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Simple Tap Handle

74 likes
475 opens
137 copies
3 comments
D Thornhill

Project by

D Thornhill

General Information

Normally, you would need to drill out a hole for the threaded insert required for a draft pull. But with Easel and a bit of flip milling, you can design a cavity for a threaded insert. Added bonus: you can also duplicate your decoration on both sides of the handle!

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Material Description Price
Red Oak

Red Oak

6" × 12" × 1/2" Red Oak

1

The Design

30 minutes

The main technique here is flip milling. Since I needed the cavity for the threaded insert on both sides of the handle, it made the most sense. Plus, it afforded the added bonus of duplicating the barley design on both sides. I used a 1/8" downcut bit for the entire handle, but there’s nothing stopping you from using a ball mill for the whatever image you like to carve.

The first cut takes 7 minutes to carve the barley, the offset ring and the first half of the cavity. After that’s complete, I flipped the workpiece along the horizontal axis and align the edges. The second cut is identical to the first, but with the addition of an outside profile cut into the workpiece. Don’t forget to use tabs! This took 22 minutes in red oak

2

Threaded Insert

5 minutes

After cutting out the two halves from their tabs, I placed the threaded insert into one half of its cavity and sandwiched it with the other. It took some fine adjustments to align the edges all around. Don’t worry if the two halves are slightly askew; sanding will even it out.

3

Gluing and Clamping

10 minutes

Using Gorilla Glue, I dampened each half of the handle and clamped using two pieces of flat metal, so the clamps wouldn’t mar the surface. I wiped the squeeze out and let stand overnight.

Point of assembly to consider… I could have screwed in the insert after gluing. However, I felt there was a risk of the wood splitting if had glued then used a screwdriver to secure the insert in place. Feel free to experiment. I found my method very fast and secure.

4

Sanding and Finishing

20 minutes

Once the glue had dried, I sanded the handle sides, taking care to flatten and overhangs. A quick air dusting and then two coats of tung oil to bring out the red oak’s plentiful grain.

5

Completion!

1 minute

The handle is ready to attach to nearly any tap faucet! Here’s the handle in action among other taps. In fact, the turquoise and white handle to the right was also made using a Carvey, but it took a bit longer than 60 minutes!

Greg Urbanowicz
Would you mind sharing this project publically? Would love to give this a shot!
Greg Urbanowicz
D Thornhill
It isn’t already public?
D Thornhill
Adam Matheson
not public, unable to open
Adam Matheson