Translucent Pepper + Salt Mill

Aandersson

DIY plastic Pepper Mill designed by Aandersson
DIY plastic Pepper Mill designed by Aandersson
Translucent Pepper + Salt Mill

Design and photography by AANDERSSON
Published in Spring 2019

The ultimate form of this mill will be organic and somewhat unexpected, but thanks to the qualities of this plastic, it can be re-worked numerous times until you get the result you want. This roughly 8in (20cm) tall translucent salt + pepper mill can be assembled in a little over 1 hour with parts that cost less than 50 USD on average.

DIY plastic Pepper Mill designed by Aandersson
DIY plastic Pepper Mill designed by Aandersson
Assembly
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1     Crumple a few pieces of paper.
1     Crumple a few pieces of paper.
2     Wrap foil around the paper to create a shape roughly 10in (25cm) long and 1.75in (4cm) wide. The form can be as lumpy as you would like.
2     Wrap foil around the paper to create a shape roughly 10in (25cm) long and 1.75in (4cm) wide. The form can be as lumpy as you would like.
3     Place about 12oz of plastic pellets in a medium-sized bowl. If you would like color, add 1 color granule and 10 white granules. Immerse the pellets in boiling water and let sit until pellets are clear.
3     Place about 12oz of plastic pellets in a medium-sized bowl. If you would like color, add 1 color granule and 10 white granules. Immerse the pellets in boiling water and let sit until pellets are clear.
4     Remove plastic from the bowl with tongs or spoons. If color was added, knead the plastic by folding it on itself. Do this until the color is mixed thoroughly. BE VERY CAREFUL, the plastic will be hot and hot water may squirt out.
4     Remove plastic from the bowl with tongs or spoons. If color was added, knead the plastic by folding it on itself. Do this until the color is mixed thoroughly. BE VERY CAREFUL, the plastic will be hot and hot water may squirt out.
5     Flatten out into 2 squares: about 6in x 6in (15cm x 15cm) and 6in x 3.5in (15cm x 8cm)
5     Flatten out into 2 squares: about 6in x 6in (15cm x 15cm) and 6in x 3.5in (15cm x 8cm)
6     Add boiling water to large pan and place the 6in x 6in (15cm x 15cm) square (with coated butcher/baking paper underneath) into the pan to re-heat the plastic.
6     Add boiling water to large pan and place the 6in x 6in (15cm x 15cm) square (with coated butcher/baking paper underneath) into the pan to re-heat the plastic.
7     Place the end of the aluminum foil tube onto the 6in x 6in (15cm x 15cm) plastic and roll onto the tube.
7     Place the end of the aluminum foil tube onto the 6in x 6in (15cm x 15cm) plastic and roll onto the tube.
8     Re-heat the 6in x 3.5in (15cm x 8cm) plastic like in step 6. Place the end of the aluminum foil tube onto the plastic and roll onto the tube.
8     Re-heat the 6in x 3.5in (15cm x 8cm) plastic like in step 6. Place the end of the aluminum foil tube onto the plastic and roll onto the tube.
9     Push the plastic over the end of the tube as well. Make sure both plastic pieces are not touching.
9     Push the plastic over the end of the tube as well. Make sure both plastic pieces are not touching.
10     Remove all foil and paper from the two pieces. Hold one end of the larger piece in hot water until about 2.5in (6cm) is soft.
10     Remove all foil and paper from the two pieces. Hold one end of the larger piece in hot water until about 2.5in (6cm) is soft.
11     Place the mechanism inside so the end shown is not sticking out at all, and press the plastic around the mechanism so it is secure.
11     Place the mechanism inside so the end shown is not sticking out at all, and press the plastic around the mechanism so it is secure.
12     Re-heat the other end like in step 10 and make the opening a clean circle with the rod centered in the circle.
12     Re-heat the other end like in step 10 and make the opening a clean circle with the rod centered in the circle.
13     Re-heat the open end of the smaller piece.
13     Re-heat the open end of the smaller piece.
14     Firmly press the plastic around the small mechanism piece as photographed. Make sure the area near the mechanism piece is a smooth circle.
14     Firmly press the plastic around the small mechanism piece as photographed. Make sure the area near the mechanism piece is a smooth circle.
15     Fold heavy duty aluminum foil into a roughly 4in x 8in (10cm x 20cm) rectangle
15     Fold heavy duty aluminum foil into a roughly 4in x 8in (10cm x 20cm) rectangle
16     Roll it up loosely and place it inside the large plastic piece.
16     Roll it up loosely and place it inside the large plastic piece.
17     To give the exterior a smooth look, re-heat it slightly and smooth the outside by rubbing.
17     To give the exterior a smooth look, re-heat it slightly and smooth the outside by rubbing.
18     If you want a shorter mill, you can also cut the center metal piece with a metal file.
18     If you want a shorter mill, you can also cut the center metal piece with a metal file.
Index
Parts
Polydoh Moldable Plastic Pellets with Color Granules, 12oz
Quantity required: 1
CrushGrind Pepper, Salt and Spice Mill Mechanism, 195 mm (7.6 in) length
Quantity required: 1
Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
Tools
Coated Butcher or Baking Paper
Medium-sized Pot
Large Pan
Help Each Other

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