3D Printed Tap Handles

[hausofstrauss]

Here is my first attempt at a 3D printed tap handle. It held up for our party, but I think I can improve a little on the mechanical strength side of things. I've already got a v2 printing the logo into the handle as one piece, I just don't have pics yet.

Edited here for link to full post:
http://fermware.com/3d-printed-tap-handles/

*There is a link at the bottom of the post on my blog if you wish to purchase a prototype tap handle.

And here is my current version:

 

[Carlscan26]

Was that a single pass print or multiple pieces? Looks great nice work!


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[scottm1]

Very cool

 

[hausofstrauss]

Was that a single pass print or multiple pieces? Looks great nice work!


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The water, barley, hops and flask symbols were printed separately and the plaque for the side was printed separately. I wasn't sure if the logo would print properly the way I had the print oriented, so I did a separate piece. After the party, I was able to get the logo to print with the main body. I'll post picture of V2 soon.

 

[Supergrump]

Fa-ree-kin awesome. I saw another guy on the "show us your kegerator" thread that made pumpkin head taps with a 3D printer. The future is neat-o.

 

[NewBrewB]

I don't want a 3d printer....because I want to be able to continue lying to myself about how tremendously inventive and creative I would be if I DID have one.......

Great job!

 

[241]

That thing is rad! You could sell these things man. I'd be one of the sales

 

[Doed]

It is very cool and I might also be willing to purchase one like that.

 

[biertourist]

Umm, wow. The results speak for themselves.

If you do make these available for sale, let me know. I LIKE it!


Adam

 

[hausofstrauss]

Here is my version 2. And just to be clear, I did not print the entire handle in one shot.

 

[Carlscan26]

Which printer are you using?


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[nextgenxx]

Nice print! How long did that take you, 10hrs?

 

[hausofstrauss]

Which printer are you using?


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I got the Flashforge Creator and I am very happy with it. It had the right balance of cost, dual-extruders, reliability, non-proprietary filament and has required me to do a little bit of tinkering that has allowed me to better understand the capabilities 3D printers.

 

[hausofstrauss]

Nice print! How long did that take you, 10hrs?

Yea, I'd say that the print time for all objects was about 11 hours, with the handle alone taking just over 9 hours.

 

[hausofstrauss]

Ok, here is the link to my blog post and I've got some pictures to share.

http://fermware.com/3d-printed-tap-handles/

 

[Sudz_Makenzie]

That's freakin' awesome!:rockin:

 

[hausofstrauss]

For all of you asking for STL's or wanting to purchase an already made handle, my best advice is to get subscribed on the blog site for updates. I hope to have some time this weekend to work something out and address on the site.

I would like to make STL's available, but also provide some sort of service to those that want the handles and don't have a 3D printer.

My purpose for the fermware.com blog was primarily to pass on the knowledge I've gained from brewing as payback for the knowledge I've received from others. I'd put the figure at about 80% of that knowledge came from this awesome site/community here.

If it gets to generate some income, that is a bonus and can help supplement my brewing and enable me to work on other projects that I really think will help the homebrewing community.

If you want to support the site or my goals, please shop through the site links for Amazon or any other supporting advertisers that may show up. Don't worry, I won't know specifically who clicks on what or who buys what, so your privacy is respected.

I sincerely appreciate all of the compliments on the design. I hope it inspires others to create similar designs.

 

[hausofstrauss]

I've now got a link on my blog post if you wanted to buy a prototype level tap handle.

http://fermware.com/3d-printed-tap-handles/

 

[hausofstrauss]

Sorry everyone! The purchase link I had in my post was not configured properly. I've figured it out and it is working.

 

[RogueOne]

can you print a large hop cone by its self?

 

[hausofstrauss]

can you print a large hop cone by its self?

I'm not sure, I haven't tried. How big are you talking?

 

[RogueOne]

I'm not sure, I haven't tried. How big are you talking?

maybe like the hight of a stock black handle that comes with the tap and what ever width looks good. Something that fits the hand nicely. Would be cool if you could make one that looks like the brewing networks hop grenade.

