I’d recommend these hoses from Tin Man Tech vs. the Smith hoses. Better quality and half the price!
-Jim G
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Know how long those are?
If memory serves, they are 9 feet long.
-Jim G
Ah yes – see Meco Torch and Accessories by TM Technologies
(This hose is acceptable for use with all gases.) This black twinlead “leader” hose is extremely flexible , and is the lightest twinlead hose available. When used with the Meco Midget, the total “in-hand” weight is a mere 8 oz. and you can tie that ultralight black hose in a knot! Exclusive, special and available only from TM Technologies. 9 foot length with size “A” hose fittings. This product includes adapters to connect to standard “B” regulators. This is a “T” grade hose.
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I have a similar set up and I do remember having to order a second time to get some adapters that I forgot. Might be worth it to call them before ordering to make sure you get all the correct fitting and adapters.
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Smith AW1A or Victor J-28? Which is better or are there no difference?
The Smith is a little cheaper.
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They are the same quality and produce the same results. Uniweld 71 is cheaper than both of them and uses all the same accessories as a J28.
It’s a personal choice, you can’t go wrong with either of them. I like the J28 because it’s very common where I live and finding spares/accessories is easy.
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The Tin Man hoses are a lot nicer than the Kevlar hoses. Keep them off the ground and they last.
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Did not see Uniweld. Nice in the middle pricing compared to the Amazon one and the Victor.
SÜA® - Ligth Duty Welding/Brazing Torch Handle Compatible with Victor Series"J" Amazon.com
I am really curious about the SUA torches! If anyone gets one, please report back! I managed to pick up a NOS Uniweld 71 on Ebay for a decent price…
-Jim G
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Does the Meco torch get hot enough to filet braze a frame?
The Meco torch is definitely hot enough and many framebuilders use them. The shape of the torch takes a little getting used to, especially when fillet brazing. The Meco torch is a great option but pricey.
I use the Uniweld 71 with my propane oxygen concentrator set up. Works well.
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I bought a used GasFluxer and it came with a Meco Midget attached, that the seller never mentioned. Bonus! But when I used it with the oxygen concentrator, I wasn’t getting enough oxy coming through. Maybe it just needs an overhaul but I vaguely remember someone else said the same thing, it needs more O2 backpressure for some reason?
When I put the AW1A on there, the O2 flow was fine, only thing different was the torch.
Any other Midget users out there with a concentrator?
I though the gasfluxer went on the fuel gas line?
haha true but you also have to connect the torch to O2. Two hoses in, hopefully one flame out. Oh I guess technically with Paige tips it’s many small flames that join to make one flame.
The reason I love this forum is the info it shares:
New addition:
Found it for $50 on CL - immediately run into “maintenance needed” mode but after a filter cleanup and sanitation (cleaning all the electronic boards and the motor) went back into “green”!
Works well, now I only need hoses to finish my oxy-propane setup!
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Update:
It seems that tinmantech is down, I wanted to order their hoses, I call them up (I live “close by”) and the biz owner suddenly passed away last week, I talked with the daughter, they are trying to keep up with the business but they need time, understandably so.
I am about to order these hoses while waiting for TM:
They also have a cheaper and more classic option, still smaller than regular hoses:
The Smith Kevlar hoses are light and nice. I’ve had no issues with durability, but you’ll find some people are concerned about that.
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My Smith hoses worked great for a decade and then developed a lot of pinholes after a few years in storage. Not bad, but longer would have been nicer.