I'm looking for some bottle opener inserts, just the hardware, so I can create my own bottle openers out of some barrel staves I recently gained by opening up a barrel which is far past it's prime for brewing/aging in. Does anyone know a site or anywhere I can source this type of product? Just looking for the metal inserts so I can personally drill out my oak staves and insert a nice metal bottle opener to give to family and friends as birthday/Christmas presents. So far all I can find are finished products and such, no dyi type items which will allow me to create my own. Thanks, Kyle
These old promotional type openers w/plastic handles are easily found for 25ยข or a buck at antique/junk stores, rummage sales and flea markets. The plastic is usually brittle and a tap with a hammer or a squeeze in a vise and you've got an insert - drill a slightly undersized hole and press it into your stave. (I wouldn't do it to these breweriana examples , but lots of liquor stores, bars, distributors and other businesses used to give these same sorts of promo items away.) Or, use just use a bent nail or a wood screw or sheet metal screw for a homemade version.
I think I saw something like that through Rockler Hardware. http://www.rockler.com/search/go?p=...92&isort=score&view=grid&w=Bottle Opener&rk=6 There's a couple different styles they have.
And the paint can openers (like in the bottom picture above) barely bend the caps, so that's an added bonus.
