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Author Topic: Donkee Ball Spinner  (Read 29367 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. 
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charlest

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2014, 07:27:34 PM »
It's bee 10 years since I sold the maxi-vibrating Donkee for a Vertex. I would certainly hope that in those 10 years Donkee has seen fit to modify their spinner to reduce those vibrations. I can't believe they stayed in business this long unless they had modified their spinners, but I have not tried them since then.
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jgrip

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2014, 07:52:33 PM »
I've had a donkee spinner for 12 years now.. best $100 I've spent
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vkowalski1970

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2014, 07:54:37 PM »
Vertex is offering free ground shipping on orders over $199. It's a no Brainer! :)
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St. Croix

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2014, 08:24:55 PM »
Quote from: vkowalski1970 on February 03, 2014, 07:54:37 PM
Vertex is offering free ground shipping on orders over $199. It's a no Brainer! :)

Artimust, check the Vertex website. Vertex does offer Free shipping on any order at $199 + which would cover your order. It is hard to believe that Innovative would charge $100.00 to ship. Where did you see that?
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charlest

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2014, 10:29:22 PM »
Quote from: vkowalski1970 on February 03, 2014, 07:54:37 PM
Vertex is offering free ground shipping on orders over $199. It's a no Brainer! :)

I think that must be for shipping within the 48 states. Arimust is in Hawaii; that's definitely going to be extra.
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Artimust

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2014, 11:57:17 PM »
Yes, I'm in Hawaii!   In most cases, the free shipping costs the 48, but has to be shipped via air to Hawaii. 
I'm going to try and contact vertex again, or maybe Amazon.  Hopefully one company will have a deal for me, just have to keep looking. 

But still looking for more satisfied Donkee owners to chime in.

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nolesftw

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2014, 11:59:43 PM »
The shipping to Hawaii is terrible. I've been wanting one but I'm not paying that much.
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lilpossum1

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2014, 07:56:12 AM »
We have had a donkee spinner for around 5 years. It vibrates a bit, but it isn't terrible once a person gets use to it. It would certainly vibrate its way off a table if we weren't paying attention though
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ImBackInTheGame

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2014, 08:38:57 AM »
I had a donkee and it loved to walk off the workbench.  I would have to push against it while using it to keep it from moving.  I sold it and bought a used Vertex 1/2 HP for $100, very happy with it.

The only "advantage" to the donkee is the 3/4 HP 2 Speed.  You can not get that from Innovative or Vertex at that price point.  A 2 speed innovative spinner is going to be over $500 IIRC.
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Dewey24

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2014, 08:51:48 AM »
I've had my Donkee for ten years now. It does shake sometimes but I've never had a problem with it. Never had to replace anything. For the price it was a great little machine.
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JamminJD

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2014, 09:02:20 AM »
Quote from: ImBackInTheGame on February 04, 2014, 08:38:57 AM
I had a donkee and it loved to walk off the workbench.  I would have to push against it while using it to keep it from moving.  I sold it and bought a used Vertex 1/2 HP for $100, very happy with it.

The only "advantage" to the donkee is the 3/4 HP 2 Speed.  You can not get that from Innovative or Vertex at that price point.  A 2 speed innovative spinner is going to be over $500 IIRC.

This^^^
Had the same problems even with it bolted to the bench, took it apart the shaft wears out the slot it goes in and this is what creates the wobble. Not a very good design and cheap parts. The two speed is nice at that price..
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Pat Patterson

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2014, 10:55:36 AM »
Bought mine in 2003 and have only replaced the belt, it does vibrate but not as uncontrollably as some state.
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Pat Patterson

Steven

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #13 on: February 04, 2014, 12:11:16 PM »
Quote from: ImBackInTheGame on February 04, 2014, 08:38:57 AM

The only "advantage" to the donkee is the 3/4 HP 2 Speed.  You can not get that from Innovative or Vertex at that price point.  A 2 speed innovative spinner is going to be over $500 IIRC.


I've had the 3/4 HP 2 Speed model for about 14 years. I use it a lot, and the thing just won't die.  :)


I've always felt the Donkee vibration thing has been overplayed. I have mine secured on a B&D workbench, and I've never had an issue with wobble while sanding. Balls I've refinished/refreshed dozens of times are still round. What a concept….


At low speed, the unit is fairly stable. There is no issue keeping consistent abrasive contact to the ball while it's spinning.


But what separates the Donkee (as stated above) is the high speed mode. It creates a speed that's simply superior for creating friction for cleaning, and burning in polish on tough surfaces. For these high speed purposes, I don't care that the ball sometimes wobbles a little. It's not going to hurt anything.


For me, the Donkee tradeoffs for the 2-speed make sense. I'll buy another Donkee when the one I have finally bites the dust.
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Jesse James

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Re: Donkee Ball Spinner
« Reply #14 on: February 04, 2014, 03:02:45 PM »
Quote from: Steven on February 04, 2014, 12:11:16 PM
Quote from: ImBackInTheGame on February 04, 2014, 08:38:57 AM

The only "advantage" to the donkee is the 3/4 HP 2 Speed.  You can not get that from Innovative or Vertex at that price point.  A 2 speed innovative spinner is going to be over $500 IIRC.

I've had the 3/4 HP 2 Speed model for about 14 years. I use it a lot, and the thing just won't die.  :)


I've always felt the Donkee vibration thing has been overplayed. I have mine secured on a B&D workbench, and I've never had an issue with wobble while sanding. Balls I've refinished/refreshed dozens of times are still round. What a concept….


At low speed, the unit is fairly stable. There is no issue keeping consistent abrasive contact to the ball while it's spinning.


But what separates the Donkee (as stated above) is the high speed mode. It creates a speed that's simply superior for creating friction for cleaning, and burning in polish on tough surfaces. For these high speed purposes, I don't care that the ball sometimes wobbles a little. It's not going to hurt anything.


For me, the Donkee tradeoffs for the 2-speed make sense. I'll buy another Donkee when the one I have finally bites the dust.

All of what these guys said above. I've used my buddy's two speed Donkee before and you can't beat that higher speed for polishing balls well. I have a one speed Donkee, but always wished I had opted for the two speed one. The weeble-wobble doesn't bother me at all. I've had mine for 8 years now, no problems.
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