Ultra light weight torch hoses, RIP Kent White

[czer...@rogers.com]

Just curious if anyone has a lead on the equivalent set of torch hoses that TM Technology’s  used to sell before their unfortunate ending. I’m certain I came across the equivalent years ago from a company across the pond, just cannot remember their name. Any leads here??? Thank you!

[Jon Norstog]

What happened?  I thought he was a young guy.

On Sat, Mar 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM czer...@rogers.com <czer...@rogers.com> wrote:

Just curious if anyone has a lead on the equivalent set of torch hoses that TM Technology’s  used to sell before their unfortunate ending. I’m certain I came across the equivalent years ago from a company across the pond, just cannot remember their name. Any leads here??? Thank you!

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[Skip Montanaro]

Just curious if anyone has a lead on the equivalent set of torch hoses that TM Technology’s  used to sell before their unfortunate ending.

I've come across Kevlar hoses on Amazon. Not going to check right now (trying to avoid it as much as I can), but as I recall, price was about $140.

Skip, Evanston IL 

[Alistair Spence]

On Sat, Mar 1, 2025 at 7:26 PM Jon Norstog <mutton...@gmail.com> wrote:

What happened?  I thought he was a young guy.

 Kent was 73. In this discussion thread, https://www.spiuserforum.com/index.php?threads/rip-kent.10484/ , someone mentions that he suffered an accident while working on his property. 

I never used the Kevlar hoses, a little delicate for my tastes, but I did like the heavier duty rubber hose that I got from Tinman/Kent. It was much lighter, and way more supple than regular red/green 1/4" Oxy/Acetylene hose, but still robust enough to withstand day to day wear and tear if you were reasonably careful. Used with a small aircraft style torch like a Victor J-28 the TM Tech rubber hose made for very easy flame manipulation/heat control.

RIP Kent.

Alistair Spence,

Seattle, WA

[Mark Bulgier]

I think I recall some talk that the family might continue the business, at least to some small degree.  Did I dream that or does anyone know anything?  Is the site kaput for good or...

Perhaps the family could be asked for the source where Kent bought his hose, if they aren't going to continue.  I'm out of town, away from my computer or I would look into it a little myself

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From: frameb...@googlegroups.com <frameb...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Alistair Spence <alspe...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 2, 2025 9:06 AM
To: Jon Norstog <mutton...@gmail.com>
Cc: czer...@rogers.com <czer...@rogers.com>; Framebuilders <frameb...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Frame] Ultra light weight torch hoses, RIP Kent White

 

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[Alex Meade]

I purchased a set of lightweight hoses on eBay to replace the set I had from TM Tech.  Here's the link.  I've had them about a year and they seem equivalent to the TM Tech hoses.

Alex

www.alexmeadetools.com

[jim g]

I found this with a quick google search -- This looks to be the same hose that TinMan Tech sold.

https://www.gpescientific.co.uk/brands/tm-technologies/product/tm-ultralight-welding-hose

Thanks!

-Jim G

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[czer...@rogers.com]

I think that’s just the Smiths Kevlar hose, Kent I think used to sell them, so not the same as the TM house brand ones I think.

[czer...@rogers.com]

Thanks, yeah I came across that as well…Why do I get the feeling that’s some sort of scam site? 

[Alistair Spence]

Jim,

Good find. That looks to be the exact hose that I had.

Iirc, it was Doug Fattic who recommended it, on this very list, back around 2005/6 or so. I liked mine so much that I bought a spare, for when my original wore out.

Alistair

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Alistair Spence,

Seattle, WA.

[Dan Chambers]

Probably heavier than the TM ones, but I use these rubber 3mm hoses with my heavier set up. https://www.weldingdirect.co.uk/Micro-Hose-With-HCV

Their not paired together like the TM, so not quite as slick, though.

I use Smith kevlar on the lightest torch.

All the best,

Dan Chambers

[AJ XOXO]

I might have some info that might be helpful.  Kent White was very well known in the aircraft and engineering circles in California.  There is an aerospace engineer in a small town near Lake Tahoe, California that has a side job making stuff for the jewelry and lamp workers.  He fabricates and sells improved versions of Meco Midget torch tips for jewelers.  I’ve heard that he knew Kent and was aware that the family was pursuing continuing Kent’s business, but that that may not be an option anymore.  I’m not sure. He is aware that there are a lot of jewelers, lampeworkers, etc. that no longer can easily get Meco torches and those black runner welding hoses that Kent was selling.  It’s something that he was apparently considering offering. His company is called ImpGen.  Do a Google search for ImpGen torch tips, or just go to ImpGen.com.

