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Author Topic: Donkee Ball Spinner  (Read 26015 times)

Artimust

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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. 

 

Artimust

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #16 on: February 04, 2014, 10:48:11 PM »
It seems like for some, the vibration /wobble is a deal breaker,  but for others, it's ok to deal with.  So bottom line is that there is a vibration "issue" but it still gets the job done and the trade off is the 2 speed option. Now to decide between 2 speed and wobble or 1 speed. 
I did find one place that will ship an Innovate for about $65, but now I'm interested in the 2 speed option Donkee.....

vkowalski1970

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #17 on: February 04, 2014, 11:55:16 PM »
My vertex 1/2 is great.
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karryt

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2014, 01:23:18 AM »
Wow shipping costs sure have gone up. I bought the 1/2HP Vertex in '07 and they shipped it for $43 to Hawaii (USPS). Did notice if you go through their website it does actually deduct the shipping even if you put in a Hawaii address but not sure they'd honor it. I don't think I miss the dual speed, but I don't typically used polished equipment.

Artimust

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #19 on: February 06, 2014, 01:59:13 AM »
I use more polished equipment than non-polished.

I did contact Donkee and they said that they have been having wobbling complaints, but it was on spinners that were older than 7 years. The current owners bought Donkee 7 years ago and did a rebuild on the machine to eliminate the wobbling and have not been having this issue.
Anyone with a newer model Donkee can chime in? 

I'm still weighing my options, kinda want the 2 speed, but the Other brand 2 speed models are way more expensive (then the crazy shipping cost added on!). 

dmonroe814

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #20 on: February 06, 2014, 08:46:49 AM »
I use my Donkee extensively.  The amount of wobble depends on the position of the ball in the spinner.  The most stable is face down.
The only problem I have had is the slow speed switch is marginal.  By that I mean that I have to start it in high speed, then switch it to low speed.  Also the spindle keeps vibrating loose, so I have to tighten it about once a month.
I put the whole thing in a Tub to keep the spray from getting everywhere.
14lb 15.5 mph at pins 325 Revs. Silver Coach, Ball Driller. In Bag:  Storm Pro-Motion, Hyroad X, Matchup, Code Red.

Artimust

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #21 on: February 06, 2014, 09:34:27 AM »
dmonroe, how old is your Donkee?

So with the switch, you can't just start it on low speed, but switch it from high to low?  Is this normal or a problem with your switch? 

It does say on the Donkee site to routinely tighten the pulley, is this hard to do?  Meaning, do you have to remove this and that to get to the pulley to tighten, or is it just loosen a nut, pull, and tighten?  Do you have to do this with the  Innovate and Vertex as well? 
« Last Edit: February 06, 2014, 09:36:43 AM by Artimust »

DrBob806

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #22 on: February 06, 2014, 09:49:04 AM »
My Donkee spinner is 15 years old and still going strong.

Steven

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #23 on: February 06, 2014, 09:54:49 AM »
dmonroe, how old is your Donkee?

So with the switch, you can't just start it on low speed, but switch it from high to low?  Is this normal or a problem with your switch? 

It does say on the Donkee site to routinely tighten the pulley, is this hard to do?  Meaning, do you have to remove this and that to get to the pulley to tighten, or is it just loosen a nut, pull, and tighten?  Do you have to do this with the  Innovate and Vertex as well?


As far as problems, I suspect the Donkee is going to similar to any other spinner. Some will be problem free (like mine for 14 years), and others will have minor glitches. Spinners in general aren't mechanically complex devices, so it shouldn't be a major concern. What's important is if the company stands behind it. 

dmonroe814

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #24 on: February 06, 2014, 10:19:12 AM »
dmonroe, how old is your Donkee?

So with the switch, you can't just start it on low speed, but switch it from high to low?  Is this normal or a problem with your switch? 

It does say on the Donkee site to routinely tighten the pulley, is this hard to do?  Meaning, do you have to remove this and that to get to the pulley to tighten, or is it just loosen a nut, pull, and tighten?  Do you have to do this with the  Innovate and Vertex as well? 
Artimust My spinner is about 3 years old.  Pully is very easy to titghten.  Just lift is up and tighten it up with an allen wrench.   I have to start it on high and switch to low.  not sure if it is an anomolly or normal for Donkee.
14lb 15.5 mph at pins 325 Revs. Silver Coach, Ball Driller. In Bag:  Storm Pro-Motion, Hyroad X, Matchup, Code Red.

Artimust

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #25 on: February 06, 2014, 12:15:32 PM »
Thanks for all of your comments!  Getting a ton of great input and would love to hear more. 

Artimust

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #26 on: February 06, 2014, 02:32:28 PM »
Another thing that I am looking at is warranty.

Donkee-3 year on unit, 1 year on motor.
Vertex-5 year on unit, 3 year on motor.
Innovative-5 year on both unit and motor.

Checked on prices for all three and with shipping, they are with $15 of each other. 
The Donkee warranty is not looking very good to me.  1 year is not a very long time, so might have to scratch the 2 speed option.  Might....

skwira001

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #27 on: February 08, 2014, 05:14:23 PM »
Here's the thing.  Innovative now owns Vertex.  Vertex makes a good low end spinner.  My least favorite thing is putting too much pressure slows it down.  Donkee didn't slow down when you put pressure on it.  However, the feet being really thick rubber squishes as the weight block shifts making the whole spinner shake and vibrate.  The plastic also isn't strong enough for the weight block, so it too bends enough to make it shake.  The best way to handle a Donkee is to get a rubber mat to absorb the shaking.  Bolting it down doesn't do any good.  I've tried bolting them down, and it doesn't work.  I'd recommend operating Donkee's on a cement floor again with a rubber matt underneath.

Vertex is rock solid when it comes to not shaking.  It's only as good as what you put it on though.  If you put a Vertex on a table that really shakes, then it will not matter.  I have a super heavy duty work bench for $150, and there's no wobble.

Innovatives are the most rock solid on the market and won't slow down no matter how much pressure you apply.

All in all, Vertex is probably the best bang for your buck.  If you don't care that much about money then go with Innovative.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2014, 05:20:14 PM by skwira001 »

ImBackInTheGame

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #28 on: February 08, 2014, 05:34:30 PM »
My vertex is 1/2 HP and no matter how much pressure I use it does not slow down.

charlest

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #29 on: February 08, 2014, 07:06:59 PM »
Here's the thing.  Innovative now owns Vertex.  Vertex makes a good low end spinner.  My least favorite thing is putting too much pressure slows it down. ....

I have a 1/3 hp Vertex. I cannot understand your being able to slow it down. The torque on mine is enough that I cannot slow it down; I am 6', 240 lbs. I am not weak.
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davidinil

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #30 on: February 08, 2014, 08:40:55 PM »
I have a 5 year old Donkee 2 speed.  Yes it does wobble depending on how the ball is oriented in the spinner.  I really like the 2 speed feature tho.  Much better for applying polish than a 1 speed machine. 

I have had no problems with mine.  The wobble is an annoyance but only on the higher speed setting.  On low speed the wobble is next to nothing.  I have mine sitting on a carpeted floor.  It does not walk anywhere on the carpet.  The motor is powerful enough that it is difficult for me to push hard enough on the ball to bog the motor down.  And even at that it only when polishing a ball that the bogging down happens.  When using any abralon pads it never bogs down. 

I bought the Donkee primarily because it was the cheapest 2 speed spinner on the market.  So far it has served me well.