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What You Should Know about Common Beer Tap Handles

What You Should Know about Common Beer Tap Handles

Beer tap handles are a common sight in many pubs, restaurants, and bars across the world. As a result, many people are interested in learning more about these distinctive and often decorative objects.

Tap handles have a lever function. The internal lever slides rearward when the handle is pressed forward. The internal lever also moves the valve shaft, also known as the plunger. As a result, beer can pour out of the spout.

This article provides an overview of what you should know about common beer tap handles.

What Materials Are Used for Tap Handles?

There are many different sizes, styles, materials, and colors available for tap handles. Resin, a robust plastic that can be customized, is one of the most often used materials. 

Other tap handles come in metal, acrylic, ceramic, and even wooden varieties. Look closer at each of the materials listed below.

Resin

Hard plastic is also referred to as resin. These handles are strong, simple to construct, and inexpensive to replicate. 

Resin is commonly used in commercial tap handles that must be mass-produced. These handles can be molded into a variety of forms and colored variations to create unique tap handles.

Metal

More people are choosing to use metal tap handles. Lasers are used to cut and etch the metal. A product made of metal has a very strong, macho vibe to it.

Acrylic

Injection molded handles are another name for acrylic tap handles. Many advantages of a resin handle are included in these handles. 

They are simple to manufacture and long-lasting. They are available in many shapes, styles, and colors.

Wood

The customizability of wood tap handles is less than that of resin or acrylic handles. However, they make up for their lack of customization with elegance and a natural appearance. 

These handles typically have a urethane seal around them, giving them longevity that rivals that of regular tap handles.

Ceramic

An additional well-liked design is the ceramic tap handle. These handles offer both beauty and quality. These handles have a stunning ceramic polish, but they lack the durability of acrylic or resin handles.

How Is a Tap Handle Installed and Positioned?

Start by tightening the locking nut onto the faucet's threaded base before attaching the tap handle. The tap handle should then be tightened and adjusted (unscrewed) so that it faces the proper direction. 

When the locking nut is tightly pressed up against the tap handle, unscrew it. Now, the handle should be shut.

What Components Make Up a Tap Handle?

A tap handle is an easy component. It is made up of a connecting component and a handle or lever. For US tap handles, two connector choices are available. A thread insert or a ferrule, an external connector that fastens to the faucet bolt. 

An internal connector that fastens to the faucet bolt is called a thread insert. In handles made of wood or specially designed handles, internal thread inserts are common. The insert must be bought in order to create a unique tap handle; they are reasonably priced on Amazon.

What Should the Distance Be Between Tap Handles?

Tap handles are spaced 3" apart in bars. Only a sufficient distance between handles is required for easy forward movement without tangles with the next handle. For the 3" gap standard in bars, a handle's width cannot be greater than two, and three-fourth inches.

Conclusion

Beer tap handles are an important accessory for any beer enthusiast. They are often used to distinguish different beers from each other, and they also make it easier to pour beer in a controlled manner. Choosing the right tap handle for your needs is important, as the wrong handle can lead to an unpleasant beer-drinking experience.

Steel City Tap can provide you with high-quality custom beer tap handles. Our products also include keg collars, LED signs, glassware, tin-tackers, and aluminum signs, flight boards, cardboard pop displays, and stickers for breweries, distributors, and beer bars. Visit our shop today!

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