 

[hausofstrauss]

maybe like the hight of a stock black handle that comes with the tap and what ever width looks good. Something that fits the hand nicely. Would be cool if you could make one that looks like the brewing networks hop grenade.

I will have to try and print one.

I wouldn't copy the brewing network hop grenade. That's their design and idea. Even if it wasn't copywrited, I'd still not feel cool about it.

 

[RogueOne]

I will have to try and print one.

I wouldn't copy the brewing network hop grenade. That's their design and idea. Even if it wasn't copywrited, I'd still not feel cool about it.

All good. a sweet looking hop cone would be awesome. I have a full size fridge converted to a kegerator and I have to use low tap handles because the freezer door hits tall handles if I open it.

 

[hausofstrauss]

All good. a sweet looking hop cone would be awesome. I have a full size fridge converted to a kegerator and I have to use low tap handles because the freezer door hits tall handles if I open it.

Yea, because of the position of my faucets on my keezer collar, I didn't even think of that as an issue.

I've actually got one on display at my awesome LHBS Great Fermentations at their Indianapolis location right now on their sample fridge. They had the same problem, but they've got a special angled adapter that allows taller handles to fit.

 

[RogueOne]

Yea, because of the position of my faucets on my keezer collar, I didn't even think of that as an issue.

I've actually got one on display at my awesome LHBS Great Fermentations at their Indianapolis location right now on their sample fridge. They had the same problem, but they've got a special angled adapter that allows taller handles to fit.

More info on this adapter please. There are some taller handles I would like to use but right now I'm stuck with the short stubby ones.

 

[ong]

More info on this adapter please. There are some taller handles I would like to use but right now I'm stuck with the short stubby ones.

Search Google for tap handle angle adapter and you should find some sources -- I'm using them on my kegerator with success.

 

[hausofstrauss]

Search Google for tap handle angle adapter and you should find some sources -- I'm using them on my kegerator with success.

Um, just got a cool idea here. I can make the angle of the threaded insert at any angle I feel like, so I could do an angled version for low-space installations. Interest level??

 

[danorocks17]

awesome...

 

[rekoob]

this is just crazy awesome!

 

[Komocabo]

Interest level indeed... My birthday is in a few weeks... I will need one. Yes, need

 

[watermelon83]

Looks like your top layer infill needs tweaking and you have a bit of slop in one of your horizontals.... lol sorry couldn't resist being a printer geek. Dis you print the hop with support or is it flat on the back? Looks great!!

 

[hausofstrauss]

CAD renderings have gone out for approval to those that made it in for the first round of prototypes.

I hope to have more slots open later this week and have STL files posted on Thingiverse.

 

[hausofstrauss]

I've got the files up on Thingiverse for anyone to download.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:542537

And I'm also about done with the first round of handles that people ordered, so I can make more for those that are interested.

 

[hausofstrauss]

Printing the tap handles took longer than anticipated, but the results have turned out great. Along the way, I improved the geometry of the hop to reduce the voids in the print and I also experimented with clear filament and was able to modify the flask to really look like a flask with a starter in it.

And here are some pictures of a few I did for some members here and elsewhere.

 

[mythbustingpyro]

I don't have a kegging system so it'd be early for me to be designing tap handles for me too print. Love the modular design too.

Are you running dual extrusion? If not are the letters inserts?

 

[Carlscan26]

Got mine today. Absolutely freakin awesome!!

I like how you highlighted the arithmetic signs in that second one there - really makes them pop out.

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[Komocabo]

Holy cow! Ok, that's it. I'm PM'ing you now...

 

[hausofstrauss]

I don't have a kegging system so it'd be early for me to be designing tap handles for me too print. Love the modular design too.

Are you running dual extrusion? If not are the letters inserts?

Yes, dual extrusion for the black handle and the letters. The icons are printed separately and glued in.

 

[hausofstrauss]

Got mine today. Absolutely freakin awesome!!

I like how you highlighted the arithmetic signs in that second one there - really makes them pop out.

Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

Awesome! Glad to hear you like it.