Homemade Tap Handle
Tap handles are accessories used by brewers in their beer setups. Beer is stored in a keg and tapped to a pour spout. Tap handles are often customized to the type of beer in the keg. Brewers often choose to purchase their own tap handles, however this can be costly, especially if it is customized. By using some household items and others that can easily be purchased at a hardware store or brewery shop, you can build your own personalized tap handle.
Things You'll Need
- Saw
- Short table leg
- Electric drill
- 1-by-4 board
- 1/2-inch dowel
- Wood stain
- Paint brush
- Beer tap ferrule
- Hanger bolt
- Wood glue
- Double-sided duct tape
- Clear plastic sports card protectors
Instructions
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1
Cut the 1-by-4 board into a rectangle that is slightly larger than the clear plastic sports card protector. One rectangle will only make one tap handle, so make additional rectangles for other tap handles if desired.
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2
Saw table legs to approximately 8 inches in length. One leg will be used per handle, so cut more if needed.
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3
Drill a 1-inch-deep hole of 1/2 inch in diameter to the top end of the table leg. Drill a second 1-inch-deep hole at the bottom of the leg, though this one should be 1/8 inch in diameter.
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4
Drill additional 1/2-inch-diameter, 1-inch deep holes in the center and at the bottom side of each wooden rectangle. The hole should be drilled on the small end of the rectangle.
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5
Cut the wooden dowel into 2-inch sections. One section will be needed per tap handle.
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6
Insert a dowel section into the 1/2-inch-diameter hole of the table leg. Place one of the rectangle holes onto the dowel so the dowel fits tightly and is no longer visible. The dowel should connect the two sections.
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7
Disassemble all the pieces. Use the paintbrush to coat the wooden leg lengths and rectangles in wood stain and let dry.
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8
Screw the beer tap ferrule onto its hanger bolt. Only one beer tap ferrule and hanger bolt is needed per tap handle.
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9
Insert the wood screw end of the hanger bolt into the bottom hole of the leg length. Use the ferrules to screw the leg length onto the taps.
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10
Reassemble the pieces using a small amount of wood glue. Ensure that one large flat side of the rectangle faces you.
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11
Dry the pieces and glue overnight. Stick double-sided duct tape to the front of each rectangle. Place a clear plastic card protector onto each piece of tape to serve as the label sleeves.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use paint instead of wood stain to give the taps a sleek look.
If you apply several wood stain coats to the taps, allow them to dry for a longer period of time.
Use different computer software to design your own beer label and place it into the label sleeves.
