DIY French Press

Making a good cup of coffee when you only have access to hot water means using an "Infuser Device", a "Filter/Strainer", or what is commonly called "A French Press"( AFP ), or the "Cowboy Method" of using boiling water and waiting 10 minutes or more until the coffere grinds absorb water and settle to the bottom of the container.

I was searching for a French Press on the Internet and then realized I can make one for about $5 using products from the local discount store.

Scissors, Needle and Thread, Screw Driver,
Plastic Food Bowls, Nylon 1/4-20 x 1" Machine Screw, Brass or Plastic Washers,
Nylon Spacers 1/4" ID x 1/4" L(2),
Rigid Drinking Straw with lip on one end and with an I.D. so that the 1/4-20 screw fits snugly,
Round Scrubby Sponge slightly larger then
the top diameter of the container,
Plastic Sport Cup,
Silicone Straw( optional )

The coffee maker container or cup should be round with non taper at the bottom. The cup must be hot water resistant and the opaque nutrition shake sport cups work well.

I used a Sport fitness cup that cost about $1.50 but the cup I found is not round and tapers at the bottom. Better to use a non-tapered round cup.

I came across a Round Scrubby Sponge at a discount store. Cost about $1. The sponge should be slightly larger then the largest diameter of the cup. Using pointy scissors put a hole through the center for the plunger rod.
Also, if there is a seam on the side, use needle and thread and re-stitch the seam so it doesn't open up during use.

Using lids from two plastic food containers cut out circular discs
of diameter approximately the container smallest ID - 1/2" so that there is a 1/4" gap around the container wall and disc. Put about six equally spaced holes in both disc using a hole punch. Use the point tip of the scissors to make the center hole for the plunger rod(straw). The straw should fit snugly in the hole.

I used a rigid straw from another plastic drink container. It was shaped like an inverted light bulb and the straw had a lip on the end to prevent it from pulling out of the lid. This lip is very important and you can trim the small length of straw below the lip or ridge with the scissors.

Place a washer on the Nylon machine screw then slide a plastic disc on top of that. Next push the round scrubby on top of the bottom disc. Then force two 1/4" Nylon spacers down the machine screw into the center of the round scrubby It's a sponge so pull on it a bit and force the spacers into the sponge.
The spacers will prevent over-squishing of the sponge when you tighten the screw into the straw. Next place the top disc on the the scrubby followed by a washer. Then screw the assembly into the straw. The snug fit will allow the machine screw to pull the top and bottom discs closer together. The lip or ridge in the straw stops the washer from slipping up the straw. If the screw is too long use a hacksaw blade and shorten it. You need to find a rigid straw with an ID slightly smaller then the 1/4-20 screw OD.
Lastly, trim the straw length so you can put the lid on the cup.
Voila, French Press plunger.

Voila, French Press plunger.

Use the pointy part of the scissors and machine two holes in the lid.
Slide a plastic Quik Tie through the holes making sure the QT connector is on the inside of the lid.
Adjust the size of the loop and trim off the excess.

Fill the cup with boiling water and add coffee. Two or Three table spoons__experiment.
Note: The "Quick Tie" around the top of the container for the "Vertical Quick Tie Loop", this method didn't work. The two holes in the lid with one vertical "Quick Tie" works better. Use "Silicone" to seal the "QT" to the lid.

Let the coffee brew for a few minutes or more then insert the plunger and gently push the grinds to the bottom of the cup. Sugar and creamer to taste.