Walnut Beer Faucet Handles

Greetings from Nebraska.

This morning I turned three new beer faucet handles out of some Black Walnut. I started by drilling and tapping 3/8-16 threads in one end of each spindle blank and then turned them down using a bottle stopper mandrel (which also has 3/8-16 threads). The finish is Doctor's Woodshop Walnut Finishing Oil and Pens Plus (Walnut Oil, Shellac, and microaggregated microcrystal wax. It was a pretty unremarkable turn, but they turned out pretty nice compared to the stubby little black plastic faucet handles that I had. (I probably should have made them from Oak so they complemented the rest of the wood, but I didn't have any Oak spindle material.

Regards,
Dave


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Hi Dave:

I like the contrast of the walnut. I think the handles would get lost if they were made from oak. Nice work and a nice setup, are those from a local craft brewery?

very nicely done! Looks good. Did you get to make sure that the Beer flowed freely?

Humongous said:

Hi Dave:

I like the contrast of the walnut. I think the handles would get lost if they were made from oak. Nice work and a nice setup, are those from a local craft brewery?

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Well, sort of. I get some beer and soda from our local craft brewery, Gottberg Brew Pub which is part of Dusters Restaurant here in Columbus. I also occasionally brew my own at home but with the equipment I have I need to go outside to boil 5 gallons at a time and the weather here in Nebraska is only favorable for that about 6-9 months out of the year.

I am in the process of downsizing from 5 gallons to 2 gallons for brewing though since I can boil 2 gallons in the kitchen rather than having to go outside to cook 5 gallons - so I will be able to brew regardless of the weather outside. Two gallon batches also fits my keg setup a little better than 5 gallons. The mini refrigerator under the basement stairs that feeds these taps can hold 3 kegs but one has to be only 2.5 gallons. Using three 2.5 gallon kegs should make things a lot easier.

On tap right now is a Wheat Ale, a Light Beer, and a Red Cream Soda.
I have ingredients on order to make an Irish Red next.
And the weather forecast is for 10 to 16 inches of snow tomorrow.

Dave

tgsponge1 said:

very nicely done! Looks good. Did you get to make sure that the Beer flowed freely?

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Only short ones. My Pilsner glasses are only 8 ounces. - Dave

Here is a wider angle picture. You can see the doors under the back bar that open into a space under a staircase. That's where the refrigerator with kegs in it reside. Just below and to the left of the tap faucets. - Dave

Very cool. You could also drill/tap the tops for the logos some of the breweries use on their handles.

I'll bet you have a lot of company. LOL Very nice set up, miss my home brewing days but medical issues won't allow me to indulge anymore.

montmill said:

I'll bet you have a lot of company. LOL Very nice set up, miss my home brewing days but medical issues won't allow me to indulge anymore.

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I probably wouldn't brew as much if I had easy access to Spotted Cow.

Very nice. Judging from Post #4, they will get a lot of use. Then you will have to turn some more handles.