Meco Midget vs Smith Little Torch

[rossk76]

Does any one know if these are available in the UK?
If not can any recommend a firm that would ship one over to the UK?

[bobadame]

Which one are you interested in Ross?

[rossk76]

The AW1A Airline torch.

[Richard-S]

I would also like to hear has anyone used Smith Little Torch for welding 0.8-2mm steel? Or is it too small for that.

I have both a Meco and a Smith Little Torch. I just bought the Smith torch from eBay and tested it by welding together two pieces of 1/8 inch steel (3.175 mm) with the #5 tip which is almost exactly the size of a Victor #00 or a Meco #1. It welded the steel beautifully.

I have ordered a #7 tip for it, which is the size of a Victor #2 and a Meco #4. That should weld some pretty thick stuff, although it's probably more useful for brazing and welding aluminum because with that tiny torch handle your hands are pretty close to the weld and thick steel would get mighty hot.

[Babych44]

Originally Posted by Richard-S

I have both a Meco and a Smith Little Torch. I just bought the Smith torch from eBay and tested it by welding together two pieces of 1/8 inch steel (3.175 mm) with the #5 tip which is almost exactly the size of a Victor #00 or a Meco #1. It welded the steel beautifully.

I have ordered a #7 tip for it, which is the size of a Victor #2 and a Meco #4. That should weld some pretty thick stuff, although it's probably more useful for brazing and welding aluminum because with that tiny torch handle your hands are pretty close to the weld and thick steel would get mighty hot.

which torch you like more, Meco or Smith? Shipping costs for Meco are quite high, when shipping to Finland, plus VAT and custom..

[Mark Fox]

I found this one. Out of the UK. http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...rcode-999-7801
These are used in the jewellery trade.

[Richard-S]

which torch you like more, Meco or Smith?

I can't honestly answer that question yet. I bought the Smith Little Torch to use in my sculpture foundry in Mexico and I haven't bought tanks yet so I haven't done anything but that one test weld.

My Meco is at my metal shaping shop in the USA, and I have used it for about 15 years. All I can say about the Meco is that I love it. I have the old style tips that are taper drilled. Victor stopped making them that way, but Kent White has them made the old way and sells them reasonably. They are worth the trouble it takes to order them separately. I find they give a flame far superior to my Victor tips.

Richard

[John Buchtenkirch]

I really like my Meco Aviation-Jet torch with Kent’s super light, super flexible hose…. it’s a light weight conventional styled torch that keeps your hand far enough away from the heat of your work. The 180 degree spacing of the gas adjustment valves allows you to lay it on it’s back while it’s burning with minimal fear of it rolling over & causing fires . The down side is the Aviation-Jet and it’s cutting head are only available used but they do turn up on eBay often. ~ John Buchtenkirch

[Babych44]

Has Meco Midget retailer (don´t know is this right term) in Europe? Tm Technologies price for shipping to finland is? :

UPS Worldwide Expedited SM: 105.23
UPS Express SaverSM: 112.29

Pretty much I think! +VAT and custom duty

[kjc]

Jani,

Wow, that is too much!

I have to say though that I own - or have owned (sold some recently) just about every type of aircraft torch - Meco midget, Smith Airline, Victor J27, Purox w200 (old and new style), Harris 50 (neat torch with built in gasaver) Dillon.

Still have the Smith, Purox, Harris and Meco.

Once you have used the Meco on sheetmetal, the others will end up as paper weights. At least for me.