And now one for the torch folks. I have been looking at both the Hoke
and Meco torches. Has anyone here used both and if so is there a
preference?
Thanks,
Eric

I have a Meco midget. It is a good "bench" torch. It is small easy to
handle and manuever. It has a ultra-light rubber hose that I like for
ease of use around my workshop. If you are using it for jewelery,
soldering, small aviation pipe welding, thin metal, or pipe frame
fabrication, it will be fine. The Hoke is a bench torch for jewelers.
Use my Meco to weld 1/4" mild steel rods. The tips are a little on the
small size. If you going to use it for larger items and large brazing,
I would consider a larger torch. I also have an older Meco Weldmaster
torch that is good for bigger items.
-Mike

On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 09:59:26 -0800, Eric R Snow
wrote:

And now one for the torch folks. I have been looking at both the Hoke
and Meco torches. Has anyone here used both and if so is there a
preference?
Thanks,
Eric

I have a Meco Midget and a Smith Little Torch, no experience with
Hoke. The Meco #0 tip is equivalent to a #4 on the Little Torch.
The Meco might be a bit large for fine jewellry work, but I am
delighted with it for the type of work I usually do -- which is
typically small though larger than most jewellry. The Meco is well
made, valves work well and it is very easy to use.

I would think of the Meco more as a light aircraft torch than as a
jeweller's torch.