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Author Topic: help motorizing grain mill  (Read 5377 times)

Offline jstein3

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help motorizing grain mill
« on: February 16, 2013, 02:42:06 pm »
Want to motorize my grain mill.  Probably overthinking it at this point, but am trying to figure out the best way to do this.

Motor I have is Power Craft Pro cs-103A. It's a mini bench grinder I've had laying around forever and also sells under name TruPower PowerKraft, Neiko.  It's variable speed to 10,000 RPM 115v with 120w output. Want to run my mill at under 500 rpm.  Is there any easy way to determine the actual RPM it is putting out if I were to direct connect it to my mill so I know I am not running it too fast?  If I were to run it with pulley/sheaves I am racking my brain trying to figure out the right ratio.

I just want to keep it simple!

Offline Hokerer

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2013, 03:59:04 pm »
Want to run my mill at under 500 rpm. 

You want to run way under 500, shoot for something between 100 & 200
Joe

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2013, 04:11:53 pm »
If you search forum you will find our discussion about this.
I think your motor is too fast.
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=5314.45
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Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2013, 06:53:10 pm »
Second that..motor at 10,000 rpm...might take flight!
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Offline jstein3

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2013, 07:08:34 pm »
Thanks, appreciate the link too.

Motor I have is variable speed, any easy way to determine it's speed that I could just set it? 

Although after reading through the link, I am wondering if this little motor will be up to the task anyway.

Offline lornemagill

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2013, 08:36:59 pm »
i use a corless dewalt on low, works great.

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2013, 10:00:31 pm »
What mill do you want to motorize?
3 roller needs more power then 2 roller.
For 3 roller mill you need at least 1/2 hp motor.
For 2 rollers you could have smaller motor.
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Offline tom

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2013, 09:07:45 am »
+1 on the drill.  I use a 1/2" corded drill and it works like a charm.
Brew on

Offline jstein3

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2013, 09:18:33 am »
it's a barley crusher 2 roller.

Been using a drill and works fine, albeit from the mention of RPM being in the 100-200 range, assuming that is going fast as well. I have always wanted to have something dedicated and finally have the space for a dedicated brewery and can knock this off the wish list then.

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2013, 07:09:04 pm »
Geared motor from Surplus store (if they still have it) will work just fine.
Instructions are all in the post I linked earlier.

Good Luck.
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Offline Jimmy K

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2013, 08:05:40 am »
I also bet a bench grinder motor is too weak. Even with the speed reduced which will increase power - it may spin fast but stop on the first grain of malt because it is not powerful enough.
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Offline redbeerman

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2013, 12:32:12 pm »
I also bet a bench grinder motor is too weak. Even with the speed reduced which will increase power - it may spin fast but stop on the first grain of malt because it is not powerful enough.

?? My bench grinder has plenty of torque.
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Offline Jimmy K

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2013, 01:53:35 pm »
I also bet a bench grinder motor is too weak. Even with the speed reduced which will increase power - it may spin fast but stop on the first grain of malt because it is not powerful enough.

?? My bench grinder has plenty of torque.
Well that's why I said "I bet" - I might loose. The bench grinder I've used slows down the moment you touch something to the wheel. Granted - I'm not doing math here.
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Offline jstein3

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2013, 07:52:10 pm »
Well, apparently the one I have was ultimately built by POS.  Slowed it down and was able to stop it from spinning by grabbing it lightly with my fingers.  Don't think it would stack up against the grain.  Found a good deal on a 1/2 hp 1725 rpm motor that I'll hook up with pulley's.

Thanks for the help, the links were useful and got me pointed in the right direction.

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: help motorizing grain mill
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2013, 08:47:22 pm »
Glad it worked.
Good luck.
Na Zdravie

Lazy Monk Brewing
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