Make Your Own Tap Handles

[Cobalt]

This is how I've progressed with making my own tap handles, from the classified section where i was selling the threaded inserts.

To make them I have turned a drill press onto its side, secured it to a work surface (work bench) and using a drill press to lathe jig i picked up at busybeetools. Basic wood chisels i had from ages ago from a carving set i wanted to try out, and Voila!

Some hardwoods from Halifax Specialty Hardwoods, Cherry, Purpleheart, Tigerwood, Paduak - $30 and enough to make 8 handles.

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Maple reclaimed from a broken pallet FREE

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How it looks on my keezer

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[LeafMan66_67]

Nice work!

[GuingesRock]

Nice work!

Yes, MUCH nicer than the black plastic handles. Presentation makes a lot of difference...it's like the difference between drinking beer from a plastic cup and from one of Jeramy's glasses.

[ethier.sc]

That looks awesome, we'll done.

[jeffsmith]

Well done, those look awesome!

[akr71]

I think you just found yourself a little side business...

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[mr x]

FWIW, you can buy a muddler at Cash and Carry, for $1.49. If you can get the insert drilled and centered right, it makes a cheap and nice handle.

[Cobalt]

The muddler idea is ok, but too skinny for my likings.

[Tony L]

This is also a nice way to reuse those White Lab vials.

http://www.bertusbrewery.com/2012/01/di ... ndles.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sucanushie]

I would love to design some tap handles and have them printed on Dal's 3D printer.

Anyone good in cad? hehe

[GAM]

I would love to design some tap handles and have them printed on Dal's 3D printer.

Anyone good in cad? hehe

YEP.

Sandy

[sucanushie]

I would love to design some tap handles and have them printed on Dal's 3D printer.

Anyone good in cad? hehe

YEP.

Sandy

Do up a design and let's see how it comes out

[Cobalt]

So Heres how its looking now, I really like that Paduak wood, nice tones from red to some caramel colors. Really want to find a 7.6cuft chest freezer so i can do it up really nice, on wheels, wooden frame, I think i want to try making a coffin top for it, but not entirely sure yet.

Oh and I picked up a lathe and built a table for it that just locks into a work mate table, and a tool holder box thats removable so it can be stored upright and against a wall out of the way when its not being used. Now i can make my handles a lot more safely then the drill press laying on its side lol. 36" length and 12" width work piece so i can do a lot with it

Video of Paduak handle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjX0gax0 ... e=youtu.be" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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[Stoker]

Beautiful work, Nice turning.
Stoker

[Duff]

They look great, where did you get your inserts?

[akr71]

Cobalt, I had to take down a walnut tree. I'm sure I could get you enough for a tap handle or 3 if you were willing to send a finished one back this way...

[Cobalt]

Akr71, yea I'd love to do some taps in walnut for ya. More reason to play with the lathe lol. If you have large pieces, the better, I can do some nice things with it

For getting it down here to Halifax, if you can get it here yourself, great, or another brewnoser. Another option if you have an Armour transport terminal near you, give it to them to those on a truck and I can pick it up at my terminal. Let me know

[Cobalt]

They look great, where did you get your inserts?

I got them from Fastenal, they only sell them by a bag of 25, however I think I'll be needing another bag lol

[akr71]

Akr71, yea I'd love to do some taps in walnut for ya. More reason to play with the lathe lol. If you have large pieces, the better, I can do some nice things with it

For getting it down here to Halifax, if you can get it here yourself, great, or another brewnoser. Another option if you have an Armour transport terminal near you, give it to them to those on a truck and I can pick it up at my terminal. Let me know

Are you going to Hoptoberfest? I'm not in any particular hurry and can hand deliver it then. Otherwise I can look at Armour.

There's a couple larger pieces (4 - 6" diameter) and a bunch of limbs ~ 2" diameter. I assume the bigger pieces will have move hart wood and give more grain & character to the finished piece. I can also grab you some cherry (probably only 3" max) and apple. I have never heard of anyone doing woodwork with apple - there's probably a reason for that.

[Cobalt]

I can defiantly wait till Octoberfest, and I'll take whatever ya got, more wood to play with the better!

[Cobalt]

I'll take whatever ya got, more wood to play with the better!

Pun not intended but hilarious after I realized it hahahahaha

[akr71]

I'll take whatever ya got, more wood to play with the better!

Pun not intended but hilarious after I realized it hahahahaha

I'll set some pieces aside as soon as I get the chance.

[Cobalt]

I've been playing around with different profile designs, if anyone wants to toss their ideas and suggestions into the mix, feel free.

Example of what I mean, and with this profile, after its turned, I would slice it from the top down about 4" on an angle to give it a nice face, a spot to put a name or logo nicely printed on. I've even been curious as to how it would look with burning a logo into the wood, but that's another idea to try later

[Cobalt]

So heres how that new design looks, but its about 2" too short, im using scrap wood, it will look better with a longer tapper to the tap, but turned out well! Feels nice too when pouring a nice cold beer

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[dexter]

Looks great Tim!