Corded drill for grain mill

[eric19312]

LOL, looks like a nice setup! but i want to lash out, because people have been picking on me....you really need to vacuum that off, and laquer it!

This is why I did not post the picture in the motorized mills thread. There is some beautiful work over there and my $35 drill and recycled trash lumber doesn't belong. But I'm happy with my crush...

 

[bracconiere]

This is why I did not post the picture in the motorized mills thread. There is some beautiful work over there and my $35 drill and recycled trash lumber doesn't belong. But I'm happy with my crush...

i wouldn't worry TOO much....i just duct taped my drill to a piece of 2x2...called it a day....at least yours is still mobile. and i'm happy with my "crush" too! nothing quite like a work of art like that.....

for the OP...here you go...it's got the little thing above the trigger, i think is speed control...and a locking trigger...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373748972325?epid=19032241414&hash=item57052cbb25:g:8vEAAOSwQr9hXzwY

 

[szap]

I use this one from HF. It has the torque you are looking for.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power...-variable-speed-spade-handle-drill-63112.html

This is also the one I use. Works great at lower RPM's which is the way I like to mill my grains

 

[BarryBrews]

Consider mounting your drill and barley crusher so you can directly crush the grist into the mash tun. Saves steps and lowers the dust. This of course only works when you are underletting the strike water, which again would be saving effort since you would be pumping the water into the bottom of the mash tun. Works great for me and stores away right on top of the mash tun as shown.

 

[IslandLizard]

when you are underletting the strike water [...]

Which also reduces O2 pickup and clumping.

 

[IslandLizard]

Consider mounting your drill and barley crusher so you can directly crush the grist into the mash tun. Saves steps and lowers the dust.

+1 for mounting thus make a hands off, self contained milling rig.

I always mill outside, into a Homer or brew bucket, then pour the milled grist into the mash tun to keep all dust outside.

 

[Sky Pilot]

Here is how I mounted mine. That is an old bathroom sink cabinet with doors and other obstructing boards removed. Plywood top. Mill is held to the top with a C-clamp. Trial and error found some pieces of plywood to shim the drill level when connected to the mill. The top handle and grip handle are enough to keep the drill from flopping around when running. Bonus is it is easy to remove the drill from the stand when I need to use for for drilling a hole in something hard to drill (like a stainless steel pot).
View attachment 744851

It looks like a furniture piece from the 1920s

 

[Broothru]

Haha, I didn't consider turning my drill torque clutch to hammer mode. You're right, in that mode it's not gonna get stuck on a belligerent barley kernel.

Trust me. It'll even crush random pebbles in your grain. Don't ask me how I know.

I got a battery powered impact drill so I wouldn't have to get out my pancake compressor every time I had a tough nut to crack. Thought it might work as a motive force for a grain crusher. As another thread on this forum says, "Don't do that."

 

[Brewdog80]

I've been using a HF corded drill for the past few years. No issues at all.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power.../63-amp-12-in-variable-speed-drill-69452.html

THIS.... Both cheap, decent quality for HF, and way plenty of torque. Try it out after you get it. as with all their stuff, they can get a dud... and you have 30 days to return to replace

 

[csantoni]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I went with this one because it's 3/8" and at Lowes. The closest HF to me is a PITA to get to and Lowes is less than 3 miles.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-3-8-in-Keyless-Corded-Drill/5001915395Will report back after using it for brew day tomorrow.

edit: returned based on additional feedback and got the HFBauer 1996E-B

 

[Bobby_M]

Not good. That drill can do 2500 RPM and the speed control is not done via gearing but some type of voltage control. You'll end up having to run the mill too fast to get the torque you need. The better corded drills are those rated for a lower top speed or ones with an adjustable gear box.

The Harborfreight has a max of 600 RPM so the 200-300RPM range you'll want is at a much higher trigger pull.

 

[csantoni]

Ah, I didn't understand the max RPM would be an issue as I didn't entirely realize how slow you need to run the drill. Fortunately, they opened a new HF close by so I was able to swap the Lowes model for the Bauer 1996E-B. That thing is a freaking beast.

 

[shoengine]

Those adjustable wheels inside the trigger (limiting how far you can squeeze it in) have gone out of fashion apparently.

In a pinch one could use a ziptie to keep the trigger part-way engaged. Or combine it with a (wooden) wedge or so to control the tension. There are other methods.

Just don't walk away while it's running!

 

[csantoni]

That HF drill worked like a charm. Great crush.

 

[CaptMogul]

I purchased a 20volt li-ion Harbor Freight drill 2 years ago, a little cheaper than the HD Ryobi. Mistake, Trigger went bad. Customer Service said its out of stock and will not be available.