Post by Doug B on Feb 10, 2010 22:55:37 GMT -6
I've made tap handles before, and even turned a couple, but I am trying out a new technique and this is the prototype.
The problem I had was that I was turning the tap handle first then trying to drill the hole for the 3/8 - 16 threaded brass insert nuts. Centering is iffy doing it that way, but even worse it that the brass nuts will not thread into hardwood end grain very well...
So, I drilled the hole in the tap handle blank slightly bigger so that the nut fits inside the hole without having to screw it in, then drilled 1/4" hole clean through the wood blank and the brass nut, and glued a dowel in to hold the brass nut in place securely. I was able to then put the blank on a bottle stopper mandrel which also happens to be 3/8 - 16 threads and turn it using the tailstock until right at the end.
Well, it works like a charm! This might really help me make some that I can display at the craft shows to provide a little more variety.
Also, I tried using burn lines (not too successfully) for the first time on this prototype. I did it spur of the moment because I was trying to put some beads on the tap handle and the Oak wood did chipped out on me badly on the beads and I had to do something with it. I like the intentional burn lines at the top of the tap handle much better than the quick and dirty fix I made on the lower end. I just did not get them spaced right.
Anyway, here it is - I like the "dot" that is the dowel pin I used to hold the brass nut.
Oh yeah, I used an old kegerator tower and screwed it onto a piece of wood to make a way to display the tap handles at the craft shows...I think I might try to turn a "glass" of beer to sit under the tap too...maybe...
The problem I had was that I was turning the tap handle first then trying to drill the hole for the 3/8 - 16 threaded brass insert nuts. Centering is iffy doing it that way, but even worse it that the brass nuts will not thread into hardwood end grain very well...
So, I drilled the hole in the tap handle blank slightly bigger so that the nut fits inside the hole without having to screw it in, then drilled 1/4" hole clean through the wood blank and the brass nut, and glued a dowel in to hold the brass nut in place securely. I was able to then put the blank on a bottle stopper mandrel which also happens to be 3/8 - 16 threads and turn it using the tailstock until right at the end.
Well, it works like a charm! This might really help me make some that I can display at the craft shows to provide a little more variety.
Also, I tried using burn lines (not too successfully) for the first time on this prototype. I did it spur of the moment because I was trying to put some beads on the tap handle and the Oak wood did chipped out on me badly on the beads and I had to do something with it. I like the intentional burn lines at the top of the tap handle much better than the quick and dirty fix I made on the lower end. I just did not get them spaced right.
Anyway, here it is - I like the "dot" that is the dowel pin I used to hold the brass nut.
Oh yeah, I used an old kegerator tower and screwed it onto a piece of wood to make a way to display the tap handles at the craft shows...I think I might try to turn a "glass" of beer to sit under the tap too...maybe...
