Spice Camp: Ultra Portable Spice Dispencer

The purpose of this project is to build a shock resistant 4-spice dispenser suitable for camping and hiking. The dispenser must be easy and cheap to build. Because I like things that are modular, I made it modular so that you can change the size of the dispencer every time you need it. The name of the final product is "SPICE CAMP"!

Step 1: Materials

For the plexiglass pieces:

• Source file for the laser cutter (attached to this step)

For the assembly:

• Metal rod
• Hacksaw
• Plier
• 2 hex nuts
• Open-end wrench
• Laser cutter plexiglass

Step 2: Lasercut the Plexiglass

For this step I used web lasercut service http://www.ponoko.com

They ship all over the word and offers a lot of materials and sizes.

The source i attached to step 1 are ready to be used for that site.

I printed 2 pieces of different color and thickness. I noticed that cuts on the 10mm plexiglass where not so precise and seem to be burned (I think due to the thickness of the material). The 3mm piece has instead very precise cuts. I suggest you to use plexiglass of thickness between 3 and 6 mm (0.11 - 0.22 inches).

Step 3: Prepare the Rod

Screw one nut onto the top of the rod.
TIP: you can use the plier to fasten the rod while you screw the nut with the wrench

Choose the size of your spice dispencer and cut the rod to that side.

Step 4: Assembly the Spice Dispencer

Starting with one of the two pispencer edges (in the first image I used the one with the big hole) start assembly all the plexiglass layers.

Before closing the dispencer you shoul add a cutted rod to maintain all the plexiglass slices aligned. You can se it in the fourth image.

Step 5: Use It

Before closing the dispencer fill it with 4 different spices you like

When needed, rotate one of the side of the SPICY CAMP to get acces to the spices. Note that the amount of spice that will flow bepend on the side you rotate (see image).

Comments

[derte84]

I'll use it for MILK + COFFEE + SUGAR. Soon some photos

[mrmiran]

You said you kept it "modular" so you can change the size as needed. But since the sheets are not glued together, and there are no ridges to make them "seat" against one another, don't the spices leak out between them? Just wondering. I'm probably just missing something. Also, assuming someone was happy with just one size, would gluing the sections help?

[derte84]

Yes, glue will help. I should redesign it in order to be 3d printed. This way I could add a groove on the border to avoid spices to leak

[PS118]

He who controls the Spice controls the universe!

[derte84]

Dune is a great film!

[fogman103]

I read the book when I was 13.

[Lokisgodhi]

The spice must flow!

[Punkguyta]

You don't clearly show how to operate this thing!

[derte84]

I'll soon add a step for this, THANKS!

[Punkguyta]

Hey thank you, I'm a spice lover myself and I just can't seem to get away with not putting at least salt on my food (hey I'm young right?), and when I saw this I thought, wow I'd like to make that. But I just don't understand how you dispense out of it, does it crush the spices or do you put it in pre-ground?? These are some rather serious questions I would like to know, and with that I end this with a Lol and a thanks :P

[sgsidekick]

Don't know if the author got back to you or not, but the little hole in the top of the dispenser is where the spice would come out. I would assume you filled your spices into each of the 4 compartments before screwing the top on. Then just rotate the top so the holes are over the compartment you want, and shake it out like a salt shaker. When the holes are aligned with the point, then they are over the solid little circle underneath, thus "closing" the spice shaker. That a bit more clear?