Jewelers Benchpin Forums

Hey as the title says I’m just wondering what the differences are between the hoke and meco midget as I know a lot of people prefer them over most of the other ones. Just wondering the pros and cons and differences and I was also wondering if there are hoke style tips for the meco midget as I’ve heard the hoke has a different style of tip that gives the flame a more fluffy flame as I’ve heard. just want others opinions as I already have a meco midget at the place I’m working so I’d like to just get hoke style tips for it if possible.

Familiarity, feel, preference. Those three are really the primary differences. You can probably find tips that accomplish the same effects for most types of torches. I would say that some torches are physically heavier than others so if you have to hold them throughout the day that can be a deciding factor alone.

Dealers choice ... or in this case, Jewelers choice.

To dive a little deeper, and I do mean a little ...

As I alluded to above, the Meco Midget and the Hoke torch both enjoy devoted followings, yet they cater to slightly different sensibilities. The Meco Midget is compact, ergonomic, and praised for its precise control. It usually feels substantial in the hand, a reassuring presence for those who prefer a sturdy yet responsive torch. It accommodates a range of tips, making it highly adaptable. It is a tool that rewards finesse, a scalpel, or perhaps a tanto, rather than a broadsword.

The Hoke, on the other hand, is the old workhorse of the trade. It is angular, no-nonsense, and unapologetically industrial in design. It is often favored for its broader flame options and its ability to deliver a “fluffy” flame, as you have so aptly described it. This characteristic is particularly useful for heating larger areas without creating hot spots, making it a popular choice for annealing and large-scale soldering operations.

Now, regarding your quest for Hoke-style tips for the Meco Midget, there is a challenge. The threading and design of the Hoke tips are not directly compatible with the Meco Midget, and adaptations, while theoretically possible, may not yield optimal performance. The Meco Midget is designed around a more focused and efficient flame structure, and modifying it to mimic a Hoke’s broader, softer flame could prove counterproductive.

However, as with most things, there are workarounds. Some jewelers experiment with tip modifications or alternative gas pressure settings to approximate the effect of a Hoke flame on a Meco Midget. If your goal is a softer, more dispersed flame, you might consider using lower pressure or a slightly larger tip size. Some suppliers may offer third-party attachments that claim to bridge the gap, though their effectiveness is often a matter of debate and I cannot attest for them.

Ultimately, the torch is but a means to an end. If the Meco Midget is the tool at your disposal, it would be wise to master its strengths rather than force it into the mold of another. The Hoke will always have its place, but the Meco Midget is not without its own considerable merits. The real question is not whether the Meco Midget can be made to behave like a Hoke, but whether you need it to.

If you, or anyone else has any questions about this, post them here for free ...