[Jewelry making - Article 00151] - Re: [Orchid] Little Torch vs. Meco Midget

[Todd Hawkinson]

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Dear All,

    Here is an another view comment and some torch history. I have used
    the Hoke torch for years, since 1976 or so. The Smith NE 140 and NE
    150 were an industry standard as well as the Hoke (Vigor made a very
    similar unit). The Midget was a smaller brass version of the Smith.
    The little torch came sometime in the early 80's I think. 

    In trade school in 1977 I started using the Smith because it was
    also capable of casting 10 oz of metal as well as doing bench repairs
    and annealing. 

    Smith stopped making the NE 140 and 150 so when I started teaching
    the program we switched to the Hoke. OK for bench work and annealing,
    but not for casting. We kept the Smith NE 150 and 140 for the casting
    area. We still use them everyday, even though they haven't been made
    for years. 

    The Hoke torches are now being replaced with brand new Meco Midgets.
    Stuller sells them. The little torch is just too small even with the
    larger tip to do some of the work. We use natural gas and oxygen
    because it is an industry standard. Acetylene is too bright, hot and
    sooty for our work. The Midget has a slightly finer control than the
    Hoke. We modify all the tips for a small, med and large opening. The
    torch tip holes supplied by the manufacturer were designed by someone
    who never worked on jewelry. 

    In my own shop I use a larger Smith for casting, the Hoke for the
    bench and I am trying out the new Meco Midget for a comparison. 

    It's interesting to watch the Rio Grand videos. Ed Friedman does a
    lot of the demos and uses a Meco Midget. At this point Rio does not
    even sell them. 

    It's not the torch it's the operator. 

Best Regards,
Todd Hawkinson
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