If you’ve ever had a beer flight in a restaurant or brewery you already know how much fun it can be. Bring that fun into your home with the DIY beer flight paddle. In this project, we’ll walk you through how to make an authentic beer flight paddle, complete with chalkboard paint to identify each type of beer you’re offering your guests. Here’s what you’ll need for this quick inexpensive build:
TOOLS & MATERIALS
- Tape Measure
- Orbital Sander
- ¼” Drill Bit
- 2-¾” Forstner Bit
- 1″ x 6″ x 18″ Oak or Maple Board
- Painter’s Tape
- Sandpaper
- Danish Oil
- Jigsaw
- Power Drill
- Pencil
- Combination Square
- Chalkboard Paint & Chalk
- Paint Brush
- Twine or Leather Strap
- Tack Cloth or Rag
When taking on this DIY task, be sure to equip yourself with the proper safety gear.
SAFETY GEAR
- Eye Protection
- Ear Protection
- Gloves
- Mask
STEP ONE
Mark holes. Mark the location of each hole on your board with a pencil and measuring tool. Then, based on the size of your glass, mark the center of four evenly-spaced holes. For this build, we marked 1‑¾” for the first hole, and added 3‑¼” for the remaining three holes.
STEP TWO
Draw decorative shape. Draw out the shape of your paddle. Don’t be afraid to get creative.
STEP THREE
Cut paddle shape. Cut the shape of your paddle with a jigsaw, using the cut wood piece from one side as the stencil for the other.
STEP FOUR
Drill holes. With the drill and the correct Forstner bit for your glasses drill halfway down into the board, making sure to align the center of the bit with each center mark. Locate and mark the center of the handle end of the paddle, then drill through with a ¼” bit.
STEP FIVE
Sand. Use your orbital sander to sand the paddle with 150 grit sandpaper, rounding the edges as much as you’d like. Repeat with 220 grit sandpaper until you’re satisfied with the finish. Hand sand the glass holes with an extra piece of sandpaper. When you’re finished, wipe clean with a tack cloth or rag.
STEP SIX
Chalkboard paint your paddle. Tape off the area you plan to paint. Apply two coats of chalkboard paint and leave your paddle to dry in a dust free area.
STEP SEVEN
Finish paddle. When completely dry, remove the tape and generously apply Danish oil to the unpainted area of the paddle using a rag, then wipe off the excess with a clean rag. Cut a piece of twine or leather for your handle strap, thread it through the hole and tie.
Your paddle is complete.
Looking for great tools to help get your project done? Shop Stanley, Black & Decker and DeWALT for everything you need!
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