I just started the handle part of the tutorial. I created the two locators and placed them accordingly. Then I selected Locator #2 outside cylinder and then locator #1 inside cylinder. Then I pressed "p" to parent them. Then I selected locator #1 which automatically selects #2. I pressed "s" to set the keyframe at frame 1. Then I moved the time slider to frame 30. Then I moved locator 1 to the other end of the handle (#2 should follow since they are parented). I typed in 1300 in the rotate X but could be different for you depending which axis you handle lies on. Then I pressed "s" to set the key. I tried to play the animation but got nothing. (because I tried to set the keys while I was still in the input field.

I had to go back to frame 30, move my locator again, type in 1300 in rotate x again. Then right click on the "Rotate x" and select "Key Selected". Then right click on the "Translate x" and select "Key Selected". Now, I could play the animation and it worked correctly.

If yours rotates but doesn't move down the handle then it might be that you need to set the key for the transform. Let me know if this works for you or not.