Model originally uploaded to Thingiverse at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5639089.

[Source code can be found here](https://github.com/chpoit/openscad-models/tree/master/cotton-holder)

The cotton "pads" have a diameter of 55mm. there is a 3mm gap on each side, so 61mm and down should fit without issue.

Multiple versions of the lid are available. You will probably have to trim the handle stub a little if your printer isn't super accurate. I "press fit" mine by turning and pushing, but you can always glue it in. I recommend a lot of walls/high infill for the handle.

I printed the holder part using vase mode with a 0.8mm nozzle and "40" bottom layers making the bottom ~3mm solid.

You do not need to use vase mode.

The lid and handle were also printed with a 0.8mm nozzle

if you print the lid and handle as separate parts you can avoid using supports

You can print this with basically any setting and any nozzle size. I used 0.8 instead of 0.4 to make the vase mode stronger, and the print faster. I would recomend going high-infill for the base just so that there is a little more weight, but you could also stick a heavy washer on the bottom if you think it's too light. 

Cotton Holder/dispenser

Model originally uploaded to Thingiverse at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4550501.

This is a press/mold I made to avoid having to roll the tapioca pearls when making bubble tea at home.

IMO, the 8mm pearls have the ideal size.

You can edit the mold fairly easily, and making the size_x/y values higher increases the amount of pearls automatically.

Both the top and bottom are included in the press.scad file. switch the boolean from true to false to switch which stl is generated.

## Print settings


I printed my mold at 22% infill using gyroid pattern with PLA at 200C.

## Usage: 

The tapioca pearl recipe I use is 3 parts tapioca starch and 1 part **warm/boiling** water. I sometimes have to go with a 9:4 or 9:5 ratio depending on humidity. 
I have more ease kneading the dough if it is sifted first.

Wrap both halves in plastic wrap and lightly cover the wrap with tapioca starch to make it not sticky.

When putting the pearl paste/dough in the mold, make sure it is not too thick, around 5-8mm, depending on the size of the mold.
You might have to add more water than usual to the tapioca starch/water mix to make the dough flow better in the mold. Make sure the dough is not sticky.

Once pressed, the pearls should tear  appart from one another fairly easily.

Cook the pearls in boiling water, or a water/sugar mix until they turn translucent, or until they have the proper mouth-feel (roughly 20 minutes for me). The amount of water and sugar does not matter, but all the pearls should be able to be submerged before they start floating. Brown sugar tastes better.

You can store the pearls in the water/sugar mix if you wish.

They should be eaten within 24h-36h, or they harden. You might be able to re-heat them slightly



Bubble tea pearl mold

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