Bear coaster set

The story

A set of coasters that put themselves away. Each one is a bear face with a 2.5 mm drip lip round the edge, so condensation stays on the coaster and off the table.

The holder follows the bear’s outline and holds four coasters flush with its top. A finger notch at the front lets you lift one out, and a little bear stands on the back wall. Fuzzy skin on the outside makes it look plush.

Six bear-head charms press into the holder’s sides. The fit took five rounds of test prints: 0.16 mm per side is snug, presses in by hand and holds upside down.

Filament recipe

• 4 coastersPLA Basic, Brown · 142 g
• HolderPolyTerra PLA, Pastel Banana · 41 g
• Inner earsPolyTerra PLA, Pastel Banana · 1.9 g
• MuzzlesPolyTerra PLA, Cotton White · 1.9 g
• Eyes + nosesPolyTerra PLA, Charcoal Black · 0.6 g
• 6 charmsPLA Basic, Brown

Tips from the workshop

What we learned while designing it, so your print works first time.

1. What happened: A fully flat coaster let condensation run off onto the table.

   What fixed it: Added a 2.5 mm drip lip with a rounded top. The base got thinner so four still sit flush in the holder.

2. What happened: The first charms (0.15 mm play) were too tight: one barely went in, one never did.

   What fixed it: Five rounds of fit tests in the real holder. 0.16 mm per side won: a firm push, and it holds upside down.

   Learn: What's a nozzle? →

3. What happened: Fuzzy skin roughened the charm sockets too.

   What fixed it: A no-fuzz modifier over each socket. The charms hide those smooth patches.