In 1946, Del Sr. began working for Airco (Air Reduction Sales Co. of New York) and became a member of the Airco development team developing a new welding process known as "MIG" (for Metal Inert Gas Welding), a process that was faster than conventional "TIG" (for Tungsten Inert Gas Welding), and also achieved the high temperatures needed to effectively weld Aluminum. "The Philadelphia Naval Yard was looking for something new to weld aluminum and that's how this process came about."

From 1950 to 1958 Del Sr. was in the group that was developing the MIG welding process. During this period Del Sr. traveled the whole United States, to Boeing, Lockheed, Ford, General Motors, installing equipment, showing them how to use it. In doing so Moerke saw all of the competitions equipment and the jobs that were required. He saw welding guns that worked for 15 minutes, and then needed to be shut down for service. That's when the thoughts of developing a better torch began to creep across his mind. He developed the gun sitting in the motel at nights. It took him two years to come up with the design for a pistol gun that was fully water-cooled. Once designed fabricating the gun was no problem. Del Sr.'s hobby was building live steam locomotives and he had a full compliment of machinery in his basement. That's where he built the original units.

Del Moerke Sr. obtained his patent, left Airco in 1968, began manufacturing on a small scale, and incorporated as D/F MACHINE SPECIALTIES, INC., in Lombard, IL. Del Sr. new that he could count on his family, so Wayne ran the Machine shop which made all of the parts included in the torches and assemblies. Del Jr. engineered product, was in charge of assembly and customer support. Beverly was the shipping agent, Karen inside sales, the office manager and corporate secretary. Fern (Del Sr.'s wife) helped with all aspects of the company from assembly to cleaning the shop.

Moerke's contacts, his knowledge of the industry and the competition all combined to make the gun something of an overnight success. Instead of being shut down for maintenance after 15 minutes of steady welding, D/F guns just ran; they could work them to death.

In 1978 D/F moved from the Chicago area to the newly built plant in North Mankato, Minnesota. The company soon grew from six family members to 14 employees with 3 CNC machinists and grandchildren.

Around 1985, Moerke noticed robotic welding beginning to appear in Caterpillar and John Deere plants in Illinois and Iowa. One drawback of the robotic welders that Moerke saw was that they required a two hour shutdown for maintenance. Utility lines running into the gun for gas and water and the welding wire had to be stripped down and then a new gun had to be re-harnessed and re-positioned. All this was very time consuming and he felt something new was needed to do a better, quicker job.

D/F MACHINE SPECIALTIES, INC. designed a Docking Spool, and a Posit Ring, both trademarked so his gun simply snaps into the wrist of the robot and is instantly positioned to resume welding. This change over takes 45 seconds rather than the standard 2 hours.

D/F MACHINE SPECIALTIES, INC. has a tremendous reputation and an excellent product. D/F is the only manufacturer in the U.S that has a 1000/amp MIG and TIG barrel that can run 1/4 inch aluminum wire for MIG welding and 3/8 inch diameter tungsten for the TIG process.

After 40 years in manufacturing of MIG and TIG welding products and consumables, Del Moerke Jr. and son Steve Moerke have purchased D/F MACHINE SPECIALTIES, INC. from the other Moerke family members. Since this North Mankato, MN business will remain in the family, it will continue its long tradition of producing superior welding products and its reputation for outstanding customer service. Del Moerke Jr. and Steve Moerke plan to continue this family tradition. According to Steve Moerke, vice-president, "The purchase of D/F MACHINE SPECIALTIES, INC. ensures that D/F's loyal customers can continue to receive the quality and service they are accustomed to, while new D/F customers will benefit from alternative superior welding products and consumables."

D/F MACHINE SPECIALTIES manufactures MIG & TIG Water/Air-Cooled, Semi-Automatic, Automatic, Robotic Welding Guns and Machine Barrels, Euro-Connectors, Mounting Arms, Brackets, Utility Stations, Tips, Nozzles, Hoses, Liners, Inlets, and Adapters.

D/F's MIG & TIG equipment has been used exclusively by Lincoln Electric, Miller Welding, and ESAB for 40 years. Since the inception of robots in welding, D/F's robotic barrels have been used on all robotic manufacturers' equipment including Fanuc, ABB, and Motoman robots. D/F is a lifelong member of the AWS (American Welding Society) and GAWDA (Gases and Welding Distributors Association), and has had MIG and TIG innovations consistently featured in the Welding Journal.

Whatever manufacturing industry you are in - whether automotive, aerospace, agriculture, railroad or cryogenics; whether you use MIG, TIG, Air Cooled or Water Cooled; whether your job is aluminum, steel, stainless steel, hard, cored, or inconel wire - we are ready to help with your welding applications.  

To celebrate the new ownership, D/F has released its new Twin Wire 1200 Amp Water Cooled Machine Barrel, its new Water Cooled Gasless Overlay Machine Barrel, and its new water-cooled-to-the-tip 750amp power cable barrel; this barrel has been tested and run continuously at 750amps and is outperforming many expensive tandem wire systems. D/F is one of the only manufacturers in the U.S that has 1000 amp MIG and TIG barrels that can run 1/4 inch aluminum wire for MIG welding and 3/8 inch diameter tungsten for the TIG process. A unique feature to D/F torches and barrels is that they are fully repairable, and a service they offer to all of their customers.

If you have any questions or would like to know pricing and availability contact Del or Steve Moerke at 507-625-6200.