner Properly
Installing a welding liner correctly is, first and foremost, a matter of proper training. For traditional systems, it’s critical that welding operators understand how to measure and cut the liner to the required length for the gun.
A welding liner that has been cut either too short or too long can lead to a host of issues, most often poor wire feeding. That, in turn, can lead to weld quality issues and rework — both factors that contribute to unnecessary and costly downtime.
The Bernard® AccuLock™ S Consumable System can help eliminate installation issues. First, however, it’s important to understand the pitfalls of standard liner installation to understand the value of this solution.
The problem
The position of the gun and power cable factors significantly into whether liner installation is successful. If the gun and power cable are twisted or coiled before the welding operator trims the liner, the liner can end up either too long or too short, due to how the cable is constructed.
Inside the power cable is copper that is wound around a central conduit in a helix or spiral. If the cable is twisted or coiled, it will grow or shrink based on how the copper helix is also twisted. Think of a spring — if it is twisted one way, it grows; if twisted the other way, it shrinks.
For this reason, it’s important to lay the gun and cable straight to avoid any kinks that would lead to an incorrect reading when trimming the liner. Generally, longer power cables are more prone to twisting, so welding operators must take even more care when installing liners in them.
Welding operators may experience the following due to an improperly trimmed liner:
• Poor wire feeding
• Erratic arc
• Birdnesting
• Burnbacks
• Wire chatter
A new solution
The Bernard® AccuLock™ System eliminates the need to measure the liner for replacement. The liner locks into place so it can then be trimmed flush with the power pin cap at the back of the gun and power cable. It is still important to lay the gun and cable flat, avoiding twists.


The welding operator can conduct a visual check to determine the liner is in the proper place. This check isn’t possible with a traditional liner if it has been cut too short; the liner will be hidden under the nozzle and gas diffuser, and not visible to the welding operator.
The AccuLock System reduces wire feeding issues through the gun, as well, since the liner is locked and concentrically aligned at both the power pin cap and contact tip. This dual lock helps ensure the liner won’t extend or contract as the welding operator changes positions and the power cable naturally bends. The result is the elimination of gaps or misalignments at the front and back of the gun for a flawless wire-feeding path.
As an added benefit the concentric alignment of the liner reduces mechanical wear on the contact tip that could lead to burnbacks or keyholing, both of which shorten the contact tip life.
For more information please visit the AccuLock S consumables product page.
Bernard Expands Power Pin Offering for AccuLock S Consumables System
Bernard Expands Power Pin Offering for AccuLock S Consumables System
BEECHER, Ill. (November 10, 2020) — Bernard announced that its AccuLock™ S consumables system now includes Lincoln®, Tweco® #4 and Tweco #5 power pins. These are in addition to the power pins for Miller® equipment previously available.

All power pins are configurable options for the company’s BTB semi-automatic air-cooled MIG guns using the online configurator.
The AccuLock S consumable system addresses errors in liner trimming by locking and concentrically aligning the liner between the contact tip and power pin — no fasteners required. This system provides a flawless wire feeding path to minimize downtime associated with issues like burnbacks and birdnesting. Installing and replacing the liner is an error-proof process that requires no measuring. Users simply load the liner and trim it flush with the power pin.
Contact tips in the AccuLock S consumables system last two to three times longer due to optimized wire feeding. The contact tips also simplify inventory as part of a common consumable platform; they share the same contact tip with Tregaskiss® AccuLock R consumables.
The AccuLock S consumables system requires all AccuLock components: contact tip, diffuser, nozzle, liner, neck insulator, power pin and power pin cap.
AccuLock R Consumables Now Available on Fixed Automatic and Robotic Water-Cooled MIG Guns
AccuLock R Consumables Now Available on Fixed Automatic and Robotic Water-Cooled MIG Guns
WINDSOR, Ontario (October 27, 2020) – Tregaskiss announced its fixed automatic MIG guns and robotic water-cooled MIG guns are now available with AccuLock™ R consumables. This consumable system has been designed to increase contact tip life and virtually eliminate cross-threading issues, leading to a reduction in both planned and unplanned downtime for changeover.

