Custom Coffee Tamper

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Problem

A strong desire to learn more about wood working, coupled with the stated need of a coffee tamper for an espress-obsessed friend led me to design and create a custom coffee tamper.

Outcome

This work in progress includes a hand turned handle and stainless steel base, designed toleranced and created with an ideal weight and ergonimic handling to tamp espresso grounds.

Design

Sketches were predonimately focused on dimensions in order to fit with ergonomic standards, as well as methods of mating the two components. Prototypes were 3D printed to evaluate an ideal design combination for the base and handle.

Build

Creating an operations sequence and determining the best method for mating were the most difficult processes. The first steps were to find a food safe and turnable material for the steel base, along witih picking a wood for the handle.
The operations sequence includes the manufacturing method, details of the mating process since it required modifying a hanger bolt.

Transitioning from the metal lathe to the wood lathe was a difficult transition. Learning about how to use pressure and angles to create my desired sihouette versus precise measurements allowed for a much more artistic experience.

Reflections

The strucuture is complete but the project is unfinished - standing and polishing must be completed to remove blemishes. Overall the project was a very fun learning process, as I had the opportunity to pursue mechanical engineering with a less precise and more "vibes based" approach. Learning to hand carve and design jars and small boxes were additional tasks that I enjoyed in the process!