Monster Mill

[Golddiggie]

Where did you buy these screws?
Last time I milled on my MM-2 I noticed that gap loosen from previous setup.

Or reach out to Fred and request that he sends them to you. That's what I did when I was getting one of the sides replaced (to address a gap slip issue). He sent me hex head bolts threaded correctly for the mill.

If you don't want to wait, then you could get them locally, or from McMaster-Carr (use smokinghole's item for reference)...

 

[tagheuer]

Bah... For what that thing costs you can easily get the MM2-2.0 with hardened steel rollers (will easily out-last the stainless rollers) in 2" diameter (not the 1.5" that is the one linked above). Plus, the Monster Mill uses 6" long rollers, not the 5" long ones of the mashmaster... Plus, for about $15 less you can get the base and hopper from Monster.

But geared rollers are hard to resist.

 

[Golddiggie]

But geared rollers are hard to resist.

Easy to resist for me, at those prices... Now, IF they were 2" diameter, 6" long hardened steel rollers PLUS geared, that would be different...

 

[SloTimes]

6in long, 2in dia, geared, hardened steel rollers would be really nice... And that got me thinking. I have full access to a top of the line machine shop here at school (Cal Poly), why dont i just make it? The only thing I might have trouble with is the eccentric bearings to adjust the gap but i think I can just buy those. I needed a new project anyways!

 

[Golddiggie]

How about 3" diameter, 8" long hardened rollers? :rockin:

 

[SloTimes]

Im definitely going to have to look into this!! Its got potential to be the meanest grain mill this side of the rockies

Can anyone post a close up of the eccentric adjuster on some of your mills? Im not sure how Im gonna do this part yet.. and i still have to figure out where to get 3in dia hardened steel rod with out breaking the bank and making this project cost more then it would to by a MM.

 

[Golddiggie]

You'll need to get the 3" diameter rollers, knurl them, THEN send them out to be heat threated and tempered. Otherwise you can pretty much forget about putting the knurling pattern into them. Not sure which alloy Monster uses for their rollers, but you'll want either the same, or something very close.

I suspect that by the time you've designed the mill, worked through all the issues, and gotten it to work, you could have bought either one of Monster's three roller (2" diameter) mills with all the options or two of the MM2-2.0 mills.

 

[RJS]

Missed this thread, just made another called Monster Mill, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/monster-mill-300877/

but i will say it again since i love my monster mill...

14 lb's in 1 min. 45 sec.

 

[periwinkle1239]

Missed this thread, just made another called Monster Mill, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/monster-mill-300877/

but i will say it again since i love my monster mill...

14 lb's in 1 min. 45 sec.

Awesome, which one do you have?

I just finished my tax return, I'm getting a sweet refund! Monster mill here I come!

 

[RJS]

I got the mm2, the hopper extension is a must have

 

[RJS]

Oh ya, and SS rollers with 1/2 shaft. Bought 1/2 sheave from Grainger in Honolulu.

 

[periwinkle1239]

I decided on the mm2-2 with hardened steel rollers, it should last a very very long time. Based on some rough math it will take almost 2 years to pay off(versus buying crushed) oh boy!

 

[Golddiggie]

I decided on the mm2-2 with hardened steel rollers, it should last a very very long time. Based on some rough math it will take almost 2 years to pay off(versus buying crushed) oh boy!

Nice choice...

Even though it could take you a bit to get it to pay for itself, chances are it's going to last longer than you. Just make sure you run it at a low enough RPM to let it do it's best. I would aim for under 200-250rpm on whatever you use to drive it. When I eventually set mine up with a motor (need to move to a new place first, where I can brew at home again), I plan on having it run at about that speed.

Do you have your mill yet? If not, just wait until you use it for the first time. I would recommend going with hex head set screws, or allen headed set screws, over the thumb screws that are included.

 

[periwinkle1239]

Nice choice...

Even though it could take you a bit to get it to pay for itself, chances are it's going to last longer than you. Just make sure you run it at a low enough RPM to let it do it's best. I would aim for under 200-250rpm on whatever you use to drive it. When I eventually set mine up with a motor (need to move to a new place first, where I can brew at home again), I plan on having it run at about that speed.

Do you have your mill yet? If not, just wait until you use it for the first time. I would recommend going with hex head set screws, or allen headed set screws, over the thumb screws that are included.

Just bought it, don't have it yet but I can't wait. Thanks for the advice on set screws, I'll definitely do that.

 

[usfmikeb]

Make sure you mark the factory settings when you receive it, if you do plan on keeping the thumb screws that come standard.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

My thumb screws were loose upon arrival. Good thing I have a couple sets of feeler gauges. I plan on going to set screws in the future and possibly punching marks for several gap settings.

 

[pelipen]

Not only were my set screws loose, the rollers were visibly not parallel. Feeler gauges are so cheap, they should throw them in for free. Everybody with a mill should get a set for the $4 they cost.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Not only were my set screws loose, the rollers were visibly not parallel. Feeler gauges are so cheap, they should throw them in for free. Everybody with a mill should get a set for the $4 they cost.

Yup. As a mechanic I have a couple sets of nice angled tip feelers. I'm sure you could find a couple individual gauges for near nothing if this is your only need for them.

 

[periwinkle1239]

Monster mill is out of the hardened steel rollers until the end of the month so I changed to the regular steel. I won't be doing anything near commercial brewing so I don't think the hardened was ever necessary. Fred says the plain steel rollers should be good for 15k+ of grain. If that's the case I'll be set for 40 years based on an average brew size of 15 lbs and doing about 25 batches a year...will I still be brewing at age 70? One can hope!

 

[Lennie]

I have the regular rollers on my MM2 and no sign of deterioration.