NEW ‘Adapter’ for Meco Midget Torches
by Richard Paille
Use Hoke Tips On Meco Midget Torches!
During my 42 career I’ve used many, hand soldering torches. Teeny Torches to large, overly cumbersome ones. Each seems to have their advocates (or detractors) their pluses and minuses. Without hesitation my hands down favorite is the Meco Midget. Years ago it was (just) called the Meco. Not an inexpensive torch but a perfect, all around, bench torch whether I’m working in silver, gold or platinum.
Many years ago the Meco (I still have difficulty calling it the “Midget”) was available with Tips (in 4, sizes) ‘optimized’ for propane / natural gas with oxygen. When Victor (welding equipment & supplies) acquired Meco the ‘optimized’ Tips were discontinued. They were replaced with single hole Tips advertised to burn various fuel gases: Acetylene, Propane, Natural gas or Hydrogen with oxygen. The Catch… There’s a BIG difference in flame characteristics and ease of Torch use between ‘burning’ a fuel gas & being ‘optimized’ for a fuel gas(es).
Another great Torch I’ve used is the Hoke. It’s inexpensive, only ‘slightly’ larger than the Meco Midget, and very functional. The Meco is able to produce a somewhat larger flame than the Hoke (using larger Meco Tips) but Hoke Tips are available separately, from well known suppliers, that are ‘optimized’ for natural gas, propane and butane… they are also inexpensive!
New - M2H Adapter: If you use a Meco Midget Torch with single hole Tips, screw on the M2H Adapter and use inexpensive Hoke Tips (about $2.50 -$3 ea.) that are ‘optimized‘ for natural gas, propane & butane. Price & purchase sources coming. M2H Adapters are precision machined from solid brass. (Adapter color in the photo appears less yellow next to solid brass torch that has a decorative yellow over-plate) *** In case you’re wondering: The M2H Adapters are not ‘modified’ Meco Tips. They are a custom designed, CNC manufactured part with an exact fit between the Meco Midget Torch & Hoke Tips.
Bonus: Use the M2H to adapt single hole Hoke Tips to the Meco Midget Torch also. A great way to ‘optimize’ your Meco for several fuel gases! A coming post will preview more products for the Meco Midget, Hoke & “Little Torch.”
* Contact me directly for M2H availability before supplier only sales. ‘click’
My jewelry career began in 1970. Following college and a tour in the Army I opened a small studio in Seattle, WA where I did jewelry repair for the public and wholesale trade. I was also taking classes with the G.I.A. studying diamonds, colored stones and gem identification.
Later, I moved to a new, Seattle location and opened a traditional jewelry store, Dick Paille Jewelry, inc. Working long hours 'at-the-bench,' in the store’s manufacturing shop, managing employees, meeting with customers and what seemed like constant sales reps stopping by made for long hours. Six day work weeks were typical. The 70’s were demanding but rewarding years in my early career where I learned the ‘business end’ of the jewelry business as well as continued to hone my bench skills.
Years later I sold the store to follow an inner call to design jewelry for a national market selling my work at trade shows, retail stores and Galleries around the country.
In 1991 a new opportunity arose and I became involved in pearl farming in the Cook Islands and started the business, South Pacific Pearls International.
Eventually my jewelry background merged with several non-jewelry interests. I formed a small film crew and we traveled to Australia to shoot a documentary on opal mining entitled "Fire Down Under: The Hunt For Australian Opal." This first project led to another documentary about pearl farming called "A Gift From Neptune: The Black Pearls Of Manihiki." The years I traveled to the South Pacific were an exciting period in my career.
In 2003 I started Pacific Digital Studio to continue my interest in multimedia and to support talks I give on pearls and other jewelry subjects.
By 2008 I wanted to reduce my traveling and find new ways to share my career experiences with others. That desire led to starting a jewelry school, Learn2MakeJewelry which I operate today. I also consult on jewelry issues and am producing various jewelry tools to be sold through tool & findings suppliers.
I’m also an avid fly fisherman, love to build things, hunt for mushrooms, a life long amateur radio operator, wine lover and writer.
Tagged as:
silver soldering,
soldering torch
My jewelry career began in 1970. Following college and a tour in the Army I opened a small studio in Seattle, WA where I did jewelry repair for the public and wholesale trade. I was also taking classes with the G.I.A. studying diamonds, colored stones and gem identification.
Later, I moved to a new, Seattle location and opened a traditional jewelry store, Dick Paille Jewelry, inc. Working long hours 'at-the-bench,' in the store’s manufacturing shop, managing employees, meeting with customers and what seemed like constant sales reps stopping by made for long hours. Six day work weeks were typical. The 70’s were demanding but rewarding years in my early career where I learned the ‘business end’ of the jewelry business as well as continued to hone my bench skills.
Years later I sold the store to follow an inner call to design jewelry for a national market selling my work at trade shows, retail stores and Galleries around the country.
In 1991 a new opportunity arose and I became involved in pearl farming in the Cook Islands and started the business, South Pacific Pearls International.
Eventually my jewelry background merged with several non-jewelry interests. I formed a small film crew and we traveled to Australia to shoot a documentary on opal mining entitled "Fire Down Under: The Hunt For Australian Opal." This first project led to another documentary about pearl farming called "A Gift From Neptune: The Black Pearls Of Manihiki." The years I traveled to the South Pacific were an exciting period in my career.
In 2003 I started Pacific Digital Studio to continue my interest in multimedia and to support talks I give on pearls and other jewelry subjects.
By 2008 I wanted to reduce my traveling and find new ways to share my career experiences with others. That desire led to starting a jewelry school, Learn2MakeJewelry which I operate today. I also consult on jewelry issues and am producing various jewelry tools to be sold through tool & findings suppliers.
I’m also an avid fly fisherman, love to build things, hunt for mushrooms, a life long amateur radio operator, wine lover and writer.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I too love the meco torch, where can you get a M2H Adapter
thanks
david
Hey Richard,
Where are those adapters available? Mecco multi orifice tips are still available along with a varriety of other Mecco products including arose bud tip for propane and longer neck tubes for high btu output tips. Also check out the slim more flexable line thats available:http: //www.tinmantech.com/html/all_meco_related.php
and here: http://www.tinmantech.com/html/welding_hoses.php#ulw
I’m still using my hoke though.