# STL346: Ramon's Rules for Jig Making

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2025-07-25
- Length: 56m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making

## Summary

Furniture maker and product designer Ramon Valdez discusses his journey from commercial construction to creating the Domino Doc jig, which has sold over 4,000 units. He shares his criteria for making jigs, his extensive use of neodymium magnets from KJ Magnetics, and his approach to marquetry using both hand tools and the Shapeoko Origin CNC machine. Valdez also reflects on the challenges of commission work, the importance of function in design, and his transition toward digital products to reduce physical inventory.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making#t=6) Introduction and Background
- [13:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making#t=789) The Domino Doc and Product Evolution
- [15:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making#t=940) Belt Sanders and Favorite Tools
- [19:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making#t=1157) Magnet Sourcing and Applications
- [25:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making#t=1503) Marquetry Techniques and CNC Integration
- [29:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making#t=1775) Jig Making Philosophy
- [33:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making#t=2031) Reflections on Craft and Progression
- [48:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making#t=2880) Commission Work and Client Dynamics

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Ramon Valdez (other)
- Domino Doc (product)
- KJ Magnetics (company)
- Shapeoko Origin (tool)
- Woodcraft (company)
- Shidoni Gallery (company)
- Fine Woodworking (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [466: This is My Workshop Trumpet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-12-19-466-this-is-my-workshop-trumpet) (Making It)
- [Episode 297: I’m not sick, just 53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-02-26-episode-297-im-not-sick-just-53) (Making It)
- [18: No Cool Cheap Screwdrivers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-09-17-18-no-cool-cheap-screwdrivers) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Episode 279: Making things for making things](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-10-02-episode-279-making-things-for-making-things) (Making It)
- [453: Half Made Zippy-Something](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-09-06-453-half-made-zippy-something) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-07-25-stl346-ramons-rules-for-jig-making. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Shop Talk Live.