AccuLock R consumables are compatible with the Tregaskiss MA1 fixed automatic air-cooled MIG gun, as well as the Tregaskiss MW1 and AW2 fixed automatic water-cooled guns for hard tooling automation applications. They are also available on the Tregaskiss 600-amp robotic water-cooled MIG gun, which is designed to improve productivity on demanding applications, such as welding thick plate or running prolonged duty cycles. Customers currently using TOUGH LOCK® consumables on their 600-amp robotic water-cooled gun can convert to AccuLock R consumables with no impact on Tool Center Point (TCP).
The consumables, including contact tips, gas diffusers and nozzles, are an option to select when customizing any of the guns using the Tregaskiss online configurators.
AccuLock R contact tips feature coarse threads that are responsible for virtually eliminating cross-threading, along with a long contact tip tail. The tail concentrically aligns inside the diffuser before engaging to ensure quick and accurate contact tip replacement, reducing time spent troubleshooting.
The AccuLock R contact tip has an increased mass at the front of the tip; plus, 60% of the tip is buried in the diffuser so it is protected from the arc’s heat. Tapered mating surfaces provide excellent electrical conductivity and also keep the consumables locked in place.
DISCONTINUED PRODUCTS — Various Part Numbers
DISCONTINUED PRODUCTS —
Various Part Numbers
October 23, 2020
Effective December 31, 2020, we will be discontinuing a variety of part numbers due to low demand and sales volume. A majority of these items are configured MIG gun part numbers and special products.
Please refer to the appendix for the list of affected part numbers.
Customer Testimony | Tico Adopts Bernard MIG Welding Guns & Consumables
Tico Adopts Bernard MIG Welding Guns & Consumables
Using Bernard® Q-Gun™ semi-automatic air-cooled MIG guns and Centerfire™ consumables, Tico Terminal Trucks and Trailers improved productivity and reduced welding costs.
Bob Jolson, owner of Jolson Welding, discusses the benefits of Bernard’s Q-Gun™ semi-automatic air-cooled MIG gun, Dura-Flux™ self-shielded flux-cored gun and Centerfire™ consumables in his welding operation.
Bob Jolson, owner of Jolson Welding, talks about the benefits of Bernard’s Centerfire™ consumables.
Bob Jolson, owner of Jolson Welding, talks about why he swears by the Bernard® Dura-Flux™ self-shielded flux-cored gun.
Contractor Bob Jolson talks about how Bernard’s Q-Gun™ semi-automatic air-cooled MIG gun has increased his productivity and reduced his back pain while welding large diameter pipe.
Bob Jolson, owner of Jolson Welding, discusses the benefits of Bernard’s Q-Gun™ semi-automatic air-cooled MIG gun, Dura-Flux™ self-shielded flux-cored gun and Centerfire™ consumables in his welding operation.
Jolson Welding (Wheatland, Calif.) relies on the durability and comfort of the Bernard® Dura-Flux™ self-shielded flux-cored gun for its tough structural, pile and pipe welding projects. Learn how the features of this gun help them get the job done.
Learn what Graham Corporation has to say about Bernard® MIG guns and consumables.
Bernard® MIG welding consumables help Taylor Machine Works save time by reducing contact tip changeover in its forklift welding operations. Since converting to Centerfire™ consumables, the company has gone from requiring multiple contact tip changes per day to only one on average per welder. The contact tips can be changed without tools, which saves time, plus they are heavier duty than Taylor’s previous brand, so they last longer. During the original trial of the consumables, Taylor even had one welder go 27 days without changing a contact tip! The gas diffusers and nozzles are also long lasting, so Taylor’s welders can spend more time welding and have less downtime for changeover.
Taylor Machine Works saves money by welding its forklifts with Bernard® MIG guns — all parts are replaceable, and the necks adjust to fit tight joints. The company’s previous MIG welding guns required downtime to take apart for maintenance and repair and were typically disposed of instead. The Bernard MIG guns make it quick to connect new parts, including swapping out necks. The necks are also rotatable so welders can adjust them to new angles to make it more comfortable to weld in hard-to-reach areas.
Tulsa Welding School’s Houston campus needs reliable equipment that can handle any process. Bernard® MIG guns and consumables are the answer. You can count on Bernard BTB semi-automatic air-cooled MIG guns to deliver industrial-grade performance and reliability in the most demanding environments as well as optimize welder ergonomics and weld access. Bernard contact tips, nozzles and diffusers are easy to use and high performing – they provide better arc starts, less spatter and more consistent welds – and also last up to three times longer than competitive brands.
