Grain Mill Settings

Flip · Post by **Flip** » Fri Jun 05, 2015 4:27 pm

I picked up an OBK grain mill and am just wondering what the gap should be between the rollers to get a good crush. I would also like to hook an electric motor up to this rig and am wondering if there is an ideal RPM that the rollers should be spinning?

Post by **LeafMan66_67** » Fri Jun 05, 2015 5:32 pm

I think OBK recommends 300RPM. 0.038 is the gap I use, works great for me.

Flip · Post by **Flip** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:39 am

For an electric motor, I can go two ways. I can probably pick up a standard AC 1750 rpm motor for nothing, or I can buy a small 300 RPM dc motor off Ebay for less than $20 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-12V-DC-300- ... 1440424387" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and make it direct drive. Is one way better than the other? I like the DC motor because it would use less space, but I can't seem to find an amperage requirement which I am assuming is important when wiring this thing up. This makes me wonder if any AC to 12V DC adapter will work.

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:56 am

Let me know if you get that motor and how it works. I'm looking at moving from the drill to something more permanent.

AlexMcConnachie · Post by **AlexMcConnachie** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:25 am

I'm looking at that motor and thinking the DC is a waste of $, I highly doubt a $12, 12vdc rc motor will crank a grain mill.

Edit: I shit on the original idea and gave you no alternative. Minimum 24vdc, and geared.

Source: Done electrical my entire life.

mumblecrunch · Post by **mumblecrunch** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:31 am

Would one of those little DC motors have the required power? I know it says "high torque" but it just seems like that would too small to do 300rpm off 12v with the torque required to mill grain.

(Disclaimer: my high school physics education didn't cover motors

)

Dave at Everwood has the alternative setup: a furnace blower motor, probably at 1750rpm and a belt drive. I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you (or show you) what was involved if you pop by the store when he's open. I'm pretty sure I've seen a few different how-tos online for motorizing but I'm also pretty sure they've all been the AC variant.

AlexMcConnachie · Post by **AlexMcConnachie** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:38 am

You're not looking for high rpm, you're looking for high cranking power. An old cordless drill, or even a 120v drill motor will do the trick.

They have the rpms and the high torque/power.

This information is not free, payment is I want to help on this build. Lol

GAM · Post by **GAM** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:43 am

Cheap 120v drill. take it off for storage.

S

Flip · Post by **Flip** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:46 am

Thanks for the info, I will probably go with the AC motor simply because I know that it will work.