*Thursday 19th September 2024, 8.40am* | [Follow my work](https://buttondown.com/mimireyburn?tag=web). The first thing I do every day is make a coffee. For me, it's a kind of meditation. As I brew a new cup for a new day, I process the upcoming tasks that will bite me in the ass because I didn't do them yesterday. Despite how it sounds, I find it's a very peaceful process... except for trying to remove a single coffee filter paper from the packet. ![[IMG_8062.jpg| 400]] The first time I wrote this post I tried to justify why getting a coffee filter out of a packet disturbed me into the following process. But really, I have no excuse, and I don't think I need one: this is what I do. I find the little things that do the opposite of 'Spark Joy' and see if I can create something to fix them. I'm my own client and today's request is to restore peace to pouring the coffee. The problem has some key features: - Wrestling a single filter from a stack of 40 - Navigating the crinkly plastic packaging within the cardboard box - Losing track of how many filter papers are left - Making it 'Spark Joy' ![[Paper.Journal.67 1.png]] My vision was a simple holder that would live inside the cupboard door, keeping the filters secure and readily available. It needed to be minimal, allowing easy access and a clear view of the remaining filters. The design criteria were straightforward: - Minimal plastic - Wide enough to attach a command strip to the back - Securely hold the filters, preventing them from slipping through I created a first version in cardboard, manipulating the dimensions until I found a sweet spot I was happy with. Given they are triangular, the filter papers are smaller in two directions, so a straight-edged design gave too much opportunity for the papers to fall through. ![[IMG_8001.jpg | 400]] Finally, I landed on a shape that matched the profile of the filter papers, with just enough room to fit a command strip on the back. I drew it up in OnShape, loaded up my 3D printer and watched as the design came into the world. ![[IMG_8012.jpg | 400]] However, midway through the print, I accidentally disconnected the power from the printer (*bad design*). While apparently there's a setting that allows starting prints from where you left off, I hadn't opted-in to it (*bad design!!*) so I took the opportunity to inspect how my design had come out. The accident turned out to be happy, as the design was a bit big. I made a quick adjustment before starting a new print. ![[IMG_8016.jpg | 400]] 25 minutes later, the coffee filter holder was installed. The crinkle of the plastic packaging was gone and wrestling a single paper filter out was over. Peace was restored to my morning ritual. ![[IMG_8063.jpg | 400]] While I am fortunate to be able to 3D print things like this, a well-made cardboard version could bring me similar if not equal joy. Sometimes the little things make a big difference and the process is fun too. Speaking of, it's time to start the day. And make a coffee... > [!info] My Coffee Tech Stack > For anyone who is interested, my set-up is: > - [Aergrind](https://madebyknock.com/products/aergrind) Hand Grinder by knock > - Yellow [Ceramic V60](https://www.hario.co.uk/collections/hario-v60-coffee-drippers/products/hario-v60-ceramic-coffee-dripper-yellow-size-02) by Hario > - [Stove-top gooseneck kettle](https://www.hario.co.uk/collections/coffee-brew-kettles/products/v60-drip-kettle-buono-in-small) by Hario > - A [good mug](https://eotceramics.com/shop) --- You can find the files to make this on: [![[Pasted image 20240110213631.png | 100]]](<https://github.com/mimireyburn/3D_Files/blob/main/coffee_filter.stl>)