DIY Deer Antler Tap Handles

Just finished my frigidaire 4.4 kegerator conversion. Bought some fittings online and made tap handles from a set of antlers that I got several years ago. Yes, it's a smaller deer but any bigger and I didn't think they would look right. My project kegerator is finally complete!

sweet.. although I'd be worried about stabbing my hand when going for a pint (after having a few that is).

It looks nice.
A buck that small is legal to shoot in FL?

Nice idea! I usually give my dog antler sheds I find, but this may be a better idea for a few.

bknifefight said:

It looks nice.
A buck that small is legal to shoot in FL?

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Of course. You can shoot any size here (not spotted fawns). Damn things don't get that big either... typically.

Liike up here,you can shoot a spike buck as well. I'd have cut the points off.

Ya the points almost get in the way when you pull for a draft but it's not too bad. If I were to re-do them I'd have the antlers facing a little more to the rear. I've got plenty more lying around though so I might make a new set sometime down the road.

Really a little fork horn that was just splitting off of his spikes would be ideal. Of course those bucks aren't in our man't program up here .

If you have any big sheds where the G2's carry serious mass, that would look really awesome to have that one mega tine as a tap handle. Especially if they came from different deer, with different character.

Really good idea though

i just got some of my own. How did you drill the holes in the bone? 3/8" bit slowly then glue the brass insert in there?

Jigged on drill press, slow drilled, epoxy with lots of buffer to encapsulate inserts. These are 3 years old.

Nice idea, Freak buck rack tho... I'd kill that off in a heart beat to get it out of the genetic pool. im thinking a 2-1/2 yr/old

I'll have to give this a try tomorrow. No drill press, but I'll be steady with my drill

I used a drill press and went slow starting with a small bit and then worked my way up, not sure what size the final bit size was. If I were you I would definitely start small so you can get the holes going straight and then work your way up. Once the holes are in I screwed the fittings onto the taps placed the antlers on and made marks as to where to glue the antler so it would be facing the right direction when I screwed it on. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Yea, Im def stealing that idea...

Pumpkinman906 said:

Jigged on drill press, slow drilled, epoxy with lots of buffer to encapsulate inserts. These are 3 years old.

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I'm looking to make a pair of antler tap handles from a set that was gifted to me. Can you explain the process of using the epoxy to hold the brass inserts in? I fear that the epoxy would expand into the inner hole in the insert that attaches so the faucet.

Thanks!

Try just using the epoxy on the sides of the hole, then press the inserts in.