Coffee Blocks: The Modular Espresso Tamping Station

Update 7/5/2025

I really appreciate all the support and attention you've all given to my work. I wanted to make something that would be useful for a lot of people, and the response has been far greater than I ever expected. That said, this model is provided for free for personal use under a non-commercial license. Please do not sell or trade the files or physical models of this object. If you like my work and want to show your support, please consider donating to a charity. My suggestion would be the Nature Conservancy. Maybe we can offset some of my many meters of wasted filament 🥲

Thank you!

Coffee Blocks:

Having trouble finding a tamping station for your setup? Maybe the off-the-shelf options don't fit your vibe. Maybe the 3D files you found to print don't have the right spaces for your tools. Maybe you printed something that fits your setup, but then you got a new, fancy-pants espresso tool and now there's no home for it in your old station. Well look no further because this is a fully customizable and modular system for designing a tamping station that perfectly fits your setup whether you want a home for 200 different tools, or you want to go minimalist and have just the bare necessities. Then, if you want to change up your storage because of a workflow or tool change but you don't want to reprint an entire new station, just print the new pieces and add them to your existing station.

Print your Blocks:

The system is based around an 80x80x80mm block that has male and female locking tabs that mate with tabs on other blocks. Some pre-designed blocks are provided, like a 51/54mm portafilter block, tamping tool block, and Umikot WDT block. You can also make your own with the blank block. The blank block can be modified to add storage for any item that can fit in that volume. If you need to fit something larger, then larger blank blocks can be made by simply working in multiples of 80mm. 

Print your Panels:

Once you've chosen the blocks you'd like for your setup, you'll then probably want to hide the exposed locking tabs on the blocks along the outer perimeter. For this, you use the side panels which fit onto the lock tabs. This part can get a little confusing, but you need to print 1 corner panel for each corner in your station. The corner panels have male and female tabs as well as an indicated direction which is the side that extends past the 80mm block a bit and forms the actual corner of the tamping station. Middle panels do not have this extension, and are used for blocks located between other blocks. Pay attention to what tab type (male or female) you're trying to cover so you print the right part. For example, when looking at the side of a tamping station that is 3 blocks wide, the left-most block will need a corner panel that extends to the left, the right-most block will need a panel that extends to the right, and the middle block will need a middle panel (see below).

Print Settings:

Mine printed fine at 0.2mm and 5% infill with PLA. I printed the portafilter block at 10% infill for a bit more peace of mind since that block will see some force. No supports needed except for maybe the Support Screw with Rest. 

Consider printing a few test pieces for fit testing. A couple of mating side panels would be a good choice.

For the knock box inserts, I recommend placing a coaster or something to cover the bottom surface since steaming hot espresso pucks will likely be sitting against it and some kind of barrier will help avoid heat warping of the plastic.

TL;DR Customizable and modular espresso tamping station for 51 and 54mm portafilters. Print the blocks you want based on the tools you want to hold, then lock the blocks together. Then print side panels to cover exposed locking tabs. See the example image for this. 

Update 3/15/2025

54mm Portafilter Block confirmed to work with 51mm portafilter for Delonghi Dedica EC685. Thanks to @Ivaylo_193915 for collaborating to test this.

Also added 9 Prong WDT Block for use with @jkim_makes_195591's 9 Prong Espresso Distribution Tool WDT

Update 3/19/2025

Added experimental 58mm Portafilter Block and side panels based on Rocket Espresso Mozzafiato. 74mm diameter hole, 70mm deep, should be compatible with all other blocks. If you can, measure your portafilter diameter (minus the tabs), and the depth from the bottom of the tabs to the bottom of the spouts to see if your portafilter will fit. As it is still experimental, please understand that it may not work with all portafilters. I don't have a 58mm portafilter to do testing myself so constructive feedback would be appreciated. Thanks to @Tito_Cen_3014832 for collaborating to test this.

Also added Blank Blocks with looser tolerances on the lock tabs in response to feedback that the original fit was too tight. I tested these parts and found I personally didn't like the looser fit, but it may help with differences between printers.

Update 4/6/2025

Added some step files. I had to convert these from stl and I have not tested them by modifying the files or printing them. I encourage printing a small number of test pieces before going all in.

Also added additional Lower Tolerance pieces.