Wouldn't be the first time a Foreman, HR, Plant Mgr or other office puke didn't know what the heck they were talking about. Last fall some outfit in S.D. was wanting welders. I asked about the pay, and yeah for the couple of weeks duration, it would have been ok, especially since I had a friend in a nearby town I could hang with for free (beer). They said I had to pass a structural test to get hired...OK "What is the test" I asked? "It's AWS D1.1 structural welding test." they replied. "So exactly what is the test?" I inquired. "It's THE AWS D1.1 structural welding test." he replied and then...added, just to put me in my place...."Well if you're a so called journeyman welder and don't know what that is, we don't need you!"
Now if some of this info is correct with say a semi-auto SAW. Wow, 1/8" wire hand held would be like trying to give a bobcat a swirly