Tex,
I would feel uneasy about tackling a job like yours too, if I'd never done it before. Some of these guys that do this regularly know the risks and how to handle them. I don't, I've never done anything like this before. If I were you I would get comfortable with the idea before you tackle this one. You are asking because, like you stated, you aren't familiar and you want to learn. Nobody can fault you for that, besides, it's safer that way. Please ask questions, at least satisfy, in your own mind, the doubts you have about this. I don't think Bill A meant anything by his statement, he was just stating the facts or the lack of. I'm sure he would not want anything to happen to you or anyone else while tackling this without being armed with all the information to do this safely.
How long before you have to strike an arc on this one?
John Wright