Spigots are one of the most overlooked components in a lighting rig: you only notice them when you have the wrong one. A 16mm spigot with an M10 thread when your fixture takes M8, or a stand with a 29mm receiver when your accessory expects 16mm, can stop a rig in its tracks.
Doughty Engineering makes two main types of spigots that solve the most common compatibility problems in stage, studio and broadcast rigging. This guide explains what each one is, its exact specifications, and which to order for your setup. Both are available at MTN Shop.
What is a Spigot in Entertainment Rigging?
A spigot is a short cylindrical connector used to mount equipment onto a stand, bar, or rigging point. In entertainment rigging, 16mm has become the international standard diameter for lighting and production accessories, meaning most professional fixtures and accessories are designed to accept or fit a 16mm spigot.
Spigots come in two basic forms. A male spigot is a pin that inserts into a receiver. A female spigot is a receiver that accepts a male pin. Confusion between the two is the most common source of compatibility problems on set and on stage.
Common applications include attaching stage lighting fixtures to lighting bars, mounting accessories such as barn doors and gel frames to fixtures, connecting camera accessories to light stands, and adapting between different stand and bar diameters in studio and broadcast environments.
M8 or M10? Why the Thread Matters
Doughty's 16mm Solo Spigot is sold as two separate versions: one with an M8 female thread, one with an M10 female thread. They are not interchangeable, and choosing the wrong one is the single most common ordering mistake with this product.
M8 and M10 refer to the diameter of the bolt thread in millimetres. M8 (8mm) is common on smaller, lighter fixtures, particularly in broadcast and studio applications. M10 (10mm) is more common on heavier stage lighting fixtures. Always check your fixture's mounting specification before ordering. The two versions are not sold as a combined part.
The Doughty Spigot Range
Two products cover almost every spigot compatibility issue you'll run into: the 16mm Aluminium Solo Spigot for threaded fixture mounts, and the Stand Adaptor for bridging between stand diameters.
