Grain Mill power

Texas_Red

I have a Monster Mill 3 roller pro that I picked up really cheap because it needed a little work. I replaced the drive roller and all of the bushings. My first time using it I used my cordless Dewalt DCD796. On the low speed setting I had no problem driving it at a low speed but it did seem to make the drill get quite hot. So thinking a corded 1/2 drill would be a better choice I went to see what Harbor Freight had. I ended up getting this as it was on sale.

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7.5 Amp 1/2 in. Variable Speed Hammer Drill/DriverAmazing deals on this 1/2In 7.5 Amp Vsr Hammer Drill at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com
Well it did not do the job at all. It wouldn't even start the mill at low speed. Eventually it would start but way too fast. Ended up switching back to my Dewalt which had no problems at all. Should I just keep using my cordless or do I need a better drill that has more torque at low speed.

IslandLizard

That drill ^ has these specs: Speed (max): 2800 RPM.
That's way too fast for milling without a geared (speed) reducer.
You'd probably want this model:

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7.5 Amp 1/2 in. Variable Speed Spade Handle DrillAmazing deals on this 1/2In Spade Handle Drill at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.comSpeed (max): 0 to 550 RPM
I own the older model of that, with similar specs, used on an MM2. It runs at about half the max speed setting, effectively at ~150 rpm under milling load.
Should work well for your MM3 too.
Or this one:

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7.5 Amp 1/2 in. Low Speed Spade Handle Drill/MixerAmazing deals on this 1/2In Low Speed Drill/Mixer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.comSpeed (max): 0-600 RPM

Texas_Red

OK that makes sense. The Dewalt on the low speed gear is 550 RPM. Didnt even consider that when shopping. Luckily I can exchange it.

IslandLizard

Many brewers use their battery powered drill for milling, without issues. Those drills usually have plenty of torque, and are typically lower speed already.
Perhaps mill in 2 or more sessions and let the drill cool off in between?
For 1.5" diameter rollers, like your MM3, a speed of around 150 rpm is recommended. It translates to a linear speed of around 12"/sec (ips), which is ideal for milling malt/grain in brewing. Less hull shredding.

bracconiere

just pop in here with this, and a rigged mount for it, even holding a drill is a lot of work after a few years...

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GENESIS 120-Volt 1/2 in. Variable Speed Spade Handle Electric Drill with Lock-On Button and Auxiliary/Spade Handles GSHD1290 - The Home DepotThe Genesis 1/2 in. spade handle electric drill delivers 850 RPM Variable speed power with a 9.0 Amp motor. This is a must have for projects that require the 1/2 in. chuck for larger bits. The includedwww.homedepot.com

deroosa

I have used the 1/2 Harbor Freight Spade drill suggested above with a regular MM3. I added a router speed control to be able to dial the rpm’s down further. I mounted it to the table using a bolt, some scrap wood, and some washers to the aux handle mount on the left side of the drill as well. It works great, it’s just really loud. I found that I still wanted to turn the speed down a bit and I suspect with the larger rollers of the pro that I would have really wanted to slow it down. I can get you a pic tonight if you are interested.
I also picked up of a used MM3 Pro in need of rehabbing. It’s being driven by a 1.5 hp, 1725 rpm motor with a 10:1 reducer.
Hopefully a link to the router speed control. Amazon is currently out of stock
MLCS 9410 20-Amp Heavy Duty Router Speed Control - Power Tool Accessories - Amazon.comMLCS 9410 20-Amp Heavy Duty Router Speed Control - Power Tool Accessories - Amazon.comwww.amazon.com
MCLS has them

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20 AMP Heavy Duty Speed ControlNew and Improved. 20 amp Heavy Duty Speed Control. Run large bits at the proper speed.www.mlcswoodworking.com

wepeeler

What great finds on the MM3’s! I’m going start looking. I think the MM website indicates that the MM3 is too much for cordless tools. I have the MM2 with an old plumbing right angle drill that’s 550 rpm. the HF speed control does a good job dialing down the rpm’s even more.

passedpawn

I bought this for "jobs around the house" ie milling my grain + ice fishing auger. Works great. 2 batteries, so one is always charged. There's a lever on top of the drill with 2 settings - 1 or 2. I use it on the 2 setting (I'm guessing more torque?) with the drilling power to 14. It's just under the highest drill setting. Goes fast and crushes even the most stubbornly hard malt ie white wheat malt.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079N5B41N

McMullan

I use a DeWalt's XR 20V drill and it turns my 3-roller mill without hesitation, even at low speeds. It's never hiccupped once. I've milled wheat, which is harder, and again no problem.

Komodo

I'm a Dewalt corded guy, personally.

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But I have considered feeding spent grains to hamsters in a treadmill.

deroosa

I just bought the DeWalt 800 to replace my old drill driver and I'm thrilled with this thing.
My mill is cobbled together and uses a motor though. I didn’t have a large pulley to get the speed I wanted, so I cut one from plywood, grooved the edge just for proof of concept. It worked so good I left it as is. It eats grains like nobodies business and makes me laugh every time I use it.

adpostel

MM3 with harbor freight spade drill mounting

seatazzz

deroosa, This is EXACTLY what I am wanting to do. I just purchased a 3-Roller Mighty Mill, and am still figuring out how I want to mount everything up. I will be purchasing a dedicated Mixing Drill to drive it.

IslandLizard

Subbed. My new Mighty Mill 3-roller will be here tomorrow, and I'm concerned that my corded drill might be too powerful to run it. I have a 19v Kawasaki cordless drill, but have no idea where the charger is. A new charger is almost the same price as another drill so I'm waiting to see what the corded drill will do.

Red-over-White

The main issue is the high speed these drills run at. They'll slow down somewhat when under load, but not quite enough. A low speed drill will give you much more torque.
See my posts #2 and #4, above, about speed vs torque.^
For grain used in brewing a linear mill speed of around 12"/sec (ips) is recommended. IIRC, I got that on a pro forum.
Roller diameter vs. drive speed (rpm):
For a 1.3" diameter roller mill (e.g., Barley Crusher, Cereal Killer):
Circumference = 1.3" * 3.14 = 4.082"
Drive speed: 12 ips / 4.082" * 60 sec = 176 rpm
For a 1.5" diameter roller mill (e.g., a Monster Mill MM2 or MM3) <==
Your Mighty Mill's 3 rollers are also 1.5" diameter (per their 'Questions' section)
Circumference = 1.5" * 3.14 = 4.71"
Drive speed: 12 ips / 4.71" * 60 sec = 152 rpm
For a 2.0" diameter roller mill (e.g., an MM2 2.0):
Circumference = 2.0" * 3.14 = 6.28"
Drive speed: 12 ips / 6.28" * 60 sec = 115 rpm

wepeeler

This is an alternate option that works rather well. It's a 50 rpm gear motor. I mill into the mashtun and store the whole shooting match in the mashtun too. I do really like milling hands free while setting up other things on brew day.

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