Swiss Torch in the UK?

Hi all,

I need some advice on where to find a “Swiss Torch” in the UK. I am
considering buying a propane/oxy torch setup for working with silver
and small amounts of gold. I will want a torch that can develop with
me, as at the moment I am only doing silver soldering etc but in
future will want to do casting so need a torch that can handle that.
From what I can see the Swiss Torch is a high quality one that you
can get casting heads for at a later stage. Do you have any
recommendations for where I can buy one? I have seen them at Otto
Frei in the US but am concerned that the bottle connections won’t be
the same for the ones I would use here in the UK. Since they are
presumably made in Switzerland surely I must be able to find them
over here?

I am also considering the “Little Torch” but am not sure how good
this would be for casting/melting metal.

Would appreciate your help! Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Carin

Hi Carin,

I am in the UK. Personally I don’t like propane/oxy for silver or
gold. I prefer propane/compressed air. The little torch looks ok for
small work, jump rings, soldering findings etc. You could try the
following for torches. Cookson’s in Hatton Garden, Rashbel in Hatton
Garden, H S Walsh in Beckenham, Suttons tools in Birmingham.

I hope that helps.
Richard

From what I can see the Swiss Torch is a high quality one that you
can get casting heads for at a later stage. 

Carin, I can’t tell you anything about your real question - where to
get one in the UK. I have had the Swiss torch for around 3 years
now. Best torch I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot of them…

Hi Carin

I am UK based too. I purchased my torch from Bijoutil in Switerland

You can purchase the torch with flexible lines already attached
complete with UK standard fittings - its quite a bit more expensive
than the basic torch handle but worth the convinience. Bijoutil are a
great company and speak excellent english so just email them with any
queries you might have.

regards
mike kersley

Thanks all for replies and endorsements for the Swiss torch, much
appreciated.

I would love to hear what people who have tried both the Swiss torch
and Smith’s Little Torch think of them in comparison, which one do
you prefer?

Thanks to Mike for the suggestion of Bijoutil in Switerland, I have
now emailed them for prices. What size tips would you guys suggest I
get? Some suppliers include 3 tips but I haven’t been able to work
out which sizes.

Cheers,
Carin

The little torch looks ok for small work, jump rings, soldering
findings etc. 

I know the Little Torch has its limitations, but it’s a lot more
versatile than that! There are some naysayers of the Little Torch on
Orchid, but there are also many fans and regular users, and I’m sure
they solder larger things than just jump rings and findings - I
certainly do.

No, it’s true it won’t do a big melt if you’re into casting, but
many folks have more than one torch. I can use my horrible big
welding torch if I ever want to cast largish amounts of metal.

Helen
UK

Hi again all,

I was wondering if someone could advice me on which tips I should get
for the Swiss torch. I want to use them to solder anything from small
jump rings and earposts to large bangles, so can you suggest which
tip(s) I should get as a startup? I will be wanting to melt silver
for casting later but will probably get a casting head at a later
date.

Cheers,
Carin