building my first grain mill

Many like to post about a first successful ferment (or first all grain mash), or first still built/bought or first good run of the still. Tell us about all of these great times here.
Pics are VERY welcome, we drool over pretty copper 8)

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nuntius01
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building my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

ok, i'm an idiot and posted the pics in reverse order. so you have to look at them top to bottom in each lone post. sorry about that.

so, i decided to take a crack :lol: at making my own grain mill. decided to use concrete. yes, i could have used steel or something else. but opted for a highway grade concrete as i have access to it and it was free. no idea if it was a good idea or not yet. but, hey if it doesn't work out i'll break off the concrete and use steel. anyway, i'm getting close to testing it out and i promised some pics. so, i'll try and detail what ive got and done. best part was so far it's all been free. ok, so first got two plastic gallon paint cans and two sections of 3/4" round bar. one is 4" longer than the other. drilled holes in the cans, placed the bars in and poured the concrete in. i let it set for 48 hours, then cut off the can.

next, i used 3/4" plywood to make my box to hold the rollers. two 10x16 & two 10x7.75 sections. drilled out a7/8" hole for the roller that would be powered and slotted a hole for the adjustable one. i used two 14x7.75 sections for under the rollers. this will feed into the bucket. i used four bearings 3/4" for the rollers. salvaged off of a univent. two 3.5"x3.5" blocks act as the mount for the movable roller. four 1x6 act as guides for the blocks. two 3.5x2 blocks act as the stop for the adjusters to the movable block.
two 3.5x3.5" plates where cut and drilled out to act as anchors for the threaded adjustment on the movable rollers. two pieces of angle drilled and attached to fixed block. this holds threaded rod and has a nut on each side to adjust the roller. added two handles got off of used garage doors to the grinding box.

the hopper is a mirror of the box. used four 1x4 in the corners to act as guides. sealed the wood and cement

made the stand out of recycled batting cage. 1.75x1.75"tubing. four pieces 32", four 7.75"& four 19". ground of the paint for welding. assembled the box. welded on four 5" casters. could have made plates and threaded them. but didnt see me taking off the casters. so, they got welded on. cut up four 1" angle, two inches in length. welded this to the frame. they act as guide to the box. cut two 16" sections of unistrut. anchored this to the frame. added electrical box to frame for switch.

still yet to do.
attached motor to unistruts, salvaged from another univent.
wired motor to switch and plug. added pulleys salvaged from air compressor. put on belt, paint frame

hope to have this done this week. then ii'll add those pics. i'll try and add video of the first test run too.
Attachments
slots cut in board for grinder rollers
slots cut in board for grinder rollers
box parts for grinder portion
box parts for grinder portion
rollers removed from paint cans
rollers removed from paint cans
before and after rempval from paint can
before and after rempval from paint can
scoring paint can to peel off from roller
scoring paint can to peel off from roller
pour in concrete and center bar
pour in concrete and center bar
Last edited by nuntius01 on Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:40 pm, edited 4 times in total.
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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nuntius01
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Re: my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

more pics
Attachments
3.5" plate goes under bearing to attach adjuster rod
3.5" plate goes under bearing to attach adjuster rod
plate prior to hole drilling
plate prior to hole drilling
finished hopper box, use same dimension lumber as grinder box
finished hopper box, use same dimension lumber as grinder box
hopper box, angled slats not wide enough to put hand through
hopper box, angled slats not wide enough to put hand through
hopper box,  make sure angle doesn't allow hand through
hopper box, make sure angle doesn't allow hand through
make sure rollers fit in holes and slots cut out.  rough fitting
make sure rollers fit in holes and slots cut out. rough fitting
Last edited by nuntius01 on Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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nuntius01
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Re: my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

more pics
Attachments
ensuring grinder box fits on stand
ensuring grinder box fits on stand
making sure top and bottom of stand are square
making sure top and bottom of stand are square
prepped all welding areas on bars
prepped all welding areas on bars
cut all pieces to length for stand
cut all pieces to length for stand
recycled batting cage for stans
recycled batting cage for stans
plates for under bearings to attach adjusting rod.
plates for under bearings to attach adjusting rod.
Last edited by nuntius01 on Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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nuntius01
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Re: my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

more pics
Attachments
attaching angle and threaded rod for adjustment
attaching angle and threaded rod for adjustment
placing angle iron for adjustment on threaded rod
placing angle iron for adjustment on threaded rod
mounting motor frame to unistrut
mounting motor frame to unistrut
cut unistrut to proper length for motor and pulley
cut unistrut to proper length for motor and pulley
weld in corner angle pieces to hold grinder box to frame
weld in corner angle pieces to hold grinder box to frame
rough line up of motor mount, need to get unistrut to mount it
rough line up of motor mount, need to get unistrut to mount it
Last edited by nuntius01 on Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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nuntius01
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Re: my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

more pics
Attachments
rough put together prior to painting and electical
rough put together prior to painting and electical
attach box for switch to frame
attach box for switch to frame
rough line up of motor on unistruts
rough line up of motor on unistruts
Last edited by nuntius01 on Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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still_stirrin
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by still_stirrin »

Are both rollers driven? I think you'll need that.

Were those pillow blocks expensive?

Also, what is your RPM for the rollers? Motor hp? With that large of diameter of rollers, you'll need lots of torque to mill the grains. If the speed of the rollers is too fast, it could simply shred the grains, rather than crush them.

And I hope those concrete rollers are balanced on their axles. If not, you'll have a hopping grinder.


But, it is certainly an innovative design. I hope it works for you.
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by Jes2xu »

Wow. . . .

I must admit actually building the rollers never crossed my mind. I just assumed when the time came I would buy the roller assembly then box it out and build a hopper my self.

. . . . keen to see how this ends up!