BTW, those lightweight black rubber welding hoses that Kent was selling through his website… they are a lot different from the Smith Keval hoses.  For one, the Smith hoses are like what $150 for about a 12 ft length of hose, whereas the lightweight black hoses that Kent was selling, albeit a little heavier, were on like $70 for approx the same length?  That’s a lot of extra money difference.  The Smith Kevlar hoses are lighter, but they are also more fragile.

Currently, he only has the Meco compatible multiport torch tips available for screwing onto the Smith Little torch and Meco Midget used by Jewelers, but I’ve heard that he might be making his multiport tips threaded so that his torch tips can thread onto other torches.  He also is aware of the lack of options of getting those black rubber hoses that allow of light-duty fabricators (jewelers, lamp workers, framebuilders, etc) really like.  Maybe he will have a solution for that.  I suggest getting in touch with him to see if he has any leads, or if he himself might bring this to market under his own label.  Anyway, the guy’s company is ImpGen.com.  You can call or email him off his website.  Hopefully, this is a lead that will help us find out where we can get a few of thse items that seems like only Kent White knew where to source from.

[czer...@rogers.com]

Thanks, great information! :)

[Skip Montanaro]

There is an aerospace engineer in a small town near Lake Tahoe, California that has a side job making stuff for the jewelry and lamp workers. He fabricates and sells improved versions of Meco Midget torch tips for jewelers.  I’ve heard that he knew Kent and was aware that the family was pursuing continuing Kent’s business, but that that may not be an option anymore.  I’m not sure. He is aware that there are a lot of jewelers, lampeworkers, etc. that no longer can easily get Meco torches and those black runner welding hoses that Kent was selling.  It’s something that he was apparently considering offering. His company is called ImpGen.  Do a Google search for ImpGen torch tips, or just go to ImpGen.com.

I contacted ImpGen. They have no plans to produce or source the hoses Kent White used to sell.

Skip, Evanston IL

[Hahn Rossman]

Skip-

Did he know what they were made from? Is anybody going to make them again?

Hahn Rossman

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[Skip Montanaro]

Did he know what they were made from? Is anybody going to make them again?

Didn't occur to me to ask. I just sent him a follow up email. Will let you know what I hear.

Skip

[Skip Montanaro]

They don't know the hose specs. Maybe someone with a set of the Tin Man Tech hoses can get some details from any printing on the hoses themselves. I assume the ends are straightforward (standard fittings and crimping).

Skip

[Mark Stonich]

I have a set, 7mm OD. The only lettering is ™ TECH. (I don't know how to keep it from superscripting ™ )

I had the Smiths hoses, light but fragile. 

[m-gineering]

Tin man hoses have no markings on them except for Tin Man printed on the
hose and two crimped on sleeves with the full Tin Man adress. No package
either, just a ziptie

Fittings are /A/ standard, but hey I've got a lathe and a torch ;)

> Skips/91ebbde8-425f-4d03-8920-e14929b2dd06n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

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Marten Gerritsen
Kiel Windeweer
Netherlands

[AJ XOXO]

Oh dang.  I was hoping the ImpGen guy was going to bring those black rubber welding hoses that TinManTech (aka Kent White) was selling.  I’d still like to get a pair.  Oh well.  Interestingly, he does have brand new Meco Midget torch tips.  Or at least, they are compatible with the old Midget torch tips.  The pictures look like the old Meco Midget torch tips.  Someone I know told me he was going to make his tips threaded so you can fit them onto an a small sized Victor torch like a Victor J-28 or a Smith AWA1. Or that he was going to make an adapter of some sort so that those torches can fit onto his ImpGen Meco midget-compatible tips.  That’s another thing I’m hoping for.  I know I can use Paige tips and an adapter to fit onto my Victor torch, but I’ve always liked the Meco Midget but never had opportunity to get one before they became obsolete.  And I do like his  heat sink design thing that he has connecting on the bottom of his torch tips. I’m wondering if anybody knows if he’s planning on making his tips available for framebuilders to use… what I mean, is that I wonder if he’s going to make his Meco midget-compatible torch tips threaded in a way so that framebuilders with Victor J-28 or Smith AWA1 torches can use them.