Deciding between Kegco or monster 3 pro mill

[Nagorg]

My MM2 has been great. Went for a 2 roller with the bigger 2" rollers after reading about additional pains with a 3 roller mill.

 

[olotti]

I bought the Kegco, mainly for the bearings. I then built a large base and a hopper extension. The only thing I don't like about the Kegco is that it has stainless rollers.View attachment 679660View attachment 679661
Before and after.

my plan is to have it set up like your second pic. What do u have the gap set at? Do u condition the grains? Did yours come with the black plate base and if it did is it quality or just better to mount it as you have it in the second pic.

 

[CodeSection]

....What do u have the gap set at? Do u condition the grains? .....

As you will see, many HBT members mill at different gap sizes Vote for your Grain mill Gap setting It really is going to depend upon your setup/process and how much you fine tune to achieve efficiency. You will need to dial it in to your setup. Personally, I mill at .035 with my setup.

Since you are learning about grain mills, you might find the thread below beneficial to learn about using a drill with high torgue and low RPMs...... So what’s the right Harbor Freight drill for a mill? 20% off coupon out now

 

[olotti]

As you will see, many HBT members mill at different gap sizes Vote for your Grain mill Gap setting It really is going to depend upon your setup/process and how much you fine tune to achieve efficiency. You will need to dial it in to your setup. Personally, I mill at .035 with my setup.

Since you are learning about grain mills, you might find the thread below beneficial to learn about using a drill with high torgue and low RPMs...... So what’s the right Harbor Freight drill for a mill? 20% off coupon out now

good point About the milling. Guess I was just looking for a starting point.

I read that thread yesterday, very informative. It led me to the hf site coincidentally there’s one about a mile away from me. Found a nice corded d handle drill with the high torque low rpm settings for 45$ On their site.

 

[Dave Sarber]

my plan is to have it set up like your second pic. What do u have the gap set at? Do u condition the grains? Did yours come with the black plate base and if it did is it quality or just better to mount it as you have it in the second pic.

I have mine set at .025. I think I ordered mine from MoreBeer, and it did come with the black metal plate, which is very sturdy. However, it does not come with the plywood. The way it is intended to be used is upside down from the way I have it in the picture. The lips on the plate are supposed to fit inside a bucket to keep the mill positioned. The drawback with that is the large gap left exposed allows grain dust to go everywhere. When I first set it up, I reversed the metal base and added the plywood just to keep the dust in check.
And no, I don't condition the grains.

 

[Dave Sarber]

I have mine set at .025. I think I ordered mine from MoreBeer, and it did come with the black metal plate, which is very sturdy. However, it does not come with the plywood. The way it is intended to be used is upside down from the way I have it in the picture. The lips on the plate are supposed to fit inside a bucket to keep the mill positioned. The drawback with that is the large gap left exposed allows grain dust to go everywhere. When I first set it up, I reversed the metal base and added the plywood just to keep the dust in check.
And no, I don't condition the grains.

BTW, I still use the metal base plate, but I used the lip to attach a hinge.

 

[Stand]

For me it would come down to diameter of rollers and how hard they are.

They knurling on my barley crusher is toast, and the crush I am having a harder time sparging.

I am waiting for Maltzilla to come to US for an upgrade.

 

[olotti]

BTW, I still use the metal base plate, but I used the lip to attach a hinge.View attachment 679703
View attachment 679704

thnaks for the reply. So could I remove the base plate and either build my own like u have or I think u said it’ll fit the monster mill base plate as well and I could just buy that, right?

 

[Dog House Brew]

How I set mine up.

 

[Dave Sarber]

thnaks for the reply. So could I remove the base plate and either build my own like u have or I think u said it’ll fit the monster mill base plate as well and I could just buy that, right?

I don't know if the monster mill plate will fit or not.
I only used the plate so I could hinge the whole mill to check the gap. There are graduations on the adjusting knobs, but I like to check the gap with a feeler gauge.

 

[olotti]

I don't know if the monster mill plate will fit or not.
I only used the plate so I could hinge the whole mill to check the gap. There are graduations on the adjusting knobs, but I like to check the gap with a feeler gauge.

I really like that idea. So you flipped the metal base and hinged it to flip the mill so u can measure the gap. I’m pretty anal about stuff like this and like the way this sets up. Where did u get the base board it’s mounted on? And the hinge?

 

[Dog House Brew]

My MM3 setup works great. Would I buy it now with so many options, I’m not sure. A true sealed bearing would be an improvement. The stainless rolls show no wear. I’ve probably ran 40-50 sacks through it. I bought the stainless because of conditioning.

 

[olotti]

My MM3 setup works great. Would I buy it now with so many options, I’m not sure. A true sealed bearing would be an improvement. The stainless rolls show no wear. I’ve probably ran 40-50 sacks through it. I bought the stainless because of conditioning.

Thats a nice setup.

 

[Dave Sarber]

I really like that idea. So you flipped the metal base and hinged it to flip the mill so u can measure the gap. I’m pretty anal about stuff like this and like the way this sets up. Where did u get the base board it’s mounted on? And the hinge?

Ok. The hinge is from Home Depot. The plastic bin is from Walmart. The wheeled base is from a furniture dolly from Harbor Freight. The sheet metal for the hopper extension, Home Depot. The angle iron reinforcing the top deck is from an old bed frame. Paint from home Depot. All wood from my shed.

 

[matt_m]

I was conditioning my malt with 2% water but didn't find it made much difference for me plus I kind of hated doing it and if I didn't wait long enough for it to fully equalize it tended to gum up the knurling.

 

[olotti]

View attachment 679749
View attachment 679750
View attachment 679751
Ok. The hinge is from Home Depot. The plastic bin is from Walmart. The wheeled base is from a furniture dolly from Harbor Freight. The sheet metal for the hopper extension, Home Depot. The angle iron reinforcing the top deck is from an old bed frame. Paint from home Depot. All wood from my shed.

appreciate the assistance. Think I’m going with the kegco.

 

[Dave Sarber]

More details. Top pic is my solid state speed control.
Bottom pic is a wood block installed between hinge and plate, to keep adjustment knob off the deck when mill is swiveled up. The hinge is from a 4 foot long piece that you cut to length.