Using a pasta maker to mill grain. - Page 16

brown_dog_us · 03-03-2009, 03:43 PM

I've used the pasta mill on 5 batches now and it's working perfect. I'm averaging 84% efficiency and I haven't had a stuck sparge. I use an old 3/8 inch paddle bit and my drill to motorize the mill and it is super easy. The drill bit fit perfectly into the slot where the hand crank normally goes.

If I built another one of these I think I could have it modified and ready in less than 2 hours! The hardest part is building the hopper and base

Memorex88 · 03-03-2009, 05:35 PM

This looks like a project I'm interested in making.

brown_dog_us · 03-03-2009, 08:48 PM

It's really easy. The first step is locating a cheap pasta maker. Are you married? If so you probably got one as a wedding present.

RedIrocZ-28 · 03-08-2009, 06:32 AM

Looks like I know what I am doing tomorrow!

I have been searching high and low for a set of knurled bike pegs, which incidentally I think could be used in place of these rollers that you guys are having a hard time knurling. Found them for $8 on amazon.com.

illnastyimpreza · 03-08-2009, 06:44 AM

holly **** this is awesome ! I totaly bought this pasta maker to actually make pasta with a few months back..... The pasta tasted like store bought, so I gave up. Now I have an actual use for the freakin thing !

I'll have to hit you guys back once I get into all grain....I'm still waiting for my GF to finish my bag so I can try brew in a bag

Philsc · 03-08-2009, 05:12 PM

This is the thread that lured me to join this site.

I have a pasta roller. Bought it, funnily enough, at an art supplies shop. The Bay didn't have one, Sears didn't have one. The kitchen supplies stores were selling them for over $100 - at that price I might as well get a dedicated grain mill. I was beginning to give up and nipped into the art supplies store next to the art college in dowtown Toronto and they had two.

Now, the problem is knurling them. Most people on this site are very tool savvy. I bought a hammer once, but returned it because it didn't come with instructions. I'll have to ask my neighbour if he can knurl for me. I've never asked someone to knurl before. I'm a bit nervous.

I phoned a couple of machine shops and they come out at $200 - 300 for a knurl!

I've got a couple of questions for the pioneers of this brewing technology:

1. I saw an italian site which was, thankfully, translated here:

Bodensatz Brewing - The Beer Site

There's a beautiful knurl on those rollers, but it also states that the walls of the rollers are quite thin. It looks like some of you guys have been mercilessly brutal to those rollers. Have you gone through the stainless steel and hit something else or were the Italians worrying over nothing?

2. Nostrildamus - Just to confirm, when you say you held the disk at a 45 degree then -45 degree angle to the roller, do you mean you're sanding Xs into the rollers? Could we have a photo of your knurl?

3. Mosfet - did those little Xs work before you got the lines?

I may do the drill bit up against the rollers as per Brown Dog's method (whatever's easiest for my neighbour). Although, I'll ask at the locksmith if they can help me out.

This is an amazing thread - cutting edge. Thanks so much.
You may just have saved an incipient brewing career.

Phil

MOSFET · 03-08-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philsc

3. Mosfet - did those little Xs work before you got the lines?

Phil

No, my Xs weren't deep enough. What worked well was milling horizontal lines. After the machine shop did a few lines it was improved, but it was only really good after I machined a few more, but deeper. Definitely be careful because the rollers are hollow! Since few people can access a milling machine, the other suggestions using drill bits, etc. seem more practical. Another thought I had but did not implement was somehow fastening a piece of metal screen wrapped around each roller. I tried plastic screen but it ripped apart. In the meantime I machined the lines. Good luck. Just finished my 9th pasta roller brew yesterday. Love it.

TerapinChef · 03-08-2009, 09:22 PM

I didn't even come close to cutting through, and on closer inspection after removing the rollers, they're not as thin as I thought they would be. Stilll going to talk to a gunsmith, just waiting for someone to get me in touch with one. I know a few people who know gunsmiths and I was hoping to use one of them.

**Homercidal** · 03-09-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philsc

This is the thread that lured me to join this site.

I have a pasta roller. Bought it, funnily enough, at an art supplies shop. The Bay didn't have one, Sears didn't have one. The kitchen supplies stores were selling them for over $100 - at that price I might as well get a dedicated grain mill. I was beginning to give up and nipped into the art supplies store next to the art college in dowtown Toronto and they had two.

Now, the problem is knurling them. Most people on this site are very tool savvy. I bought a hammer once, but returned it because it didn't come with instructions. I'll have to ask my neighbour if he can knurl for me. I've never asked someone to knurl before. I'm a bit nervous.

I phoned a couple of machine shops and they come out at $200 - 300 for a knurl!

I've got a couple of questions for the pioneers of this brewing technology:

1. I saw an italian site which was, thankfully, translated here:

Bodensatz Brewing - The Beer Site

There's a beautiful knurl on those rollers, but it also states that the walls of the rollers are quite thin. It looks like some of you guys have been mercilessly brutal to those rollers. Have you gone through the stainless steel and hit something else or were the Italians worrying over nothing?

2. Nostrildamus - Just to confirm, when you say you held the disk at a 45 degree then -45 degree angle to the roller, do you mean you're sanding Xs into the rollers? Could we have a photo of your knurl?

3. Mosfet - did those little Xs work before you got the lines?

I may do the drill bit up against the rollers as per Brown Dog's method (whatever's easiest for my neighbour). Although, I'll ask at the locksmith if they can help me out.

This is an amazing thread - cutting edge. Thanks so much.
You may just have saved an incipient brewing career.

Phil

That is quite expensive for a knurl. I set it up on a lathe at work and it was not hard to do. Still, a wood lathe would not work, because the tool rest is not nearly sturdy enough, nor provide enough pressure, and the lathe itself spins many times too fast on lowest setting.

I like the dremel texture and drill bit approach. Hey, if it works, right?

I built a crusher at work out of scrap stuff and it's nearly complete, but if I'd known about this, I may not have built it from scratch. Well, I have the plans drawn up now, so I might still make another one for a friend anyway.

The knurl tool I used at work did put a texture on the rollers, but it was still too fine to be useful. The grains were not pulled in very well. It's not currently geared for both rollers to roll, so I'm looking to purchase a couple of gears and add them to it. That should do it.

RedIrocZ-28 · 03-09-2009, 07:54 PM

THe one I bought will definitely not crush without a knurl on the "drums" I don't think. After cutting the handle off and attaching it to my variable speed drill I can tell its going to be dificult to crush all the grain without some texture on the rollers. So, I contacted my buddy who said he will knurl them for "beer". I said deal!

So... I am going to have to figure out how to disassemble the side that has the adjuster knob on it. Anyone??? I can't seem to figure it out.