Blinn College welding school instructors and students agree – Bernard® MIG guns and consumables are the welder’s best choice in dependability and easy to use. You can count on Bernard BTB semi-automatic air-cooled MIG guns to deliver industrial-grade performance and reliability in the most demanding environments as well as optimize welder ergonomics and weld access. Bernard contact tips, nozzles and diffusers are easy to use and high performing – they provide better arc starts, less spatter and more consistent welds – and also last up to three times longer than competitive brands.
Watch as we compare the time it take to change Bernard® Centerfire™ consumables on our BTB MIG Gun compared to our competitor.
Watch as we compare the strength of our Bernard® BTB semi-automatic air-cooled MIG gun handle to those of our competitors.
For a cleaner, more compliant work environment, get right to the source and extract fumes at the weld with the Bernard® Clean Air™ fume extraction gun. Closely matching the weight, handle size, durability and industrial grade performance of Bernard BTB semi-automatic air-cooled MIG guns, Clean Air fume extraction guns are fully configurable with your choice of curved or straight handles.
Build your ultimate MIG gun. Choose from a variety of necks, handles and trigger styles to optimize welder ergonomics and weld access. Then standardize with a single line of consumables to simplify maintenance and contain costs. You can count on Bernard® BTB semi-automatic air-cooled MIG guns to deliver industrial-grade performance and reliability in the most demanding and abusive environments.
Now mobile friendly! Configure your Bernard® semi-automatic MIG gun – anytime, anywhere! We recognize that welding applications differ for every welder and that sometimes only a customizable, industrial-duty MIG gun will get the job done. That’s why we allow you to configure a custom MIG gun for your specific application.
Customer Testimony | Jolson Welding Discusses Bernard MIG Guns, Flux-Cored Guns and Welding Consumables
Jolson Welding Discusses Bernard MIG Guns, Flux-Cored Guns and Welding Consumables
Customer Testimony | MIG Welding with Bernard Centerfire Consumables
MIG Welding with Bernard Centerfire Consumables
Customer Testimony | Flux-Cored Welding with a Bernard Dura-Flux Gun
Flux-Cored Welding with a Bernard Dura-Flux Gun
Customer Testimony | MIG Welding with a Bernard Q-Gun MIG Gun
MIG Welding with a Bernard Q-Gun MIG Gun
Customer Testimony | Jolson Welding Discusses Bernard MIG Guns, Flux-Cored Guns and Welding Consumables
Jolson Welding Discusses Bernard MIG Guns, Flux-Cored Guns and Welding Consumables
Customer Testimony | Contractor Shares Benefits of Bernard Dura-Flux Self-Shielded Flux-Cored Gun
Contractor Shares Benefits of Bernard Dura-Flux Self-Shielded Flux-Cored Gun
Customer Testimony | Graham Corporation Adopts Bernard MIG Guns and Consumables
Graham Corporation Adopts Bernard MIG Guns and Consumables
Customer Testimony | Bernard MIG Welding Consumables Save Time and Last Longer
Bernard MIG Welding Consumables Save Time and Last Longer
Customer Testimony | Bernard Replaceable MIG Gun Parts Save Money, Improve Performance
Bernard Replaceable MIG Gun Parts Save Money, Improve Performance
Customer Testimony | Welding students in Tulsa benefit from Bernard MIG guns and consumables
Welding Students in Tulsa Benefit from Bernard MIG Guns and Consumables
Customer Testimony | Blinn Instructors Choose Bernard MIG Guns and Consumables for Dependable Welding Equipment
Blinn Instructors Choose Bernard MIG Guns and Consumables for Dependable Welding Equipment
Video | Bernard Centerfire Changing Consumables Challenge
Bernard Centerfire Changing Consumables Challenge
Video | Bernard BTB MIG Gun Handle Impact Test
Bernard BTB MIG Gun Handle Impact Test
Animation | Bernard Clean Air Fume Extraction MIG Welding Guns
Bernard Clean Air Fume Extraction MIG Welding Guns Animation
Animation | Bernard BTB Semi-Automatic Air-Cooled MIG Welding Guns
Bernard BTB Semi-Automatic Air-Cooled MIG Welding Guns Animation
Video | Configure your Bernard Semi-Automatic MIG Gun Online
Configure your Bernard Semi-Automatic MIG Gun Online