National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: mcgrath on November 05, 2014, 02:31:02 PM

Title: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: mcgrath on November 05, 2014, 02:31:02 PM
Have a smoothie maker that leaks from the jug so has sat in a press forever. Good powerful motor on it. Can anyone think of a use for it before I dump it?
Would like a good motor for my grain mill, but this turns too fast.
Any ideas welcome!!
Title: Re: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: imark on November 05, 2014, 03:56:45 PM
Belt drive to slow down the effective rpm of the mill?
Title: Re: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: LordEoin on November 05, 2014, 04:00:59 PM
I have the exact same thing taking up room in my kitchen and I was thinking of maybe turning it into an apple scratter
Title: Re: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: mcgrath on November 05, 2014, 06:39:45 PM
Quote from: imark on November 05, 2014, 03:56:45 PM
Belt drive to slow down the effective rpm of the mill?
Hadn't thought of belt. Was overcomplicating in my head thinking of a gearbox. I'll see what parts are available online.. Cheers!
Title: Re: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: Drum on November 05, 2014, 08:23:04 PM
What about using a bicycle chain and sprockets? Might be a bit heavy for the motor but an old bike is easy enough to find and something like a mountain bike will have a few different sized sprockets so you can play around with the gear ratio to find what works for the mill
Title: Re: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: mcgrath on November 05, 2014, 08:30:18 PM
Good  idea. Could break the chain to suit also.
Possibly get a chainguard too..
Title: Re: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: DEMPSEY on November 05, 2014, 10:00:14 PM
You can get plastic sprockets and chain from a model shop supplier. :)
Title: Re: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: mcgrath on November 05, 2014, 10:12:10 PM
Quote from: DEMPSEY on November 05, 2014, 10:00:14 PM
You can get plastic sprockets and chain from a model shop supplier. :)
Got the name of one?
Title: Re: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: Kevco5 on November 05, 2014, 10:19:11 PM
Direct drive, use a variable resistor of some sort!
Title: Re: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: mcgrath on November 05, 2014, 10:27:21 PM
Quote from: Kevco5 on November 05, 2014, 10:19:11 PM
Direct drive, use a variable resistor of some sort!
now that you mention it I bought a 220V regulator that I meant to use on my boiler.. that might do it.. I have a new project for tomorrow ;)
Cheers for the inspiration..
Title: Smoothie maker motor application..
Post by: pob on November 06, 2014, 10:21:16 AM
Here's a link to a motorised mill project

https://byo.com/stories/issue/item/1166-motorize-your-grain-mill-projects

Looks like they're using the gear wheel similar to one on the back of a washing machine/tumble dryer, connected onto the mill crank arm. Down to the WEEE recycle for a bit of recycling then.

Their prices of approx $20 for the two sheaves (= belt wheel?) & belt seem reasonable.