Custom tooling for real workshops
Good jigs and fixtures save time, reduce errors and improve consistency. The problem is that custom tooling has traditionally required machining — expensive, slow, and only economical at scale. 3D printing changes the calculation entirely.
A drill guide that would cost hundreds to machine can be printed in PETG for a few pounds. A custom clamp for a specific profile takes hours, not weeks. And if the design needs adjusting, you iterate and print again rather than sending it back to the workshop.
What we print
- Drill guides and hole jigs — Ensure consistent hole placement across multiple workpieces
- Assembly fixtures — Hold components in the correct position during gluing, welding or fastening
- Inspection gauges — Go/no-go gauges and reference templates for quality checking
- Spacers and shims — Precise dimensional control for assembly tolerances
- Cable management — Custom routing clips, saddles and conduit guides
- Weld positioners — Hold parts at the correct angle for consistent weld quality
- Marking guides — Consistent layout templates for repeated marking operations
Why PETG for tooling?
Workshop tooling takes a beating. It gets knocked around, exposed to cutting fluids, left in hot vehicles, and used by people who aren't necessarily careful with it. PLA would be a liability — it softens at 60°C, gets brittle with moisture, and doesn't handle impact well.
PETG is a much more sensible choice for workshop applications. It handles temperatures up to ~80°C, resists oils and most cutting fluids, has good impact resistance, and maintains its dimensional accuracy in damp environments.
Dimensional accuracy for jigs
Our Bambu Lab printers hold tolerances of ±0.2 mm for most features, which is adequate for many jig applications. For tighter tolerance requirements, fine (0.12 mm) layer height helps, as does careful design orientation — features printed parallel to the bed are more accurate than those printed vertically.
For very tight tolerance work, we recommend designing in a small allowance and testing with a single print before committing to a batch. We're happy to advise on what's achievable for your specific application.
Production runs of tooling
If you need multiple copies of the same jig — for a production line, multiple workstations, or a spares set — we handle low volume production batches of 1–50 units at consistent quality. All pieces in a batch are printed to the same specification.
Parts like this that we've already printed
Real parts from our own product range — designed, printed and shipped from our Mildenhall workshop.
Makita 18V four-battery holder
Bracket & mount · Black PETG
★ 5.0 Amazon rating
VW Transporter T6 twin cup holder
Automotive fitting · Black PETG
★ 5.0 Amazon rating
Ninja Woodfire grill replacement knob
Replacement part · Black PETG
Ready to get your price?
Upload your STL and get an instant quote based on your file's actual geometry. No account needed, takes about 30 seconds.