Collab
Ceramic Studio Jig
Open jigs shared with ceramic studios for repeatable plate and vessel blanks.
Specs
| Guide | Hardwood |
|---|---|
| File | DXF shared |
| Tolerance | ±1 mm |
| Batch | Small run |
| Lead | 1-2 weeks |
| Care | Oil lightly |
Who uses the Ceramic Studio Jig
Ceramic Studio Jig is requested by ceramics studios, art schools, and independent potters who regularly need repeatable plate or vessel blanks. It’s a practical solution for spaces where several hands share the wheel. We often see it on shelves in teaching studios and artist workshops in Joburg, lowveld studios, and coastal collectives from Durban to Hout Bay. Lodges with in-house pottery corners, coworking creative spaces, and even some wine estates with community art programmes have put these jigs to work. Wherever production needs to stay consistent, the jig finds its home.
What arrives with the Jig set
Each set includes a formed hardwood guide, precision-cut and oil-finished, along with DXF files emailed for your own CNC or laser-cut blanks. The guide itself sits at 340 x 340 mm for plates or 210 x 210 mm for vessels, with a standard thickness of 30 mm. Tolerance is kept within ±1 mm. The hardwood is selected for density and wear, most often kiaat or maple, with a smooth edge profile for easy clay release. Average lead time sits at 1-2 weeks from order, as each jig is made to request. Care is simple: oil the timber lightly after every big batch. The kit’s compact enough for a light bakkie delivery or quick courier drop.
- Hardwood guide (pre-finished)
- DXF file for digital fabrication
- ±1 mm repeatability
- Care notes
How local conditions shape the Jig
In Cape Town, kiln rooms often face damp air and gusty southeaster winds. We use well-sealed hardwoods, as open-grain timber can swell or warp in coastal studios. Joburg or Karoo studios, on the other hand, deal more with dust and sudden dry heat. Here, we recommend a slightly harder oil finish to keep edges crisp and the grain tight. For Durban’s humidity, regular oiling is key and we suggest a denser wood if daily use is expected. High-traffic workshops in schools or shared studios might want to add a grip strip below for bench stability. If your space has direct sunlight, we’ll pre-treat the hardwood against UV fade before shipping out.