Timemore Autospin WDT Tool – automatic coffee distribution tool for 58 mm baskets
You set it on the portafilter, and beneath the open top, twelve fine needles quietly trace their paths through the freshly ground coffee.
The Timemore Autospin is a motorized WDT tool. It breaks up clumps in the grounds and distributes them evenly in the basket before you tamp – no button, no stirring by hand.
What happens in the basket
Freshly ground coffee forms small clumps. As the shot runs, the water takes the path of least resistance: where the coffee bed is looser, it flows through faster and extracts more there, less elsewhere. Particle size and uniformity determine the quality of the extraction, which is why the grounds are distributed before tamping. This technique is called WDT.
In the Autospin, twelve needles 0.3 mm in diameter take on this job. They move along a fixed planetary path, reach 22 mm deep into the coffee bed and automatically alternate between clockwise and counterclockwise. This is meant to break up clumps and peaks without centrifugal force pressing the grounds against the rim of the basket, as can happen when you stir quickly by hand.
It starts on contact. When the Autospin sits on the portafilter, the cycle begins; lift it and it stops, leave it in place and it runs to the end on its own. Four legs center the device on 58 mm baskets with straight walls and protect the needles when it stands on the counter. Through the open top you can watch the movement – a small moment of anticipation, and anticipation is part of the pleasure: dopamine is released while you are still looking forward to it, not only with the first sip.
By hand or with a motor
Nobody needs a motorized WDT tool. A few fine needles and a steady hand reach the same goal, and many wonderful espressos are made exactly that way. The Autospin does the stirring for you and makes the routine the same every morning. Whether that is worth something to you is your call – you want it or you don't, and both are fine.
No espresso laws, no espresso police: the coffee has to taste good. We measure by weight ratio, with 1:2 as a starting point, never by time alone. No shot can be replicated, because the beans, the humidity and the person change every day – that's not a limitation, it's the beauty of it. Our opinion is one of many.
At a glance
| Type |
Automatic WDT tool (needle distributor) |
| Needles |
12 × 0.3 mm, 22 mm reach |
| Movement |
Planetary path, alternating clockwise and counterclockwise |
| Compatible with |
58 mm baskets with straight walls |
| Not compatible with |
Baskets with curved walls, three-lug portafilters |
| Operation |
Starts on contact with the portafilter, stops when lifted or at the end of the cycle |
| Battery |
500 mAh lithium, charges via USB-C in about 1.5 hours |
| Cycles per charge |
over 2000 (manufacturer's figure) |
| Motor |
5 V DC |
| Status indicator |
LED: orange while charging, white when on or fully charged |
| Materials |
Stainless steel, aluminum alloy, food-grade ABS, silicone |
| Dimensions |
81 × 81 × 79,5 mm |
| Weight |
ca. 180 g |
| Colors |
Black, Silver |
| In the box |
Autospin, 6 spare needles (USB-C cable not included) |
Who it's for
For anyone with a 58 mm portafilter espresso machine who would like a calmer, more consistent puck prep – whether you make one espresso in the morning or several in a row for guests on the weekend. Every path to coffee is welcome here, and no level of experience is required.
Before you order, it's worth taking a look at your basket: the Autospin needs straight basket walls. If you're unsure, send us a photo at [email protected]. If you'd rather distribute by hand, you'll find classic needle tools among our WDT tools: affordable and precise, the Normcore WDT Tool; more mechanical, the Weber Workshops Moonraker. As a partner of Timemore, we carry more models from the brand in our Timemore collection.
What goes with it
After distributing comes tamping. For anyone who wants an affordable, precise tamper: the Normcore Spring-Loaded Tamper. If you want more: the Weber Workshops Tamper. You'll find both in our tamper collection.
A Puck Screen on top of the tamped coffee distributes the water further during extraction. Affordable and precise from Normcore, more from Weber Workshops – you'll find both under Puck Screens. And because espresso is made by weight, a scale belongs with it: Normcore for the compact, precise route, Acaia for app, flow rate display and Bluetooth, found among our coffee scales.
Frequently asked questions about the Timemore Autospin
Does the Autospin fit my portafilter?
It's built for 58 mm baskets with straight walls and centers itself in the basket on four legs. According to Timemore, it doesn't support baskets with curved walls or three-lug portafilters. If you're unsure, send us a photo of your basket.
How do I start and stop the Autospin?
No button needed. When you set it on the portafilter, the cycle starts automatically. Lift it and it stops; leave it in place and it finishes the cycle on its own.
How long does the battery last, and how do I charge it?
According to Timemore, the 500 mAh battery lasts for over 2000 cycles and is fully charged via USB-C in about 1.5 hours. Timemore recommends charging it every three months. A USB-C cable is not included. The LED glows orange while charging and white when the device is on or fully charged.
Does the Autospin replace the tamper?
No. It distributes the ground coffee but doesn't compress it. Afterwards, you tamp as usual.
What should I keep in mind when caring for it?
Don't pour ground coffee into the device from the top; this protects the motor. If a needle bends, you replace it with one of the six spare needles included.
Can I see the product before buying?
Yes, we're happy to show you the Autospin in our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b); it's best to check with us shortly beforehand whether it's on site at the moment.
Roastery Tip
An evenly distributed coffee bed shows most clearly what a dense, round bean has to offer. Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight bring chocolate, caramel and nutty notes with plenty of body to the cup. Those looking for maximum body without any acidity go for Very Nutty. And for a fruity experience on the side, there's Wild Peach. Any bean you enjoy is the right one. That is our recommendation, one of many.
