More mill questions. Corona mill users.

[Jiffy176]

Hi all.
I acquired a genuine Corona Mill from ebay for a tenner so thought I'd give it a go with some Maris Otter.
Below is a comparison.
On the bottom of my finger line my milling on the top HBS pre milled MO.

Second pic some more of my milling using a drill instead of the handle.

Does anyone have a view if the milling is about right, or
Too fine or too coarse.
Thanks.

 

[Agentgonzo]

Milling in the second picture looks about right, assuming every kernel is cracked open.

The pre milled stuff in the first picture looks about right too. The top of the first picture looks to fine, but not drastically so

 

[Jiffy176]

Thanks. That's roughly what I thought. I adjusted half a turn out between my first and second go.

 

[Jiffy176]

Set myself up a mill station this morning. Old brewing bucket with an old piece of wood put through.
5l water bottle fashioned into a grain Shute and old coffee can used as a grain Shute as the mill didn't come with one.
I've now used 4 washers either side of the bracket and by clamping down tight this stops the wobble.
The shift spins completely on the ball bearing and so the cotter pin is clear of any obstruction.
I just need to reset the gap and job done. The top of the water bottle just lifts up to allow adjustment.
Total cost with some post about £20 quid and some old bits recycled.
Next brew will be a home ground brew.

 

[MashBag]

Cracking device

I had a fiddle with these years ago. Conditioning makes a difference. Must be threads on it here. Have a read up and decide for yourself

Also keep an eye one the plates lock nuts, once you are using a drill they do tend to get away.

And Gonzo covered it, but I want to emphasise you want it all "cracked" not flour. Look and the hulls to set the plates not the white germ.

Hmmm. That leads me onto another thread...

 

[Jiffy176]

Thanks. I think that's the issue I need to learn as I'm guessing the ready milled I buy is put through a roller where the hulls are cracked, where as the the Corona seems to shred / tear them. Guess the test will come with a brew.
Yes I did read about conditioning will read up.