I am thinking about getting a Mecco (sp) mini torch as it was highly
recommended for doing work in gold.
Pros? Cons? Does anyone have any favorites? I will be using
oxy/acetelyene. Any good places to obtain such?
For some reason, even though we are a commercial outfit, the fire
department doesn’t like having propane in our studio…and we are even
on the second floor!
I heard that MECO was bought out (by (Victor ?) and closed down.
maybe only hearsay – They were in St Louis. You probably should look
at the Smith little torch or aircraft torches or the Victor aircraft
torch or?? Jesse
LP a.k.a. LPG a.k.a. Propane gas is heavier than air and will sink to
a low spot and collect, thus having a greater potential to become
concentrated enough to be explosive. I think that is why the fire
dept doesn’t like it. No experience with the torch, but I wonder if
Natural Gas and oxygen would be hot enough for your work?
Karen, I use a Meco midget N. I really like the size and it works
well, in all applications. I use it with propane, I never really
liked using acetylene. A mall kiosk, I worked in required acetylene,
and was able to get used to it but, I never liked it. Most propane
tanks have a warning label that says they are not for indoor use. I
have also used natural gas/oxygen and was satisfied with that for many
years.
I guess, if you’ve already asked the authorities, it’s too late. But
sometimes it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission!
Curtis
This has always been my favorite and we have 17 of them in operation.
The torch has the greatest versatility in flame size from the ability
to solder the finest chains to melting an ounce or two of gold. It is
light weight, easily controlled with one hand and very dependable. As
stated earlier, my preference is based on what I am most comfortable
with and that is not to say that all would agree. Alan
Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts
760 Market Street . Suite 900
San Francisco . California . 94102 . USA
tel: 415 . 391 . 4179
fax: 415 . 391 . 7570
email: alan@revereacademy.com
web site: www.revereacademy.com
Hi Karen, I have used a Mecco for many years. It is a great tool and
I highly reccomend it. I’ve used it with natural ges and propane, but
never acetelyene. It is especialy handy for anyone who is left handed.
Have fun. Tom Arnold
Thanks on the Meko. Natural gas would be fine, but we can’t get in
Woburn. Although the space was formarily a jewelry manufacturing
studio where I am sure they used propane, my new landlord works for
Osha. It was hard to convince him that using aceteleyne/air for the
Smith torches was OK. I’m used to aceteleyne, as is most folks from
art schools. We had MAPP/air at school, but it had to be shut down as
it constantly vented and always smelled of gas.
The Mecco works great with natural gas and oxygen, and also with
propane and oxygen. I have even attached a hose to the oxygen side
and instead of feeding pure oxygen, I have blown to add air to it
when feed with propane. The result is a fairly controllable blow pipe
which works well for some things. I do not think that acetylene is
compatible with the Mecco. Alan Revere
The Mecco works great with natural gas and oxygen, and also with
propane and oxygen. ............... I do not think that acetylene
is compatible with the Mecco.
Greetings all…I have come across a site that may be of some
assistance in this very personal choice…a torch. I have
recently purchased a Meco (not from here, and have yet to use one) but
I got mine el cheapo…years old but unused…can’s wait to light
the engines! I have spoken with Kent White and he was very helpful
with questions I had regarding the use of the torch, tip choices and
the like. Meco Midget Torch - N-Midget Welding Torch Meco Midget Torch - N-Midget Welding Torch