DIY Tap Handle?

[I_B_Mongo]

Not sure how well an ink pen will work for a tap handle.

 

[The_Dog_42]

"Don't like this cola though...tastes like ink."

 

[jakehale]

Got this idea from someone else on this board so I cant take full credit.
I made these tap handles tonight for my kegerator.
I try to always have an IPA and a Stout or dark beer on tap at all times. So I took some used yeast vials and put Whole leaf hops in one and Black Patent Malt in the other. I think they turned out pretty good.

I always say it is better to open an old thread instead of making a new one..

i have been trying to make these tap handle's for the past week and for the life of me i can not get them to work.

what i have done: drilled the cap. bought a nut that fits the tap and have tried using 3 different types of glue/epoxy to get the nut to "hold tight" aginst the cap. but no matter what when i try to screw the cap onto the tap the nut comes off.

there has to a "trick" to attach the vial to the tap????? i must be missing it someplace. in the posted i quoted i dont see a farel,, but in other post a poster linked a page that sell farels..

help me out, because right now these are the coolest things since sliced bread to me.

jake

 

[rwagner23]

Jake,

I just made two of these vial tap handles last week. What I did was super glue the nut to the inside of the lid. Fill the vial up with grain, then screw the lid on. The first attempt to screw the tap handle to the faucet caused the glue to "break". The trick though was the grain. It still held the nut in place and I was able to get the handle on the faucet. The nut tightens down just right.

That's my trick at least.

 

[FSR402]

Jake,

I just made two of these vial tap handles last week. What I did was super glue the nut to the inside of the lid. Fill the vial up with grain, then screw the lid on. The first attempt to screw the tap handle to the faucet caused the glue to "break". The trick though was the grain. It still held the nut in place and I was able to get the handle on the faucet. The nut tightens down just right.

That's my trick at least.

Try a "locking" nut. One that has a flange on the one side with little groves in it and gorilla glue it. Also use a bolt and nut to hold it tight until the glue is dry and set.

 

[jakehale]

Thanks guys.... I will attempt these ideals next.

jake

 

[magnacasa]

You could also try deer antlers, or fake ones. Most outdoors shops will carry "rattling antlers," you might have to paint them if they are imitation, as those often have orange near the base.

 

[masonsjax]

Here in post #113 I explain how I used tap handle ferrules to mount yeast vial handles, check it out:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/diy-tap-handle-33455/index12.html#post1848356

 

[jakehale]

Here in post #113 I explain how I used tap handle ferrules to mount yeast vial handles, check it out:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/diy-tap-handle-33455/index12.html#post1848356

thanks,,, your post was the one i refered to about the link to the ferrules page.

so,,, you bolt the ferrule to the cap and then the other end of the ferrule attches to the tap? basically it is threaded on both ends? and you bought the 3/8" ones?

 

[nostalgia]

I just posted 2 videos on how I make them on the lathe. Sorry the lighting is bad - I'm hoping to fix that on the next ones.





-Joe

 

[Spachi]

These were made from stuff from work. My friend help me weld the nuts for the taps.

Arent most prosthetics made out of titanium? Is that difficult to weld?

 

[Kylito87]

You may be a homebrewer if you make tap handles and you don't even have a kegerator LOL. I totally stole these from EDWORT. I guess the moral of the story is don't let me get bored when there is a soldering iron around :rockin:

 

[abbot555]

So I have a question. What size of wood drill do you need to insert the wood 3/8 insert ? I got a 3/8 size drill bit to make the hole, but the insert wont go in.....so what size would work ? 1/2 ?

 

[Double_D]

I turn my own. These are maple but I have some coco bolo on the way.

 

[nostalgia]

So I have a question. What size of wood drill do you need to insert the wood 3/8 insert ? I got a 3/8 size drill bit to make the hole, but the insert wont go in.....so what size would work ? 1/2 ?

1/2" for most woods. I have to use 9/16" for some to prevent the insert from stripping the wood out.

-Joe

 

[abbot555]

1/2" for most woods. I have to use 9/16" for some to prevent the insert from stripping the wood out.

-Joe

Thanks !

 

[banik]

I think this might make a pretty cool tap handle...what do you guys think?
(battery and mouse shown for scale)



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Bugman's Brewery!

What a Great idea!

 

[nostalgia]

Here's another set I did for a customer - she said "use your imagination'. This is what I came up with.

-Joe

 

[jusware]

^ wow .. those are amazing!!! What type of wood is the second from the left?

 

[nostalgia]

^ wow .. those are amazing!!! What type of wood is the second from the left?

Thanks! Left to right we have ebony, bigleaf maple burl, Australian myrtle burl, and bocote.

-Joe

 

[itsme6582]

Joe,
Where do you get that fancy looking stuff. I don't think my lumberyard carries anything like that.

 

[nostalgia]

Some lumberyards carry exotics, but not too many. I buy online from vendors like Exotic Wood Suppliers - Buy Exotic Wood Turning Blanks, Squares, Blocks & Stock - Online Sale.

-Joe

 

[nostalgia]

Here's another pretty for y'all. This guy is from Tulipwood with a loose, 'captured' ring on it. It's all made from one piece - the ring is turned right in place.

-Joe

 

[ThatOneGuy]

For about 3 bucks each you can get these lovely wooden mini table legs from Lowes.

Ha, I saw these at menards the other day and thought," Wow they sell tap handles at menards?"

 

[user 40839]

Joe, your stuff is fantastic - I wish I had a couple hundred spare lying around, to get five handles for my keezer. (Instead I spent it on another utilikilt, haha!)

 

[timbudtwo]

I guess I should show what the fruits of my labor have yielded thus far:
Bullet bill and Bill blaster!

So here is what they both look like together with my brand new perlicks:

 

[mattmainster]

I guess I should show what the fruits of my labor have yielded thus far:
Bullet bill and Bill blaster!

So here is what they both look like together with my brand new perlicks:

Drool. That's a Homebrewing, Nintendo Fan-boy's fantasy.

 

[AJ_in_HD]

Wife just surprised me with these hand craft femo handles. 3 out of four were requests I made, she surprised me with the pumpkin one after I made my pumpkin ale.

 

[beng]

Here is one of my future plans....Its a casing from the 30mm cannon of an A-10.

 

[bionicbrew]

Here is one of my future plans....Its a casing from the 30mm cannon of an A-10.

that is what I wanted to do too. finding them for a decent price is the hard part, since I'm a civilian.