Turning Beer tap?

[kf4knf]

I had a buddy at work request a beer tap since he brews at home. Anyone know where you can find supplies/ideas for this type of project? PSI doesnt seem to have much.

I was thinking about making the tap in the shape of a beer bottle and out of some light colored wood that would give it a golden/dark brown look.

Anyone else done this type of stuff before?

 

[vick]

Are you talking a handle for a modern tap, or are you talking actually making a spigot tap.

 

[Jerryconn]

I also brew at home, although it has taken a back seat to this addiction.

Try this Link for ideas

 

[Rifleman1776]

Go to a bar and ask. They might even have old stuff laying around you could use for parts.

 

[KenV]

As the part owner and board member for a craft brewery, I am pretty sure you are talking about the tap handle. These are a collectable item that are sold by the brewery gift shop for a pretty penny (about 40 bucks last time I checked probably a good bit higher now) and higher for special ones. Kegs, valves, carbon dioxide gas containers etc are all extra. I do not remember the thread on the valves, but a standard threaded insert should make it easy to turn. Go for the fancy burl and dicker to take it out in trade.....

 

[PenWorks]

I have made several taps. I just took my clients fittings to the hardware store and found the right parts to make the threads work. Do a search on Google "wooden beer taps"
you will find alot of info. Here is just one link to the fittings you can buy.

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/hose-fittings.shtml

 

[bobm]

here are a couple more links for tap handle parts....I think the two items that I had trouble finding were the ferrules (bottom) and the finial (top)...I manage a restaurant and mentioned to my beer rep one day and he sold me some very reasonably....
hth
bob
http://tinyurl.com/mjs2u
http://tinyurl.com/llsxv
http://tinyurl.com/owa7s this one has the most selections of both

 

[JimGo]

Wow, that's disappointing...$10 for a turned handle??? Guess I won't be trying to sell to my local tap rooms!

 

[PenWorks]

Tough market Jim, that's as bad as selling finished cigar pens for $5.00 [:0]

 

[kf4knf]

Yes, its my understanding he already has the valve so he just needs me to make the handle. I found a place that sells some hardware if anyone else is interested.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/tap-handles.html

The main part I would be using from that page is the tap handle insert. I think it would be neat to make one outta acylic that is colored like a beer bottle too! Once its finished it would shine like the real thing! So many ideas in my head its driving me nuts!

 

[bobm]

Sorry I forgot to mention that part last night....
I got mine from Rockler...better price, no shipping...calls for a 1/2 hole in soft woods and a 9/16 in hardwood.
would like to see your handles when you get them done...

bob