• Gasless Centerfire components allow Q-Gun to be used for MIG or flux-cored

• Heavy-Duty Centerfire consumables withstand high amperage MIG welding

• Dura-Flux gun sets the standard in comfort and durability in flux-cored welding

BEECHER, Ill. December 3, 2007 — With a focus on toughness, comfort and durability, Bernard^® will showcase the new Dura-Flux^™ gun as well as the new heavy-duty and gasless Centerfire^™ consumables in booth S-660 at the 2008 CONEXPO—CON/AGG show in Las Vegas, NV.

Designed to withstand the harsh environments of the construction industry while maximizing operator comfort and ease of use. A small trigger guard, instead of a large heat shield as used by many competitors, allows the Dura-Flux to access tough-to-reach joints. The gun’s non-metallic trigger reduces the Dura-Flux’s heat absorbtion for increased operator comfort.

The Dura-Flux is rated to 350 amps at 100 percent duty-cycle and accepts wire up to 3/32-in. diameter. The Dura-Flux also features a steel monocoil cable for increased durability and interchangeable power pins for direct connection to both Miller and Lincoln wire feeders.

For a limited time, the Dura-Flux is being included at no additional cost with the purchase of a Miller SuitCase^™ 12RC or SuitCase X-TREME^™ 12VS wire feeder.

Also on display will be the new gasless Centerfire consumables for the Q-Gun^™ and S-Gun^™. The gasless components allow welders to use flux-cored wire with the Q- or S-Gun without the obstruction of a shielding gas nozzle.

Featuring the standard Centerfire “drop-in” contact tip combined with a new locking mechanism that replaces the shielding gas nozzle, the system allows the contact tips to be changed without tools and more quickly than threaded tips. The tips can also be rotated within the base for a more even wear pattern and longer life. The tapered base of the contact tips also establishes greater surface contact with the gun neck, which in turn improves conductivity and overall weld quality.

Bernard’s new heavy-duty Centerfire consumables feature a unique two-piece nozzle that allows the operator to change out the nozzle cone without replacing the entire nozzle. Designed for 400-600 amp air-cooled MIG welding, the heavy-duty Centerfire components use thicker walled copper and an insulator made of a special, heat-resistant material, both of which allow the consumables to be exposed to greater amounts of heat without corresponding performance degradation.

Bernard will also have the Q-Gun on display for those attendees who use the MIG process. Designed to minimize downtime and maximize productivity, the Q-Gun features a variety of cable, handle and neck options, allowing the gun to be customized to meet the specific needs of nearly any MIG welding application.

For more information on any of Bernard’s MIG and flux-cored welding products, visit www.bernardwelds.com, call 1-800-946-2281, fax 708-946-6726, email info@bernardwelds.com or write Bernard, 449 West Corning Road, Box 667, Beecher, IL 60401.

Bernard Welding Equipment, located in Beecher, Ill, manufactures premium welding guns, consumables, accessories and manual arc products.  For over 50 years Bernard has been an innovator in heavy-duty MIG welding and a contributor to improved welding productivity.  Bernard Welding Equipment is a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW), Glenview, Ill.  ITW is a diversified multinational manufacturer of highly engineered components, assemblies and systems.