win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Donkee Ball Spinner  (Read 25717 times)

Artimust

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 795
Donkee Ball Spinner
« on: February 03, 2014, 04:48:04 PM »
Was on the other thread in regards to ball spinner torque, but I'd like some opinions on the Donkee. 
I have read both good and bad, but mostly bad in regards to the vibration.  Is it really that bad or is is exaggerated?  How's the quality?  I know most will say go to Vertex or Innovate or Jayhawk, but the Jayhawk is really expensive, and the shipping cost on the Innovate is $100.  Vertex never responded to my inquiry about shipping.  Donkee quoted me about half the cost of shipping than Innovate. 

 

Nails

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1703
Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #31 on: February 09, 2014, 05:43:14 AM »
My Donkee is about 10 years old. It does wobble a little on the low setting, but not enough to pose a problem. I have mine on a rubber mat to dampen it a bit. Even though others have done so without any issues, I'd hesitate to bolt it down. If you don't give the vibration somewhere to go/release, I'd think it would place a lot of torque on the shaft and housing.

I rarely use the high speed, but if you only use it for cleaning and polishing there isn't a problem. Just place the ball in the most stable position for the core and you won't have any problems. A highly asymmetric ball might wobble more, but for me they are usually my oil balls so I never apply polish to them. If you need to sand 4 or 6 sides I only ever use the low setting. When the core gets too far off center, it can wobble a lot on the high setting. In my opinion, you don't need the high setting for sanding.

For home use with a normal arsenal, I think the Donkee is perfectly acceptable. If you are trying to maintain equipment for several other people, you might look at other options.

Artimust

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 795
Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #32 on: February 10, 2014, 05:33:08 PM »
With the cost for all 3 spinners being within $15 of each other (with shipping included) I had to look at warranty. 

Being that the Donkee had only a 1 year on the motor, I could not take that chance that it would peter out after a year.  I really did want the 2 speed option though. 

The best warranty was the Innovative with a 5 year, 2 years more than Vertex for the motor.  Hopefully I never have to have it serviced or have any problems because shipping will be outrageous.  I'm hoping that because they back up their machine with a good warranty, that it is built to last. 

Thank you everyone!


Pat Patterson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1852
Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #33 on: January 02, 2021, 01:09:46 PM »
Bought mine in 2003 and have only replaced the belt, it does vibrate but not as uncontrollably as some state.

Still working flawlessly after 18 years.
Pat Patterson

MI 2 AZ

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8150
Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #34 on: January 02, 2021, 02:35:55 PM »
I never commented on this thread before because I don't think I have a Donkee.  In fact, I don't know what model I have as there is no name on the unit nor was there on the box it came in. 

I ordered it from a pro shop back east around 1995.  Not sure if the online bowling sites were running then.  The only name I can see is on the motor - Dayton sump motor.

If anyone has an idea of what brand it is, I would appreciate knowing.

But whatever brand it is, it is still running good with no maintenance done on it for about 25 yrs.

I know it was from around that time period because I found a card with notations on what grits I was experimenting with on a Piranha back in Jan, Feb, and March of 1996.
_________________________________________
Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

ABC/USBC Lifetime Member since Aug 1995.