DIY Pour-Over Coffee Maker
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019Move over Keurig! This pour-over coffee maker brews a mean cup o’ joe in an instant—and it takes up less counter space, too!
Materials & Tools
- 1×6 walnut board (approximately 3 ft.)
- Funnel
- 1/4 x 2-in. hanger bolt (2)
- 1/4 x 1/2-in. well nut (2)
- 1/4-in. flange nut (2)
- 1/4-in. hex nut
- 1/2-in. Forstner bit
- 2-1/2-in. hole saw
- Wood screw (2)
- Miter saw
- Drill/driver
- Nut driver or wrench
- Cutting board oil
- Cabinet hardware (optional)
Prep the Wood Pieces
Cut three pieces from the 1×6 walnut board: one 11-1/2-in. back piece, one 8-in. bottom piece and one 6-in. top piece. Lightly sand any rough edges.
Use a hole saw to cut a 2-1/2-in. hole in the top piece for the funnel. Be sure to center the hole between the sides and leave at least 1-1/2 in. of wood at the back for the hanger bolts. To avoid tearout, cut until the bit goes through the wood and then flip the piece over to finish cutting out the hole.
Drill pilot holes for the hanger bolts in the back edge of the top piece, 1 in. from each side. (A drill press is very useful for making these pilot holes perfectly straight.)
To screw in the hanger bolts, create a head by threading a hex nut and flange nut onto the bolt side. Lock the two nuts together tightly. Then use a nut driver or wrench to turn the head and screw the hanger bolts into the pilot holes.
Use a 1/2-in. Forstner bit to drill four holes in the back piece to make the coffee maker adjustable for standard and travel-size mugs. Mark the top set of holes 1 in. from the sides and 2 in. from the top. Mark the second set of holes 1 in. from the sides and 4 in. from the top.
Drill pilot holes for the cabinet hardware, if you chose to include a handle for storing filters, as shown.
Assemble the Coffee Maker
Clamp together the bottom and back pieces and drill pilot holes for the wood screws. I used a countersink bit, so the screw heads will be flush with the wood.
Lightly sand any rough areas on all wood pieces with fine-grit sandpaper; wipe off the dust. Use a clean cloth to apply a generous amount of butcher block oil or other food-safe finish, remember to get inside the holes, and then wait at least 20 minutes before wiping off any excess.
Screw together the bottom and back pieces with wood screws. Add the cabinet hardware to the back piece.
On the top piece, thread the well nuts onto the hanger bolts. Insert the bolts into the top or bottom set of holes in the back piece; then add flange nuts to the bolts at the back of the coffee maker to hold the top piece in place.
Finally, place the funnel in the hole in the top piece and get brewing!
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