What's everyone using for a mill?

Roger · April 15, 2014, 12:07:38 PM

Well that's lucky!
That's what I was gonna get when I stumbled on this one http://www.millersmills.com/barley-mills it was on sale when I got it for $119.00. It has a few features the OBKrusher or Barley Crusher don't though like 7" long stainless steel rollers instead of 5" hardened steel rollers, 10Lb hopper instead of 7Lb , stainless Steel roller bearings instead of bronze bushings. They say it will crush 10Lbs in under 40 seconds but I always go nice and slow. All these extras are might not be necessary but they made it a deal I couldn't pass it up at $119 it now goes for $159.
I think you'll be happy about going with a roller mill instead of the corona mill.

fakr · April 15, 2014, 06:13:51 PM

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Pretty sure fakr is, I've looked at that mill lots of times too, WANT! I hear the 3 rollers pinch the husk open and practically keeps it in tact as if you were almost using hulls.
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yup, I have a 3 roller mill. it's a crankandstein --> http://www.crankandstein.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=13

Great mill, very happy with it. it does a great job of keeping the husk relatively whole. The correct mill speed really helps keep the husk as whole as possible too. mine is set to 150RPM using a 150rpm gear motor.

I would highly recommend this roller...well worth the money.

Two Wheeler · April 28, 2014, 01:13:21 PM

Got the mill last week, and was able to christen in on Friday... now my question is about the drill. I picked up a cheapo corded drill from Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/variable-speed-drill/860965

About 75% through the crush the damn thing started smoking internally. It's going back, but I'm just wondering what everyone else uses for a drill? Would you use an impact drill? This one didn't have a torque clutch either, so maybe that's the problem.

Chris Craig · April 28, 2014, 01:38:36 PM

You should try to keep the mill running around 300rpm. I use a cheapo cordless Dewalt on low speed. If your drill doesn't have a speed selector, then you'll have to jockey the trigger to keep it at a good speed. Really fun.

Crappy Tire has this for $19.99 right now: http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-5a-corded-drill-driver-3-8-in-0541213p.html#.U16Dwq1dUdE

Al-Loves-Wine · April 28, 2014, 01:53:18 PM

What Chris said. I learned the slower you mill, the more the husks stay in tact, and your lauter will be much better. Go to fast, and it will pretty much disintegrate the husk into powder.

That is a good buy for a variable speed drill, I almost wanna go pick one up.

Two Wheeler · April 28, 2014, 02:30:31 PM

Yeah for $20 it's a no brainer.

I think manipulating the speed myself helped fry the drill. Chris- how does your battery hold up to a standard grain bill? I have a cordless but didn't bother trying to use it.

Chris Craig · April 28, 2014, 02:34:15 PM

It holds up just fine. I did 30lbs for the Mash Occur on one battery. That said, it's hard on the drill and the batteries this way. I fully expect the drill will croak after a couple of years.

Roger · April 28, 2014, 02:43:23 PM

I would recommend getting a Rigid cordless drill from home depot it has a power selector switch that gives more torque at a slower speed and a high speed for everyday use. Its a great drill and the fact that it comes with a lifetime guarantee on both the drill and battery it was a no brainer for me.

DandyMason · April 28, 2014, 02:46:06 PM

I think 2 batteries is almost a must if you're going cordless.

My first drill was a cheap cordless and I bought two for the second battery... That one lasted just over a year and it died

Chris Craig · April 28, 2014, 02:50:29 PM

Quote from: Roger on April 28, 2014, 02:43:23 PM
I would recommend getting a Rigid cordless drill from home depot it has a power selector switch that gives more torque at a slower speed and a high speed for everyday use. Its a great drill and the fact that it comes with a lifetime guarantee on both the drill and battery it was a no brainer for me.

I call shenanigans! Show me where it says the battery is warrantied for life.

https://www.ridgid.com/ca/en/full-lifetime-warranty

Roger · April 28, 2014, 02:59:49 PM

Call it what ever the fuck you want but that's what's on my paper work.

Chris Craig · April 28, 2014, 03:05:44 PM

I wonder if they just don't offer that anymore then...

Roger · April 28, 2014, 03:06:43 PM

I don't know but I bought it last summer.

Jake · April 28, 2014, 04:32:59 PM

Yea I've heard that the warrany on rigid tools cover the warranty. There's a guy out of woodstock my co-worker tells me that will just give you a new battery if you other one dies. Pretty awsome.

Evil Jalapeno · April 28, 2014, 04:47:06 PM

For a cordless drill, I strongly suggest getting one with a lithium-ion battery. Worth every extra penny.