Powering a grain mill

[Ged]

Been thinking of this since Alelover posted up his mates beautiful motorised mill. Its also spurred me on to making some more brews as I've been very slack of late.

 

Does anyone have comments on this for powering a mill. Would plan on using a flexible link between the gearbox and the mill...

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farming-industry/Industrial/Engin...

 

Currently using my drill but that still rips crap out of the grain and if I go too slow it stalls and smells very bad :(

 

If the above link isn't suitable, where is best place to find sheaves in NZ for gearing down a faster motor. I've googled but haven't come up with anything other than marine pulleys etc.

 

Thanks for looking.

 

Ged

[Fairlane]

looks great so far, keen to see it finished so keep us posted...

[Ged]

All good by the looks of things..First test run mid week the connector with one grub screw holding it to the mill shaft decided it wasn't tight enough and proceeded to gouge a lovely ring around the shaft when the mill got full of grain. Had to lever the connector off and it was redrilled with 3 grub screws and all appears well. Boxed in the power packs as they would fill with dust quickly..Might move them up top in version 2.

Almost silent,starts with a full hopper and hasn't missed a beat so far. Used the old hopper and just turn it sideways when milling so that saved a bit of work. Total cost was $70 for the connector, $9.20 for 3metres of 4mm brass ( only needed 4 cm of it but shop wouldn't do that !! ) to use as a shear pin and the motor,power packs and lots of help from the fabulous engineer Gavin.

I've uploaded a Vid as well as 3 pics. Very happy man here..Thanks for your help and tips guys.

[James P]

I'm jealous....

Time to consul myself with beer... my lovely APA...

[Pilgrim]

Had a bit of a fright this week. Not able to lift anything more than 5Kg for the next three weeks I had a mate of mine call around and lift the grain mill onto the bucket for me (weighs a ton). Made the mistake of throwing a handful of grain in before I started and it and poof a small 'crack' and an ominous smell and then nothing. Bugger I thought I've burnt the motor out so sent my mate home. Pulled the motor off today to see if I could pull it apart and fix it and there on the side was a big red button marked 'Reset'. Pushed it and it went 'click'. Plugged the motor in and away she went. Phew.

[Patrick]

FYI - my workplace is selling two old pedestal drill presses by tender, they are pretty old and knackered but both have working motors and pulleys/belts etc. If anyone is keen let me know, I can put in a cheeky bid for you. I don't think they will sell for much - $20 would probably own one. I think the tenders close on Wednesday the 19th.

[Reuben Rowntree]

Just for my 2c, if anybody else is still looking into this. I've started using a 2 speed battery drill on low with my MM-2 Monster Mill. The drill's specs are rated at 0-350RPM on slow speed but by the time you put a load on it, and depending on charge, it's the perfect speed. I'm using an 18V, but I've heard the 14V are good also. No problem starting off with the hopper full of grain. And it's hand to have a battery drill around anyway. But make sure to get a drill with a 2 speed gearbox. I was using an electric drill before that, but had the same problems as the original poster.