A basket mill is an immersion mill: a perforated basket filled with beads is lowered into the batch while a disperser-style shaft turns it. It is made for small and medium batches and fast colour changes. Here you will find how it works, how it compares with a bead mill and what to specify.
A basket mill grinding machine is common in solvent-based and specialty paint plants.
We help you choose the machine that fits your product, batch size and plant, with specification, commissioning guidance and operator training. For basket mill, the machine selection advice comes from IPCS (Indian Paints Consulting Service), based on your product, viscosity and batch size.
Basket Mill overview
The batch is first pre-mixed with a high speed disperser to wet the pigment. The basket is then lowered into the same vessel. The basket turns and forces slurry through the beads and out through the basket slots, which is a high-shear zone. Because the same vessel is used for pre-mix and milling, there are fewer pumps and vessels to clean.
Typical working figures from a vendor article
- Beads of 1.2 mm for a smaller basket and 2 mm for a larger basket, steel, glass or ceramic
- Slot width as small as 0.5 mm on newer baskets
- Basket about 80 to 85 percent full of beads by volume
- About 1 to 4 hours to reach 7 Hegman, which is about 12.5 microns
- Batches of 45 to 220 gallons on a 50 HP machine
These figures come from a vendor article and will differ by supplier, product and bead. Use them to plan trials.
Paint production applications for Basket Mill
It suits batch work with frequent changes.
Basket mill vs bead mill for paint: a basket mill changes over fast and uses fewer vessels. A horizontal bead mill runs continuously and suits larger volumes.
Technical specifications to review for Basket Mill
Ask for these in the quotation.
| Parameter | What to specify | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Basket size | Volume and slot width | Slot width limits the smallest bead |
| Beads | Material and size | Smaller beads for finer grind |
| Drive | kW with a variable frequency drive | Run at the maximum speed for grinding |
| Premix | High speed disperser | Pre-mixing is as important as milling |
| Lifting | Hydraulic lift and swing | Lifts the basket clear for cleaning |
| Solvent use | Flameproof motor and enclosure | Needed for solvent-based paint |
Capacity and configuration choices for Basket Mill
Basket mill capacity follows the batch size and the motor. A smaller basket on a smaller machine suits small batches, and larger baskets on larger machines suit bigger batches. Share your batch size and target fineness and we match the machine.
Installation & support for Basket Mill
Routine care
- Check the bead level and replace worn beads
- Inspect the basket slots for clogging and wear
- Flush and clean the basket between colours
- Check the shaft seal and the lift
- Log the milling hours
What we confirm before we quote
We confirm target fineness, batch size and colour changes, water or solvent use and pigments to be milled before we quote. Foundation, utility and commissioning guidance follows the confirmed size, and operators are trained on your own product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a basket mill for paint?
It is an immersion mill: a basket of beads is lowered into the batch vessel, and the product is forced through the beads as the basket turns.
Basket mill vs bead mill: which should I choose?
A basket mill suits small and medium batches and fast colour change. A horizontal bead mill runs continuously and is better for large volumes.
Is a basket mill suitable for solvent paint?
Yes. A basket mill for solvent paint is common, but the motor and enclosure must be rated for the solvent.
What is basket mill capacity?
It depends on the basket size and the motor. A vendor article lists batches of 45 to 220 gallons on a 50 HP machine.
How long does grinding take?
A vendor article gives about 1 to 4 hours to reach 7 Hegman. The time depends on the pigment and the beads.
Do I need a disperser with it?
Yes. The batch is pre-mixed with a high speed disperser before the basket is lowered in.
Discuss Basket Mill requirements with the machine team
Send us your product list, batch size and country for a basket mill quotation. Please include: target fineness, batch size and colour changes, water or solvent use and pigments to be milled.