Mill DYI

[67coupe390]

Hello, everyone,
I finally finished my DYI grain mill. It looks great!!! (pat on the back) To you all who made their own mills. Did you have trouble with the knurls on your rollers? I made a sweet set of rollers out of SS and they were no good. They ether crushed the grain too much or didn't grab the grain at all. Then I made a set out of aluminum rollers and the knurl was more aggressive and they work good much better. What did you all use? Do I need to buy a better knurling tool for SS? My mill works now but I'm looking for some good info on what to do or not do when building a grain mill? Seems like a good thread for the frugal brewers getting into all grain and needing to make a mill on the cheap.
The guys at work always pick on me for making stuff but what the heck free is free!! So what if I make tent stakes out of scrap aluminum when I can just buy them for $5.00 Right???!!!??? I could buy a mill for $130.00 or make one for free!!

 

[Cede]

How did you knurled your mill rollers ?
SS is really hard to knurl by pressing it, you have to make the knurl pattern by cutting metal.
Long time I did not put my hands on a lathe but when we had to knurl SS, we used a CNC lathe with a cutting tool to make screws filets.
For mild steel and aluminium we rolled it.

It's not only a matter of money, but doing something with your hands

 

[67coupe390]

It's not only a matter of money, but doing something with your hands

Thats exactly it!!!:rockin:

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I used mild steel and used a roller knurling tool. I made some rollers out of aluminum the same way. Both work fine. I'm glad I didn't go to the expense of getting some stainless stock - it's just too hard to machine (at least with my equipment).

 

[67coupe390]

I don't think that I will make another set of rollers out SS.
Yuri, what dia. rollers did you use?

 

[Yuri_Rage]

All of mine have been 2"

 

[HenryHill]

I bet the guys at work sit on their azz and play cards or just talk about people instead of doing something for themselves...typical...

 

[67coupe390]

I bet the guys at work sit on their azz and play cards or just talk about people instead of doing something for themselves...typical...

YOU MUST WORK AT THE SAME PLACE AS ME.lol

 

[MashStirBrew]

Great post! I have been wondering about making my own mill lately. I am still a noob extract brewer, so it is not on the must have list, but it would be nice to grind my own steeping grain. The only problem is I have not seen the inner workings of a “real” mill. So designing one that is “functional” and not a waste of time is my concern. I am a machinist by trade (at least that’s what they tell me). So access to materials and machines are no problem. If you guys could post some pics or point me to a “break down” of good mill I would be grateful. Another reason I was putting this off is because I was thinking the rollers needed to be splined on the o.d. That’s a little more in-depth than I wanted to get. Knurling would be sooooo much easier. My local brew buddies are also fellow machinists so this project could be mass produced fairly quick if I can get a makeshift blueprint going. I just hope my boss isn’t reading this…. Thanks

 

[Cede]

You should take a look at crankandstein.

They put some nice pictures of mills and lot of infos

 

[HenryHill]

67coupe390-Toolmaker. Been in a lot of shops (they go under).

 

[67coupe390]

If you want to I can send you a drawing of my mill too.

 

[MashStirBrew]

If you want to I can send you a drawing of my mill too.

That would be great!!! I sent you a PM with my email.


Thank you Thank you....

 

[67coupe390]

That would be great!!! I sent you a PM with my email.


Thank you Thank you....

I sent you some pics and a drawing of the one I made which is similar to some of the others.
If anyone else is interested in a "caveman" drawing of the mill drop a line. (just don't pick on me to bad) Or you can see pics in my gallery.