Bulldog grain mill

MickDundee · Nov 22, 2018

I used mine for the first time tonight ready to brew tomorrow. I hope my efficiency jumps us sufficiently because what a fanny-on that was!

Firstly I had issues weighing the grain because my bathroom scales only recognise weight of it detects body heat so I had to keep picking up my bucket and standing on the scales myself.

I’d read somewhere that you shouldn’t use a mains powered electric drill with a grain mill, which was fine because I have both a mains powered and battery powered one. Anyway, I set it up with my battery powered drill and it was nowhere near powerful enough to turn the rollers when they were close enough to actually crush the grain, I was getting whole grain ina bed while grain out. After much swearing and adjusting, I switched to my mains powered drill and it blasted through it.

To top it off I’m now sneezing and sniffing like crazy and SWMBO is getting annoyed by it.

It’s looking good though:

IainM · Nov 22, 2018

Get some feeler gauges.

MickDundee · Nov 22, 2018

IainM said:
Get some feeler gauges.

What do they do?

cushyno · Nov 22, 2018

IainM said:
Get some feeler gauges.

Aye, that'll stop the sneezing. aunsure....

What's the issue with using a mains drill, is it something to do with electricity and lots of fine combustible material in the air? Interested to know.

MickDundee · Nov 22, 2018

cushyno said:
Aye, that'll stop the sneezing. aunsure....

What's the issue with using a mains drill, is it something to do with electricity and lots of fine combustible material in the air? Interested to know.

I’d read it was to do with the power of the motor ruining the mechanism, but it might be ball locks! I’m going to risk my big drill in future.

cushyno · Nov 22, 2018

When finished with my stock of crushed grain I may invest in one of these, so keep us posted on your fun with the new toy.

IainM · Nov 22, 2018

MickDundee said:
What do they do?

They let you set the gap at exactly the size you want for the crush you need. I go 1.1mm for barley and 0.9 for wheat. Not too tight to stress the drill, but tight enough for a good crush. Goldilocks loves it.

Bigcol49 · Nov 23, 2018

Hi @MickDundee
I used my Bulldog mill with a mains drill for the first time on my last brew - up till then I'd used arm power.
My battery drill, although good quality, wouldn't touch it - not enough torque.
The electric drill worked, but it turned the rollers far too quickly. It shook the mill so much that some of the bolts holding the hopper together came out and fell into the rollers, which jammed them - total failure!
Back to arm power to finish the crush.
I'm looking for a low speed, huigh torque motor to turn the bar steward!
I think someone online has rigged up a motor and sheave from a washing machine to do the job. Looking for a cheap washing machine locally, now.

Bigjas · Nov 23, 2018

I don't have a Bulldog mill, but it looks very similar to the 2 roller mill from Malt Miller that I have. I'm surprised a battery drill won't turn it? As for controlling the dust..... I attached mine to the lid of an old fermenter with a piece of MDF to stiffen up the lid. When its milling I get no dust at all.

Oneflewover · Nov 23, 2018

Sorry to go a bit off topic. My mill has 2 rollers that are independent of each other save for a rubber ring (looks like an o-ring) that engages the roller with handle to the other one. Anyway the o-ring snapped. Is it essential?

Bigjas · Nov 23, 2018

My mill has 2 rollers, one is driven by the handle/drill and the other is completely independent and spins freely. I think this is what you are asking? If so, then yes it works very well and mills quickly. You don't need to have the 2 rollers connected for it to work.

Mungri · Nov 23, 2018

I made a box to bolt my mill to. Takes the full 5-6kgs of grain
I usually mill.

Putting a bag inside to hold the grain helps avoid most of the dust.
When the grain’s been milled I can turn upside down for storing.

Works well with my battery Makita drill, but it’s only a single roller, so that might be the difference.
If I was buying a mill now I’d definitely pay the extra for a two roller version.

Bigcol49 · Nov 23, 2018

Hi!
The problem seems to generating enough torque - my electric drill turns the rollers, but far too quickly (200rpm is often quoted as the highest speed for milling).
Manual milling is a pain in the arm!

Mungri · Nov 23, 2018

Bigcol49 said:
Hi!
The problem seems to generating enough torque - my electric drill turns the rollers, but far too quickly (200rpm is often quoted as the highest speed for milling).
Manual milling is a pain in the arm!

I see what you mean. My drill does turn it slowly, then I turn the speed up a bit as recommended by somebody on here. Can’t remember who now.
Takes about 2 mins to mill a full hopper. Just as well. I’m having to put it through three times to get a decent crush.

Oneflewover · Nov 23, 2018

Bigjas said:
My mill has 2 rollers, one is driven by the handle/drill and the other is completely independent and spins freely. I think this is what you are asking? If so, then yes it works very well and mills quickly. You don't need to have the 2 rollers connected for it to work.

Thanks for that fella. As I said they used to turn together until the o-ring snapped. I'll see how I get on without it next brew athumb..

mathorp · Nov 26, 2018

I have found that a low-speed high-torque drill is required to drive a grain mill. In my case I use a Metabo SBE 1100 plus that can be slowed right down and has plenty of power. (This drives a three roller Crankenstein mill). With enough power you can optimise the gap for the crush and not worry about stalling out. As Mungri says, even with the low speed it only takes a couple of minutes for a small (5 kilo) batch of grain.
If the mill runs too fast then the grain may be ground up rather than crushed - then there are too many fines.
A higher torque drill is hard to handle and has to be tied down - to give it something to react against. I have undignified memories of my first attempt when the drill stayed still and the hopper/mill/bucket started spinning - another fine mess. I fixed this with a reaction bar sticking out from the mill - the drill handle is strapped to it.
Manual milling had a similar problem. I have no objection to the effort (more fun than the gym) but it was hard to apply the torque without everything tipping over.
Dust can be a problem - I have a flat board attached to the bottom of the mill that sits on the top of the bucket for the crushed grain. (Similar to the board shown under bulldog mills on the web). It has three pegs under it to locate in the top of the bucket and stop it sliding off.
It is a great idea to use an old washing machine motor. With enough reduction gears it should work well. Tricky to stop the drive belts slipping though.

MyQul · Nov 26, 2018

After reading this thread - what a faff!

chrisbjones202 · Nov 26, 2018

I’ve got a small 10.8v Dewalt drill that powers my bulldog no problem. Will work in 2nd too but it’s too fast.

IainM · Nov 26, 2018

Snap, also the Dewalt and bulldog mill. No problem on slow or fast.

Bigjas · Nov 27, 2018

MyQul said:
After reading this thread - what a faff!

I think it depends on what mill you have? I have a Malt Miller 2 roller mill and my cheap old Hitachi battery drill turns it no problem, doesn't even slow down and mills 5 kg of grain in a few minutes. With it attached to an old fermenter there is no dust and my efficiency has gone up about 10% so I can reduce my grain bill a bit. Its also quite satisfying milling my own grain, another step in this hugely rewarding hobby that I can do myself.

Bulldog grain mill

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