Bernard MIG guns?

admin

I am just an amateur so I need some enlightening here. In another thread about the Tweco 211i someone mentioned the Tweco gun is holding the machine back a bit and was upgraded to a Bernard Q200. I know guys run them on all brands of machines so I am wondering what benefits and advantages does the Bernard have over the stockers and if I should consider it for an upgrade in the future. Thanks!
Reply:Generally just a better product. Kind of like the difference between a ryobi drill verses a Milwaukee or makita, higher end product. Often times a better duty cycle, and heavier duty components.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mcm308I am just an amateur so I need some enlightening here. In another thread about the Tweco 211i someone mentioned the Tweco gun is holding the machine back a bit and was upgraded to a Bernard Q200. I know guys run them on all brands of machines so I am wondering what benefits and advantages does the Bernard have over the stockers and if I should consider it for an upgrade in the future. Thanks!
Reply:I really like the cam lock tips on the bernard guns.
Reply:Thanks for the responses.  I'll probably just keep the Tweco gun unless I absolutely have to replace it or I find a smokin deal on one.Cam lock tips?  How often do you guys have to change tips?  My old Millermatic 135 pretty much ran full throttle most of the time and I hardly ever had to change tips...Last edited by Mcm308; 01-15-2016 at 08:02 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by thegaryI run a tweco 300 amp gun on a 250amp machine because guns are rated using CO2 as a gas. CO2 is a refrigerant so it keeps the gun cool. If you use say 75/25 there is only 25% CO2 so the gun will heat up more.
Reply:There are some differences between manufacturers mig gun ratings.My miller guns are rated with CO2 for 100% duty cycle, and derated amps by half for mixed gas or self shielded flux core.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldinONActually, this is incorrect. Tweco rates their duty cycles based on mixed gas. The duty cycles on the lower amp Fusion guns do vary, though.
Reply:There's only one good proven mig gun and it's a tweco number 4
Reply:I like the tweco spray master guns coupled with a flex neck.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I really like these Bernard Q-guns.  I run them (or at least did for the past year) all day long in the 300 to 400 amp range using 85/15 shielding, most days with very little problem.   But, like pretty much any thing else they're not completely idiot proof.   You have to understand how to set them up and maintain not just the gun it's self but also the wire feeder it's attached to.
Reply:I honestly wouldn't change out your gun unless you start having problems with it, or ur over heating the gun cuz u want to run more volts/bigger wire/dualshield. A good Idea for some versatility is to have a liner for smaller wire in ur current gun and have a larger gun like the bernard Q300 with a liner for larger mig/dualshield wire.Dynasty 200DX   (2014)Millermatic 211 (2015)Optrel 864   (2014)Smith Medium duty MBA 30510 (Xmas 2014)Tennsmith 16ga 4ft finger brake (2015)Trailblazer 325 EFI and excel Thermal dynamics Cutmaster 82Miller maxtron 450
Reply:I really like the feel of the Tweco classic 2.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:Here's a side by side picture of the Bernard Q-gun and the new Tweco SprayMaster V450 (with the supposedly new and improved Center Fire consumables).At the time this picture was taken the Tweco probably has less than an hours "arc on" time on it (it was new out of the box just hours before).   Notice how heat darkened the nozzle is.    The Bernard Q-gun on the other hand has been out on the shop floor for quite some time and the nozzle on it has seen considerably more "arc on" time (several days worth at least I'd guess).
Reply:Originally Posted by Mark's WeldingThere's only one good proven mig gun and it's a tweco number 4
Reply:Originally Posted by Mark's WeldingThere's only one good proven mig gun and it's a tweco number 4
Reply:I do really like the Q200 I put on my 211I, but I love the magnum pro curve 300 that's on my TA210, and it works fantastic on the 211I too, I tried to find a deal on a magnum pro 250 or 200 for the 211i. I like the new magnum fat tips, and coarse thread nozzles. Don't rule one of those out if you come across one.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52