Introducing the Modular Portafilter!

I had a long list of priorities when designing the Billet Basket but one big goal was to have the highest hole coverage area. With the ModFilter, every last bit that could not utilized previously is now fully accessible. The entire 58.8mm bore is fair game!

This project started at the infancy of fancy baskets (before it got flooded with less than fancy baskets) and it was hard to keep up socially let alone acquiring them all to try. The goal this time was to create something capable of swapping the bottoms so you could more accessibly try new patterns, hole shapes and sizes while staying true to the SWORKSDESIGN philosophy. It was realized early on however that such a goal would come with a hefty initial price tag.

The main body is machined from a massive block of 17-4 stainless steel and heat treated just like my baskets - which means that it is highly magnetic and extremely strong. Inside, you'll find o'rings to seal the body to screens and alignment pins for keeping the screens centered. The pins also allow for screens to be stacked. One common complaint about fancy baskets is due to the increased thickness and non-tapered holes, they can clog more easily as coffee fines must squeeze through a long tunnel to escape. Stacking screens attempts to mimic a tapered hole (without expensive tooling for mass manufacturing) by using a thin initial screen with the nominal hole size followed by a much thicker screen with much larger holes (see 4th and 5th macro photos). This adds stiffness but also massively reduces clogging as once the coffee fines squeeze through the initial thin screen, it is free to flow down stream.

The screens are attached by a single centerlock ring to squeeze and seal everything together. It is machined from aluminum and hard anodized like pans and baking trays; this prevents galling of the stainless steel threads. A custom socket is included but requires a 1/2" drive socket wrench or breaker bar. Being that the entire 58.8mm bore is utilized, the centerlock has a slight funnel geometry to ensure the liquid flowing out actually makes it into your espresso cup. A spouted centerlock is available with a 1/4" NPT thread so you can attach various accessories like a shot splitter, sensors, OPV, needle valve, etc. I have been playing with very coarsely ground coffee under high pressure at low flow rates - a pressurized immersion with flow control. The faux crema that comes out would make your Nespresso jealous!

The lay flat square handle is attached to a swiveling adapter. The swiveling nature let's you lock the handle in at the preferred angle so that it can be perfectly perpendicular to your machine or to suit your ergonomic requirements. This also allows for it to be used on more machines like Victoria Arduino with non-symmetric lugs.

Capacity of the main body is 18/22g but spacer rings are available to increase the volume upwards of 38g.

As for the screens, they no longer need to be laser cut so the cost is significantly reduced! This makes it much easier to play with different options and as such, it comes with 4 different types of screens. It's like buying 4 baskets but cooler! Some of these types (such as the Reduced flow) are multiple screens that can be stacked to achieve higher stiffness. The Max Flow screen features a 23% open area where stamped baskets only have a ~2% open area!

Key Features

• High strength heat treated 17-4 stainless steel and hard anodized aluminum construction
• Full 58.8mm hole coverage area
• Affordable screens with plentiful options down the road
• Screens come in and out by a single centerlock ring
• Screens can be stacked
• 18/22g capacity (up to 38g capacity can be realized with a spacer ring)
• Highly magnetic
• Highly customizable (screens, centerlock accessories, spacers, step down bushings, etc)
• Adjustable angle lay flat style square handle (attached with M6 bolt)
• Handle adapter angle adjusted with included nut driver
• Blasted finish available
• 49mm step down conversion available
  • Reducer bushing is machined from PPS
  • New centerlock included
  • Funnel is the same as the one sold with my Step Down Billet Basket so you can reuse that if already own one

Anything new this batch?

By request, a Step Down ModFilter was created

Compatibility

Since the handle angle is adjustable, it will work with most machines that share the same/similar lugs as La Marzocco/Victoria Arduino portafilters. The lugs are the same as my Bottomless Portafilters.

Known incompatible list:

• E61 groups

What's Included?

See second photo

• Portafilter head with bottomless centerlock and adjustable handle mount
• Centerlock socket (1/2" drive)
• Handle
• Reduced Flow screen set (~925 Hole)
• Standard Flow screen set (~1400 Hole)
• High Flow screen set (~3150 Holes)
• Max Flow screen Ver. 1 (~12700 Holes)
• Nut driver
• Replacement o'ring seal set
• Replacement screen alignment pin set

What's not included?

• 1/2" drive socket wrench or breaker bar