West 1 Castings ltd.

21/10/2026

10/09/2026

The humble sprue, more important than you might think. Let’s talk about it!

Sprues are one of those parts of the casting process that can be easy to underestimate and sometimes, we know they’re not exactly where you’d like them to be!

But there’s a lot more to sprue placement than simply choosing somewhere convenient.

The position of the sprue plays a huge part in how the metal flows into the piece. If it’s not placed correctly, a piece may not fill properly, come out with holes or porosity, or have other casting issues that can affect the final result.

That’s why we spend a lot of time looking at each individual piece and carefully deciding where the sprue should go. We consider the shape, thickness, detail and how the metal needs to flow to give the best possible chance of producing a clean, successful casting.

So if you ever look at a sprue and think “why on earth did they put it THERE?”… there’s almost certainly a reason!

It might not always be the most obvious (or aesthetically pleasing) choice, but good sprue placement is an important part of getting the best possible result for your piece.

We promise, we’re not just sticking them wherever they fit!

26/08/2026

We will be closed next Monday, the 31st August, for the bank holiday.

Back open on Tuesday the 1st September as normal. Any work dropped off after 1pm yesterday will not be ready until Tuesday 1st September after 10:30am.

Any work dropped off from today until the end of the week will not be ready to collect until Thursday 3rd September after 10:30am.

The next platinum cast will be next Wednesday with all other metals.

Wishing all of our customers a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend! ☀️

06/08/2026

A quick reminder about our casting collecting times✨

To maintain the exceptional quality our platinum castings are known for, we run an additional platinum cast every Tuesday.

Please take a moment to check the collection times in this post before visiting and have the name your order was booked under ready when you arrive.

Following these times helps our team keep collections running smoothly and ensures we can have your orders ready as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Disclaimer - collection times may vary due to unforeseen circumstances

22/07/2026

Receiving feedback from experienced professionals in the jewellery industry means so much to our team.

Knowing we are trusted for our quality, fast turnaround and friendly service is what we strive for everyday!

Thank you Helen C Walls for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review ✨

01/07/2026

Looking for a quick way to estimate your casting costs? We’ve got you covered! ✨

Our handy conversion chart is a great guide for estimating carved waxes and metal masters using our most commonly cast metals. It's the same method we use as the starting point for our own quotes.

A few things to keep in mind:
• Components under 1g are subject to a small component charge of £2.00 per piece + VAT.
• Silver, Brass and Bronze don't have a standard casting charge (CC). Simply email us the weights, photos and dimensions of your items, and we'll provide an accurate casting quote.
• For CAD quotes, we'll need the metal weight generated by your CAD software. CAD quotes will always include design and print charges, in addition to the standard metal and casting charges. Please email our CAD team for these quotes.

If you'd like to use the chart as a guide, just get in touch for the current daily metal price.

Please note that all quotes are estimates only and may vary due to sprue requirements, daily metal price fluctuations, and other factors specific to your job. To ensure you receive the most accurate price, we always recommend contacting us directly for a quotation.

29/06/2026

This week we're looking at one of our favourite casting metals, 18ct White Gold.

We use a high-palladium, nickel-free 18ct white gold casting grain, made from 100% recycled gold. Its higher palladium content gives it a naturally bright white colour, meaning our white gold doesn't need rhodium plating to achieve its beautiful finish. The alloy is also iridium refined to help minimise porosity, producing clean, high-quality castings with excellent detail.

With its higher melting point, this alloy delivers reliable, consistent results throughout the casting process.

Using 100% recycled gold means we can help reduce the demand for newly mined precious metals, whilst still producing the high quality castings we are known for.

24/06/2026

One of the best parts of what we do is supporting customers at every stage of their casting journey.

Whether you've been casting for years or you're sending us your very first piece, we're always happy to help.

Receiving feedback like this from a customer who is new to lost wax casting makes our day!

19/06/2026

They don't make these anymore, so when one appeared on eBay we had two choices:

1. Let someone else buy it.
2. Send the boss on a 400-mile round trip to Devon.

Guess which option we chose..

The new (old) press is now installed and making hot rubber moulds once again 🔥

15/06/2026

✨ Metal Mondays ✨

Welcome back to Metal Mondays, our weekly series where we take a closer look at the precious metals we love working with and what makes each one special.

This week, we're taking a closer look at 18ct Yellow Gold.
Made from 75% pure gold, 18ct yellow gold is prized for its rich, warm colour and luxurious appearance. It offers the perfect balance between beauty and durability, making it an excellent choice for fine jewellery that's designed to be worn and treasured for years.

The casting grain we work with is made from 100% recycled gold, giving new life to existing precious metal without compromising on quality. It provides a reliable, consistent cast and flows beautifully into intricate designs, making it ideal for bringing detailed pieces to life.

We love working with 18ct yellow gold because of its timeless elegance, beautiful depth of colour, and the way it elevates every design. Whether it's a bespoke engagement ring, a statement piece, or an heirloom in the making, 18ct yellow gold always feels special.