Orbital Shaker

I scavenged an orbital shaker from work. I already have a magnetic stirrer, but it seemed like a neat piece of equipment. Would it be useful for making starters? When I turn it on at higher RPM there seems to be some clicking, maybe there was a reason it was being tossed, though maybe higher RPM aren't necessary.

 

It sounds like the belt or axle is pretty worn. I use them in a lab setting for larger batch propagation. I find them better then magnetic stir plates as keeping a steady RPM can be more beneficial for some strains. Not that stir plates don't have their place. Around 80 RPM should work for most strains.

 

I got to playing with it a little more, if it has something on it, it only clangs against the side once and a while, maybe a guide is worn.

80rpm-100rpm seems like about the max I would be comfortable leaving unattended, might have to rig a clamp.