Tap Handle - WIP

[Jeff Bower]

I have a friend that is coverting a 1924 dairy barn into a man cave/kid's playhouse. His FIL gave him his old kegorator but it has a Bass beer tap handle...he hates Bass beer and said he needed to find a new one. He's given me TONS of wood for turning and I've given him a couple of pieces in return.

This is my first try at a tap handle...the plan is to cut a flat "paddle" at the top and carve or rout the letter T for his last name on it. If that doesn't work, I'll just make another one that is all round. It's 8" tall and is out of some oak he gave me awhile back. The second pic is so you can see what it will look like on the kegorator. Will post more pictures once completed. Hopefully he likes it and we can try it out...a few times.

 

[Frank Fusco]

Lookin' forward to final results.

 

[Bob Gibson]

Really cool idea Jeff. Can't wait to see what yo come up with

 

[Wayne Bower]

Hope to see the final results soon.

 

[Jim Burr]

Now that's my kinda project!!

 

[Tom Baugues]

Looks like that should work just fine.

 

[David E Keller]

Once finished and installed, this type of turning requires major testing and retesting... That's the best part!

 

[Brent Dowell]

I'll have to tell you, I like the unfinished handle part. Gives it a rugged, cool kind of look...

 

[Brent Dowell]

And carving the "T" into by hand and leaving the roughness, well, that might add a lot of cool...

I'm trying to channel my inner Toni here, but it would be great to see what the master carver thinks...

 

[Vaughn McMillan]

Looking good so far, Jeff. Ya know, you could maybe try Brent's idea of leaving the wood rough and carving the T, and if you didn't like it, you could then sand it flat and go with your original idea.

BTW, that second photo must have been hard to take. Standing your lathe on end like that is always such a pain. At least for me it is.

 

[Les Elm]

Once you get one finished your friend will be pleased.
Looking forward to see the finished results.

Les

 

[larry merlau]

i agree with brent on the rough look with the carving jeff,, would add more character to it for sure

 

[Jeff Bower]

I'm starting to like the idea of leaving it rough like suggested...the barn it will be in is kinda rough in a few areas...would fit right in!

Thanks for all the comments everyone! I hope to get it finished this weekend

 

[Frank Fusco]

To me, leaving it rough looks like it is broken and you were sloppy in finishing.
No, smooth and then carve.

 

[Jeff Bower]

Well my bandsaw motor is shot so I need to get over to my dad's to try and cut the top of the handle...he'll be gone this weekend...maybe I can "borrow" a few other things too.

Just in case it doesn't work, I got 4 more tap handle blanks ready to turn last night...epoxied a 3/8 threaded inserts into 2 oak and 2 cedar blanks. Then I will use my high dollar bottle stopper chuck (a 3/8 bolt cut off and put in a MT2 jacobs chuck) All the wood is still from the person who will recieve it. Guess he can choose from all of them...

 

[Wayne Bower]

Jeff, you my use the band saw but I am not sure about borrowing some things.

 

[Jim C Bradley]

Glenn and I move tools around between us. Lots of times they don't get returned. However that is on purpose---Things like, "I never use this whatsit do you want to try it?" frequently remain instead of being returned.

Occasionally one of us will ask the other, "Do I have anything of yours that you want back?" The answer to that one is frequently, "If you give it back, it is going in the garage sale."

Enjoy,

Jim

 

[Jim Burr]

Glenn and I move tools around between us. Lots of times they don't get returned. However that is on purpose---Things like, "I never use this whatsit do you want to try it?" frequently remain instead of being returned.

Occasionally one of us will ask the other, "Do I have anything of yours that you want back?" The answer to that one is frequently, "If you give it back, it is going in the garage sale."

Enjoy,

Jim

LOL!!!! Need anymore kids? I'm quite and don't eat much

 

[Jeff Bower]

Glenn and I move tools around between us. Lots of times they don't get returned. However that is on purpose---Things like, "I never use this whatsit do you want to try it?" frequently remain instead of being returned.

Occasionally one of us will ask the other, "Do I have anything of yours that you want back?" The answer to that one is frequently, "If you give it back, it is going in the garage sale."

Enjoy,

Jim

Jim, we swap tools quite a bit too...although I'm usually the one that is borrowing...he's had a bit longer to accumulate tools though. I am guilty of keeping a few of his tools...if I knew where they were, I'd give them back...

 

[Wayne Bower]

Its okay, Jeff. I am not missing anything but a belt sander that I know of.