Bulldog grain mill

[BarnBrian]

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

View attachment 16480
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.

View attachment 16481

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.

Mungri. Why don’t you just put some flowers in it and leave it in the window, that would save you finding somewhere to store it.
Brian

 

[Mungri]

Mungri. Why don’t you just put some flowers in it and leave it in the window, that would save you finding somewhere to store it.
Brian

Not a bad idea. That might keep swmbo happy as well.
With my record of growing things though (or not growing things more like), maybe not.

 

[Wilfy]

Where's the cheapest place to get one of these?

 

[MickDundee]

Where's the cheapest place to get one of these?

Back in August I found Home-Brew-Online were cheapest. That might not still be the case though.

 

[Wilfy]

Back in August I found Home-Brew-Online were cheapest. That might not still be the case though.

Cheers Michael, that's cheaper than everywhere else I've looked.

 

[Cwrw666]

After reading this thread - what a faff!

I would have said so too but last brew I did I thought I'd try my electric drill on my Corona knock-off grinder - what a doddle! A full hopper took literally seconds compared to about 200 turns of the handle doing it manually. I know what I'll be doing in future.

 

[MickDundee]

After reading this thread - what a faff!

The experience I had for my 2nd brew was infinitely better than the first time.

Lots of people have a disappointing first time but enjoy it more when they do it again!

 

[BarnBrian]

The experience I had for my 2nd brew was infinitely better than the first time.

Lots of people have a disappointing first time but enjoy it more when they do it again!

That reminds me of my youth.

 

[MyQul]

I would have said so too but last brew I did I thought I'd try my electric drill on my Corona knock-off grinder - what a doddle! A full hopper took literally seconds compared to about 200 turns of the handle doing it manually. I know what I'll be doing in future.

By the sounds of it having a drill (and the one with the correct torque) seems to be the key to milling your own grain. I buy crushed base malt and mill my own specialty malts with a carona knock off

 

[Cwrw666]

By the sounds of it having a drill (and the one with the correct torque) seems to be the key to milling your own grain. I buy crushed base malt and mill my own specialty malts with a carona knock off

While I'm doing the opposite!
Yes, about the drill - a cheapo DIY drill is probably way too fast and gutless. Years ago I bought a Bosch `profesional' type drill which hurt financially at the time but was a good investment in the long term. You need a good strong wrist to fight the torque when grinding - acheived from years of lifting 20 oz weights...

 

[CaptAwol]

To control the speed of a drill use a cable tie over the trigger and slowly tighten to required speed, to stop it simply remove the battery. I use this for milling and whirl-pooling

 

[Bigcol49]

To control the speed of a drill use a cable tie over the trigger and slowly tighten to required speed, to stop it simply remove the battery. I use this for milling and whirl-pooling

Hi!
My problem is that my drill won't turn the mill at low speed - not enough torque!
I have an 18W battery drill and a corded drill, neither of which have enough "grunt" to turn the mill.

 

[CaptAwol]

Hi!
My problem is that my drill won't turn the mill at low speed - not enough torque!
I have an 18W battery drill and a corded drill, neither of which have enough "grunt" to turn the mill.

My drill is a 18v Ryobi and handles it easily, sounds like something is desperately wrong with the mill setup, does it turn easily without any grain and what gap are you using, I use an old credit card for the gap then test a few grains and finely adjust to ensure its enough to crack open the grain. Also I condition the grain before crush

 

[Bigcol49]

My drill is a 18v Ryobi and handles it easily, sounds like something is desperately wrong with the mill setup, does it turn easily without any grain and what gap are you using, I use an old credit card for the gap then test a few grains and finely adjust to ensure its enough to crack open the grain. Also I condition the grain before crush

Hi!
I also condition the grain and the gap is set by a credit card. I have no problem with the crush as far as efficiency goes.
My corded drill turns the mill, but much too fast. The vibrations are horrendous,
If I attempt to reduce the speed the mill stops turning.

 

[Norfolk79]

I use a DeWalt 18v cordless drill with my mill, although it does have a gearbox speed selector, so setting it at the slower, higher torque setting works, although I still have to throttle back the speed a bit else it goes too quick.

 

[bicyclerepairman]

I have the Bulldog, and turn it by hand. Take a bit longer, but it definitely works and I'm not sure using a high-speed, low-torque drill on a mill is good for either mill or drill. I mill outside, which solves the dust problem

 

[jayrussell]

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.

Where abouts did you get your mill from?

 

[Peter Scandlyn]

My drill is a 18v Ryobi and handles it easily, sounds like something is desperately wrong with the mill setup, does it turn easily without any grain and what gap are you using, I use an old credit card for the gap then test a few grains and finely adjust to ensure its enough to crack open the grain. Also I condition the grain before crush

Ahh yes, the old credit card trick.

Is it the embossed or the un-embossed part of the card you use to gauge, please?

 

[Clint]

American Express....

 

[Peter Scandlyn]

Not that keen.....