Willie B
Silver Member
As for counter personnel, they are usually not hired as instructors. Those able to spec their own welding supplies need someone able to pick, or order. Those who are learning, or never will learn become a liability should the counter person offer too much advice.
I had a conversation today with a counter man. Esab Dual Shield is more expensive than the Lincoln product. I asked if anyone had mentioned a preference. He explained that the engineering standard usually specified for building framing is a direct quote from the Dual Shield spec. Lincoln is phrased slightly different. No real liability, he wasn't telling me what to use, he wasn't telling me how to do it.
When I first wanted to set up for Dual Shield no one was willing to tell me how. Even Miller wasn't willing to say what I would need. Lacking knowledge, I melted my stock weldcraft gun. Switching to a Bernard 400 amp gun solved numerous problems. I'm now up to four guns for one welder; spool gun for aluminum, little short gun for .027" wire, the stock M25 Weldcraft for .030, and .035 wire, and the Bernard Howitzer for .045 Dual Shield.
My theory is that welding supply stores are in the merchandising business. They want sales, anything else interferes with profit. Counter personnel have to walk the line between being helpful, and efficient, and becoming under qualified, uninsured instructors. Meanwhile, a professional customer overhears the counter man trying to teach a beginner how to compete with the pro, he has offended his best customer.
I think I understand why upper management doesn't want people trying to be expert.
As for not knowing what Dual Shield is, that seems a bigger concern.
I had a conversation today with a counter man. Esab Dual Shield is more expensive than the Lincoln product. I asked if anyone had mentioned a preference. He explained that the engineering standard usually specified for building framing is a direct quote from the Dual Shield spec. Lincoln is phrased slightly different. No real liability, he wasn't telling me what to use, he wasn't telling me how to do it.
When I first wanted to set up for Dual Shield no one was willing to tell me how. Even Miller wasn't willing to say what I would need. Lacking knowledge, I melted my stock weldcraft gun. Switching to a Bernard 400 amp gun solved numerous problems. I'm now up to four guns for one welder; spool gun for aluminum, little short gun for .027" wire, the stock M25 Weldcraft for .030, and .035 wire, and the Bernard Howitzer for .045 Dual Shield.
My theory is that welding supply stores are in the merchandising business. They want sales, anything else interferes with profit. Counter personnel have to walk the line between being helpful, and efficient, and becoming under qualified, uninsured instructors. Meanwhile, a professional customer overhears the counter man trying to teach a beginner how to compete with the pro, he has offended his best customer.
I think I understand why upper management doesn't want people trying to be expert.
As for not knowing what Dual Shield is, that seems a bigger concern.
Chances are they have a few large commercial gas accounts and could give a darn about the little guy.. They make most of their profits on gas for sure...
