Pellet heads!! What's up today?

x2 - Happy Birthday wildwest !

 

X3!

 

X4

 

Free is a good price....

The fella at Monster Mill was very helpful indeed....and he would probably love to sell me one of his mills..

My Cheapy mill is on its way now and should be here Monday.

I am just reluctant to toss more $$$$ at things until some data is available to work with.

If the little mill cracks the shells even half as good as IT LOOKS LIKE IT SHOULD then we are golden.

My biggest ??????? is how fast we can shove the shells through the mill.

Roller gap and roller speed are likely going to be the controlling factors.

The shells are nowhere as dense as grain or other materials that normally get tossed into these mills, and we are not trying to make flour out of the stuff either.

Just need to get the stuff broken up a bit.

Here is a pic showing the comparison of what we have been using with great results and then what we have now.

The left side is about perfect (Could be slightly coarser) and the new stuff on the left

 

X5

 

X6 - have a GREAT day!

 

Had a busy morning. Got everything ready for the dump run, semi-deep cleaned the P61a (didn't LBT, but everything else), cleaned out the P43 - nothing needed for exhaust, but cleaned firebox and ash bin chamber, went to dump then picked up 1/2 ton of TSC pellets. Got the pellets unloaded and now time for brunch. Trying to decide if I want to go car shopping to replace the old Focus.

Beautiful day out even if it is heavily overcast. Spring came and it is 49* so just running around in a sweatshirt (yes, the rest of me is clothed too, so get your minds out of the gutters you pigs ).

 

X7

 

Happy Bday Wild West...

 

Got underway on the base for the Shell mill today.

Went to THE DEPOT and picked up some 19/32 MDF (Hard fiber) to mount the mill on (Manuf's recommend it as its flat....

The 55 gallon barrels are all fairly close in size but I wanted a way to keep the mill assembly from possibly jiggling off the drum while its running, so I grabbed some aluminum bar and made some alignment stops that will bolt onto the bottom of the plywood baseboard...

I milled a slot in the one to allow for the odd duck barrel or ????


Gonna run to ACE hardware in a bit and get bolts, nylock nuts and washers.

I am still imagineering on the size to make the MDF piece.

Likely will wait until the mill gets here to do that part.

Depending on how this shakes out the mill base may get some mods later on.

If the cheapy mill will get us through this winter we will run the wheels off of it..


If we get the Monster Mill 2 pro then the base will get hacked up some.

I could care less about overall looks, it's FUNCTION FUNCTION FUNCTION...

Like the Vacuum unit to unload the stuff...NOTHING FANCY..Hoses tied up with rope to keep them on a low gradient and other McGyver Manuevers that worked.

Function, repeatability, and longevity.

 

Milling some grain for an ipa.I have a bucket under the table to catch the grain.Base attaches to the table with a single screw.I use a band clamp on the drill trigger to control rpm.Works great.

 

Happy Birthday!!!!! Hope you are well!

 

You think like I do......KEEP IT SIMPLE

My biggest issue is a very large throughput.

About 6000 pounds of shells a year.

Might not use it all, but always have plenty on hand.

 

Went to town and got bolts, a couple handles and a few nick nacks...

I got the aluminum EARS bolted on

Laid things out for the location of the MDF and subsequently the mill to sit.

Found a nice piece of aluminum round by the lathe to machine a pedestal to support the big 1/2 inch drill motor I got at Harbor Freight.

Also found a piece of aluminum angle to machine a rear support for the drill that will bolt on where the spade handle comes off.

Had an idea that a LOVEJOY coupling would be sweeeeeet.

I found one in the cabinet left from the days of EARTHSTOVE PELLET STOVES.

3/8 coupling will be nice.

As soon as the mill gets here (Monday) I will get to cutting and fitting the MDF and mounting the mill.

I may have to shim the mill up to get the drill to fit into the area... ???? we shall make it work.

Maybe have to put an extra piece of MDF under the mill only for height.


Gawd I love these projects (NOT REALLY)

Rather be getting shells like we have for decades...

 

I resemble that remark.

 

DAM! Caught again!