So let’s say that the artisanal beer that you have in the back of your fridge is brewed by monks in Tibet once every blue moon, bottled by a pygmy tribe in the Caribbean and costs $48 a bottle. It also needs to be kept at a constant temperature until opened or it will turn poisonous, and possibly sentient. So basically, you can’t hide it in the cupboard until after your non-denominational holiday party. But you foolishly invited Kevin over for the shindig and last time he was at your house he mistakenly opened that bottle of Angry Quokka Ale that you’d been saving for a special occasion. What do you do?
Well, JON-A-TRON from the Instructables Design Studio has solved this particular dilemma with his 3D printed Beer Bottle Lock Instructable. Despite the fact that beer bottles vary in shape from manufacturer to manufacturer, the one thing that they all tend to have in common is bottlecap size. So JON-A-TRON – or Jonathan Odom – designed the bottle lock to fit securely over the cap, leaving some wiggle room for various sized bottle necks.
Odom used Fusion 360 to create the 3D model because it allows users to test mechanical assemblies and ensure that they will work correctly before printing. He started by working up a quick mock-up of a standard beer bottle, then built the two piece model around it.
The bottle lock is really more of a clamp that uses a standard screw for the hinge and a small luggage padlock to secure it closed. Odom found a six-pack at a hardware store, and conveniently most 3D printers will have room for six of the bottle locks. He used his Makerbot Replicator 2, but because of its simplicity it should print just fine on most basic 3D printers. Although, there are overhangs on the model, so supports are highly recommended, and the print took about six hours.
Now there are a few ground rules to using this Beer Bottle Lock. First, have the decency to not drink the good beer that you’ve padlocked out of reach at your party while your guests have to drink the crappy stuff that was on sale. If your guests have to suffer through choking down some Natty Light then so do you. Second, you will be called a cheapskate. Mainly because you are, let’s be honest, but you’re going to be called on it so prepare yourself. Lastly, just stop inviting Kevin to your parties already. Do you really want to sit through his Buffalo Bill impression whenever Goodbye Horses comes on again?
