Since I've had such a good response from my thread about tig welding and a defibrillator I've been searching for an alternative. Has anyone on here ever heard of or has a Meco N-Midget welding torch? I spotted it on a recommended site called Tin Man Tech. It looks like what I am looking for to continue tacking my Hot Rod chassis together. Before I spend the money I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with one? Thanks. Gary at Cornhusker Rod And Custom
Gary, No experience with that model but I’d suggest going with a used set of torches. They last forever if taken good care. Nowadays it’ll be plenty easy finding a good used set on Craigslist or a local auction. A lot of old tradesmen are giving up the ghost.
I've already got a regular sized torch set but it is to big and awkward to use in the close quarter work of tacking a chassis together. I need something with more finesse.
I've heard of the Meco Midget, it is not available around here but it seems to be popular among people who want a small light weight torch for sheet metal work. I'm not sure how thick metal it can handle or if heat from welding thicker metal becomes a problem for your hand at the distance from the flame (if I recall the tips aren't very long), but assuming it can handle the thickness you need and your fingers don't get BBQed it may be a good choice. If possibly, try one out before you buy.
I have a refrigeration torch set, which is quite a bit smaller than the normal ones.....Uniweld type 71, which takes type 17 tips. https://www.amazon.com/Uniweld-71-Welding-Handle-Connections/dp/B00FI1IN7I
View attachment 4124738 My 50 year old Craftsman set still serves me well, but I did pick up a smaller handle along the way. The Harris Model 19-2 is 12” OAL with the check valves and I find it much more handy and less tiresome than that old Craftsman.
A medium duty 100 series Victor brand cutting and welding combination torch is a very nice light little torch with a small diameter handle. Smaller than some bigger torches and nice to use. https://picclick.com/Victor-Medium-Duty-100-Series-Torch-Handle-262936277873.html
Welding thick material takes a lot of heat. You'll need a torch head that can flow enough for a big tip. I have a Henrob/Cobra gas torch that I enjoy using on thin stuff. I tried it once on some 1/8" thick angle iron using the biggest tip that came with the kit (#3). That tip wasn't big enough, or the torch handle couldn't flow enough to fuel it. The heat would conduct down the steel as fast as the tip could supply it. It took a long time to get a puddle formed, and the whole piece was scorching hot. You need a tip big enough to overload the steel with heat and form a puddle before the rest of the part sucks up the heat.
I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one left that still knows how to gas weld(not brazing). The kids at work look at me like I’m nuts when I get out my torch tip. They get the cutting head, I keep the welding head locked up. I still use it to weld exhaust together. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I use mine to weld up a new set of headers every once in a while. It works great on exhaust work. Heck, they used to build airplane and motorcycle chassis with a torch!
Something must be wrong. The Henrob is supposed to be able to weld up towards ½" steel. I have one too but I have not tried welding anything very thick, I only have small tanks that can't (or shouldn't) supply enough gas, I don't have the heat shield so it would get a bit hot to hold it, and I simply haven't needed to. I have welded steel around 1/8", probably using tip number 2. Size 3 I only used for the initial regulator adjustment.
While asking a similar question in another forum, I am now banned from that forum since I was told to buy a mig and do it right. I had my own opinions on what was right.
I have an assortment of large and small torches that I have acquired over the years. The two small torches I use, both I like equally well for welding sheet steel up to .100 in, are a Smith aircraft torch, and a Gloor. I used these torches extensively for welding tubing on homebuilt aircraft. I also have a Cobra as well as a large Victor torch (which I have had since 1970), both of which are heavier, but they work equally well for welding sheet steel, using the smaller tips I purchased when I bought these torches. I particularly like the Cobra (Dillon MkII) cutting attachment for cutting sheet steel with a minimum of warpage. Since purchasing a plasma cutter, I don't use it as much as I used to, but the Dillon torch has done an excellent job for me over the years. Here is a link to a video on what the Cobra can do. I am still using the original Victor regulators I bought in 1970 for all these torches. The only improvements I have made, are to install the anti blow back valves and an adapter to use the smaller diameter hoses with the small torches. This lightens the amount of load on the hands and improves the flexibility when working in tight areas. I will post pictures on request, if it would be helpful. Bob
Damn.... That's an impressive demo! Never seen one... But I sure think I'll be looking into that setup! I have a nice hypertherm 600 plasma, But Geezuzzz the consumables are about $75. A set of 5/5 a complete set....
I have two of them that I was lucky enough to find in auction boxes. I originally thought they were a gimmick until I started using it. For welding they recommend using 4 psi for both oxygen and acetyline, and I find that they work extremely well at this setting for most jobs that require the smaller tips. Bob
I have a Meco Midget myself and I love it....so nice and light. I got mine from Tinman and bought the lightweight hoses and extended tips. I really like the extended tips for 2 reasons. I am able to hold the torch kinda like a pencil and it gives me so much control and if you are torch welding aluminum it gets you away from the heat.....recommended
John: The chassis materials are 3/16th flat plate and 120 wall DOM tube welded to 10 gauge boxing. After I finish the fabrication and tacking the chassis together it is finish welded by a certified tig welder that has welded my chassis for almost 30 years. He only finish welds and is not interested in the fabrication of a chassis.
I've got a Midget, and a Cobra, as well as a regular torch set up. The Midget's great for doing sheet metal. Especially if you have a lot of it to do. The light weight, and small size make it a pleasure. The Cobra works great, cutting is amazing, but for long weld time, it's heavy and a bit awkward. At least until you get used to it. Good for aluminum, too, as the gas exiting it doesn't have the force of a regular torch, so it doesn't blow out the puddle.
Gary, took this from another thread about heart and electric welding stuff. The thread title is " Anyone have or use a Henrod 2000 torch?". I think they are now called a Colbra DHC 2000!
I had one of those Henrod torches, I didn't like it. Guess I have used the conventional torch so much, that it was not comfortable for me.
Normally I get a tight fit on the components when I'm fabricating a chassis and I've just been sweating the parts together with very little filler rod. I don't know if the Mico or Henrob are capable of doing that?
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