Well, after looking at these parts I collected for the last few years on my shelf I decided with all the bunker coming back it is time to build that power chum grinder. I had some scrap starboard and a outdoor HD light switch I hooked into it with a 50' of cord.

A heavy duty 3/4 hp motor mounted under the sealed starboard turning 1750 rpm to a 90 deg, 30:1 reduction gear coupled to a big meat grinder. I get about 1 rps of pure power now.:jump1:

Will test it out next week with some bait

Finally another thing off my to-do list.

Very nice! But Jim, you didn't have enough freezer space before you built this. What's next on the list? Walk in freezer? Bobby Brady beware....

Would love to see it in action! How about a home video of the test???

looks good! that should make for a good mess.

make sure you wear your slickers when using that bad boy! Nice work.

I have to get a different plate for this...it came with one with 3/16ths holes which IMO is more for making sausage then chum. I ordered a 1/2" and 3/4" plate and an extra set of cutting knives.

Does anyone else use a #32 grinder? What size plates do you find useful?

I have the same grinder and the holes are no bigger the 1/4 and most likely 3/16. I find myself taking it apart and cleaning out the mess around the blades quite often. I agree, bigger holes would help. My chum is like creamed corn. It will be interesting to see how long or how much chum you can produce before you have to clean it out.

I still have the one bought off Van a few years ago, manual type. I fitted a Kimble over the end of it, The Kimble can be made from a sausage stuffer or what 4 oz rod building thread comes wrapped(same thing) that allows you to fill jugs makes it convenient for freezing. I use liquid soap detergent jugs. It was a big learning experience which I no longer do, but if you do decide to go that rout DO NOT put the caps on tight and let sit,,,mine exploded all over my basement what a nightmare. Not sure what caused it but I did adds squid, scup, eels and tons of pogies.

Nice job Jim.

Nice work! My wife got me the big one from cabelas with the drill drive attachment. It works good with 1/2" drill. I have the stock 3/16 and 1/4" plates. It got jammed on me twice making 80lbs (2 full buckets). I still want to try the woodchipper :laugha: I found it helped to grind the fish semi frozen, too frozen too much work, unfrozen it just mushed up and came back up the tube. Semi frozen cunks and alternate pieces shrimp, fish, tuna, macks, herring over and over ect. mix in some bunker oil, sand, bread crumbs and mix in a big barrel. This chum worked the bomb last weekend to keep the macks under the boat!

The dogfish are going to love you for using that !

I still want to try the woodchipper :laugha: !

I have been told Woodchippers work pretty good. They produce a course grind. A little messy but they work best with frozen fish. I have not used one but I bet for volume, that may be the way to go. Depending on the size of the chipper...you could but a whole bluefish in there, head and all. I only need enough for my needs. I don't plan on going into the chum business.

If mine can digest a entire bunker I will be happy....we'll see. Even if I have to de-head them that is still fine...I can chunk with the heads. I know Van use his on whole macks with no problem and no clogging. He had a similar set up. I wonder what plate size he used?

As soon as this weater blows thru I will run over and get a couple of coolers of bait and give it a go.

Its kind of funny tht the show where "big pussy" was shot on the boat was aired last night.................all I could think about was your new grinder.

Sweet grinder /but your shop looks great also!!!
Me I'm still old fashioned I put bait in mouth chew then spit works for me I never thought of a grinder:confused: :wall:
Link SR

The small chipers work great with frozen macs. It comes out like Ivory Snow flakes.:bo:
http://home.comcast.net/~bigpete55/chum1.jpg

WOW, that sure looks familiar !!!!!

The same coupling too.

PM sent on the plate, I got stainless ones.

I also use a foot switch so its "HANDS FREE " in case of emergencies.

i can only imagine what a mess that makes on a warm spring/summer day.

WOW, that sure looks familiar !!!!!

The same coupling too.

PM sent on the plate, I got stainless ones.

I also use a foot switch so its "HANDS FREE " in case of emergencies.


Van, your picture isn't small enough. I can see the misalignment of that Lovejoy coupling from half a world away.:rotf3: :rotf3: :rotf3:

I was gonna mention the safety issue of an "always on" switch. Van nice point!

Also, macks are a natural. That's what I grind the most and their streamlined body makes them perfect. However it is the bones of the head that eventually clog the unit most often.

Big Pete, nice woodchipper chum!

i can only imagine what a mess that makes on a warm spring/summer day.


we'll do that at your place now.........

What type or how much maitainance will have to be done to the electrical end of the grinder as a result of salt corrosion do you think? Is the motor sealed? Just curious..

What type or how much maitainance will have to be done to the electrical end of the grinder as a result of salt corrosion do you think? Is the motor sealed? Just curious..

My motor is sealed, but thats just by chance. I do this in my back yard, so no salt water is used. It just gets really messy, with eyeballs and guts flying :rotf2: !!!!!!

But after I'm done, I wash and dry all the parts, there is a bearing in the back of the auger that i keep cleaned and oiled. Rust is what kills these.

Jim:
I also fitted a piece of that 6" or 8"yellow plastic pipe over the hopper that makes it deeper and not as messy. I can cram 3-4 macks into that pipe , its about 10" tall, and I push with a piece of closet pole.
I can show a pic assembled if you want.

I built one using old carbide skill saw blades. 15 with a 1/4"spacer between them. Powered by a 1/2 drill. We would freeze the macks and drop them in. Worked like a charm, but you better keep your hands clear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNToqv-wFdc

Looks Jim, but not for nothing get yourself a chunk of wood and push them in with that. Gives me the heebies seeing fingers that close. I get a pic of mine with the pipe on top and post later to give you an idea.

The pipe is 6" dia gas pipe, I routered it to fit the top oval and I hold in down with a bunge cord. Its about 8" deep and the wooden pole is like 16" to help them in. also see the foot switch.

I fill the pipe with 3-4 macks or pogie or herring whatever; and let it go, only push when they get jammed up.

Van, That looks good. I have been using a heavy garden stake to push and keep the fish in contact with the advancing screw, but when I was taking the pictures I had the camera in one hand and the fish in the other. (The thought crossed my mind of getting my hand caught on film)
The safety thing really should not be taken lightly. There is no way to reverse the direction of the screw without re-wiring the motor or disassembling this. I have a switch on the side for shut off but if your finger gets caught its gone. However It moves slowly and I really don't let my hand get too close.

That said, I am going to build a hopper like that. I like the ability to load the sucker up. I had no clogs or jams doing an entire cooler of whole bunker. I was using a 1/2" stainless plate and it gives a nice chum. I have a 3/4" plate too but have not tried it. Maybe for bluefish or hard fish.

Cool. Don't want to to see that same video on GROSS.COM. :smash:

I also have a toggle switch to reverse the rotation of the motor.
Its easy to wire and reverse the ploarity. So what I have to do is stop it from turning, flip the switch and it will reverse. Helps with those nasty clogs. And again the footswitch helps alot.

I think I will be grinding some more this week, I'm down to a couple of bags. Chum sorks great to get those baitfish. No good for anything else as all it does around here is attract DOGS !!!!

Yeah, that toggle switch to reverse the polarity is a very good idea. I know what wires do this as I had to reverse it after I hooked it all up as it ran backwards after initail assembly.

Rev "A" mods will begin next week. ( pol switch and hopper. )


I was supprised how cool the motor was but how warm the reduction gear got. Its full of fresh gear oil but it gets pretty warm after a half hour of running.