thrstyunderwater
Well-Known Member
Has anyone ever done this or looked into it? I realize it's not easy at all. That said I want to give it a go. Any input would be appreciated.
Making your own oak barrel
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I watched a show on the jack Daniels distillery and they had a segment on their barrel making process. It was intense and looked incredibly hard. I think I would encourage you to look into buying one or use wood chips in order to save time/money/frustration. If you do try, i can offer no help; my hats off to you, and good luck!
But of course e-how or instructables are going to have plans for them.... http://www.ehow.com/how_5594942_make-wood-barrel.html
BlackJaqueJanaviac
Well-Known Member
It seems that anything that involves a particular name for the person who makes such is going to be complicated. Old barrel makers were known as coopers. In other words it wasn't something your average farmer did between sowing and reaping.
That said, there is the term "brewmeister" which doesn't seem to intimidate any of us. So, I say go for it and post a thread so we can all follow you.
That said, there is the term "brewmeister" which doesn't seem to intimidate any of us. So, I say go for it and post a thread so we can all follow you.
OP
OP
thrstyunderwater
Well-Known Member
I'm trying to get my dad to make it (he's the handy one) and I'm going to make the product to go inside. I'll make sure he documents his progress though for everyone else should we embark on this!
Clonefan94
Senior Member
I can't possibly imagine making a barrrel from scratch. Unless you have a source for the staves, that seems like an eternity of work. Then putting on the straps, those things don't just slide on, it takes a lot of pressure to get them on. Seems to me the price of a barrel is a bargain compared to the work you'd have to put into it to make your own. That being said, if your father enjoys the process and the challenge, more power to him. Heck, we all brew our own beer, it's definitely easier to just go buy the stuff. It's the enjoyment that's the pay off, right?
I'm definitely interested to see how this goes.
I'm definitely interested to see how this goes.
I lost interest at Step 1.
Clonefan94
Senior Member
Yeah....I just happen to have an old growth oak forrest at the end of my street.
That's perfect, these are the instructions for you then.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2084028_make-barrel.html
ghack
Well-Known Member
Next up, make your own Chippendale dining room set. Got to have somewhere to sit.
OP
OP
thrstyunderwater
Well-Known Member
Look, we can all learn how to make beer on ehow too! Sure are great directions.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2048941_make-beer.html
Yeah...I posted those originally.....
I was being sarcastic about the old growth forest.
TNGabe
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I think some 'folks skills' school has a cooperage class, where maybe you can make a small barrel. If you're trying it on your own, keep in mind that the traditional apprenticeship for coopers lasted around 7 years, a good indicator of how complicated the process is. The wood has to be aged specially, with a mold or maybe lichen that does something to the wood. French oak barrels are made from split rather than sawn wood, although American oak barrels are made with sawn wood, part of why French oak is considered superior for many applications. There are a number of specialized tools required as well. I'd bet you'll end up with a multi-thousand dollar barrel, or a partial barrel, at the end of the project. I had the same idea a few years ago before realizing it was nuts.
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