Bravo!
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nuntius01
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

no just one is driven. there should be plenty of mass with just the one roller.. i got the bearings for free off of a demo. they're about 15 bucks a piece though. the motor spins at 850rpm and is a third horse. it has an adjustable speed pulley. not worried about making flour. just about cracking corn and barley. the rollers adjust from zero to 3/4". so, i should be able to crack nicely. the rollers free spun nicely by hand. but that doesn't mean a whole lot. it's either going to be a success or a horrible failure. either way will be fine. if it works, then it's on to making an apple grinder and press. if not i rework it. i love to build things. i'll keep everyone posted either way.
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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nuntius01
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

Jes2xu wrote:Wow. . . .

I must admit actually building the rollers never crossed my mind. I just assumed when the time came I would buy the roller assembly then box it out and build a hopper my self.

. . . . keen to see how this ends up!

Bravo!
lol that would have been so much easier. but where's the challenge in that
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
Jes2xu
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by Jes2xu »

nuntius01 wrote:
Jes2xu wrote:Wow. . . .

I must admit actually building the rollers never crossed my mind. I just assumed when the time came I would buy the roller assembly then box it out and build a hopper my self.

. . . . keen to see how this ends up!

Bravo!
lol that would have been so much easier. but where's the challenge in that
Yup Yup!

Easier tends to be less satisfying in the end I have found :)
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Corsaire
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by Corsaire »

I need to see a video of this thing in action ;)
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MichiganCornhusker
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by MichiganCornhusker »

Maybe a piece of steel mesh across the top to keep shirtsleeves and hands outta there.

Looks powerfully massive, looking forward to hearing how it runs.
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by akira7799 »

<Chanting "Toga" like John Belushi in Animal House> Movie! Movie! Movie!
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bilgriss
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by bilgriss »

Show us a run!

I also think something to keep hands / sleeves / rats out would be a really good addition.
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by Bushman »

Along with a video can you give us an approx cost to make? Loved the pictures my only complaint (petty on my part) is that I had to keep going back up to your first post as I looked through the pictures. An explanation with each set of pictures would have been easier for us older folks. :sarcasm:
Thanks for sharing am sure you have given a few members some ideas! :clap:
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nuntius01
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

Bushman wrote:Along with a video can you give us an approx cost to make? Loved the pictures my only complaint (petty on my part) is that I had to keep going back up to your first post as I looked through the pictures. An explanation with each set of pictures would have been easier for us older folks. :sarcasm:
Thanks for sharing am sure you have given a few members some ideas! :clap:
yes, good idea. i can go back and edit my posts.

for those wanting a vid. i got delayed this week. we've had 14" of rain since monday. and i've been dealing with a lot of flooding at work. i hope to have it painted and running by monday or tuesday.

well, as i recycled everything except the belt, the cost has been essentially zero. however, i'll try and break it down if you wanted to make it and buy everything.

4 bearings 3/4" $15/ea
2 shafts 3/4" one 14" and 18" $20
4 10" x 16" 3/4" plywood 1 4'x8' sheet of plywood $50
4 10" x 7 3/4" 3/4" plywood
2 3.5"x 3.5" 3/4" plywood
4 1" x 6" 3/4" plywood
2 3.5"x 2" 3/4" plywood
4 7 3/4" x 14" 3/4" plywood cut down for angles in boxes
2 3.5" x3.5" 1/8" steel plate $10
2 3.5" 1" angle iron $10
1 pulley 3/4" $45
4 1.75x1.75x7.75" steel $150
4 1.75x1.75x19" steel
5 1.75x1.75x32" steel
4 caster $50
1 motor w/ adjustable pulley$110
wire $5
switch $3
2 plastic paint cans $5
cement $15
6 hose clamps $3
belt $12
wire casing $5
switch box$5
wire clamp $3
2 garge door handles $10
6 1/2" nuts $3
2 5" length 1/2" threaded rod $5

total approx $580
total hours so far approx. 20
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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Fart Vader
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by Fart Vader »

Good job. Nice build my friend.
You'll be amaze
D at how much power is required to mill the grain.
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nuntius01
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

ok, had a few issues with the mill. it works. but not as well as i'd like. so, i'm adding a flat pulley to the roller that free spins and making the main drive pulley smaller. that will give me two rollers that are driven. hope to have pics and vids for tomorrow. waiting on a flat pulley, had to order it from grainger $15. pretty bummed i couldn't find one.
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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nuntius01
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by nuntius01 »

well, still no vid. but now just waiting on belt. opted for a hex belt. down side is it's a week to get it. but i have some more pics from my modifications.
Attachments
mark out rollers on sheet steel prior to cut
mark out rollers on sheet steel prior to cut
cut sheet steel to center grain on middle of roller
cut sheet steel to center grain on middle of roller
raised the mill box accommodate two pulleys
raised the mill box accommodate two pulleys
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
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miket
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by miket »

My first concern was balance but if you have slow rpm it will be OK.

I have 3 lathes, I was thinking of building one as a lathe attachment I just it clamp down on the bed, grab the drive shaft in the lathe chuck and make it run.
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raketemensch
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by raketemensch »

Hoooooly shit, that’s some serious business right there.

I can’t wait to see how this works out.
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Re: building my first grain mill

Post by WIski »

Miket Wrote'

I was thinking of building one as a lathe attachment I just it clamp down on the bed, grab the drive shaft in the lathe chuck and make it run.
My first mill was a 1/2" Drill driven Corona in a 5 Gallon bucket. My current mill is a industrial coffee grinder. Both make a lot of dust while grinding. I think you may want to consider this before spending the time and resources fabricating a mill on top of your lathe. I'm no machinist and don't know if this matters but your machine is going to get real dusty and everything else nearby as well. :eugeek:
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