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We have a Cobra AK-20 strap cutter as well as a Weaver hand crank strap cutter in our shop. There are pros and cons with each. Cobra Cons: time consuming setup when changing strap width, you have to hold the switch in with your finger to activate leaving only one hand to guide the leather (I'm going to rig up a foot switch in the future) Pros: requires little effort to cut compared to hand crank, the Cobra has a lever to lower bottom roller allowing you to easily remove leather if you don't want to cut entire length (fringe cutting). Weaver Cons: Bottom roller adjustment is done with two screws, hand cranking is slower and requires more effort (the Weaver machine can be geared down when cutting heavy leathers)the unit is shipped with 1" spacers...additional spacers are at an extra cost while the cobra comes with a full set of spacers. Pros: easily controlled, easy to change blades and spacers, a quality machine made in the USA. Uses Randall blades. Overall, if I had to choose one machine, I would pick the Weaver.Don

I was mistaken in my previous post. The machine is a Ferdinand 590 not a Ferdco. I know Ferdinand Jean Blanc was involved in both companies. Does anyone have any experience or information with this machine? Thanks in advance

Is anyone familiar with a Ferdco 590 Baby Bull? I'm looking at one to possibly purchase. It's a flat bed machine with a walking foot and I'm told it will sew 1/2". It was made in the early 90's. I know that Ferdco is no longer in business but their website is still active. There is no reference to the 590 on their website. Does anyone have any knowledge of the machine?

I once made a handle device using 3 or 4 used hack saw blades sewn between layers of leather. It worked quite well. Don

I sew the heavier work with a Campbell needle and awl machine as well as a Cobra. I've never used bonded thread but have used a lot of nylon and polyester. I prefer the polyester. I've been purchasing it from Campbell Randall in Yokum, TX. www.campbell-randall.com/‎ Don

Hi Andy, I grew up on a ranch in South Dakota (my father raised horses and did a lot of rawhide braiding, saddle and leather repairs. Hence, I worked with leather since I was a child. During the ‘70’s, I supplemented my income doing leatherwork selling at craft shows. I continued to pursue the craft as a hobby during my work years. I’m now living in Alberta Canada. I retired in January 2012 and decided to do leather work full time. I’m presently selling at craft sales and on my website. As well, I’ve been doing a fair amount of wholesale. I have found that the retailers generally want to purchase at wholesale pricing. I’m not sure of how wholesale pricing works in California but here in Canada, the retailers expect to pay 50% of retail. I have developed a pricing formula (based on my years in business) that I use to set my retail pricing and also allows me to sell the products wholesale. I have set up a simple spreadsheet that calculates material costs in the project (including a waste factor for leather) and labor. I then put a 40% margin on the raw cost (Raw Cost being material plus labor). Example: If my material cost is $10.00 including waste and my labor is $7.50, my raw cost is $17.50. Divide by .6 to add the 40% margin equals $29.17. This would be my wholesale price (I may round up or down). My retail would be set around $58 to $60. This formula allows you to cover your overheads. Rest assured the overheads grow dramatically when you begin doing leatherwork on a full time basis. I prefer not to do consignment (if I do, I get 60% rather than 50%and have a contract that ensures I’m paid monthly for all items that are no longer in stock at the retailer.) I do not give terms on wholesale sales, I am paid before shipping and pricing is FOB my shop. Hope this helps, Don

Very nice!!

If the price is right for the Tippmann, it's a good starting point but as TwinOaks stated it's a manual machine and a lot of work if you do any amount of stitching. I use a Campbell and a Cobra 4 (441 clone) The Cobra is a joy to use...very easy to stitch with the servo motor. I've sewn as light as 3 ounce up to 3/4" with the Cobra...an amazing machine. A Cowboy, TechSew or Cobra would be a perfect machine for you. They will run about $2200 plus freight. I see you're from Manitoba, so freight from the States is an issue. I'm near Calgary and we arranged to pick the Cobra up from Steve at the Sheridan Wyoming leather show last year.

I have a Landis 6 inch hand crank splitter and a Randall 18" Model N splitter. Both are blade type. The Randall was motorized but I converted it to a hand crank. I found that with the motor it ruined too much leather as it would grab the leather if there was any stretch. They both work well on heavy veg tanned or latigos. As Andrew stated they will only split down to 1-1/2 or 2 ounce. They allow you to split down heavy scraps to use for a lot of projects like wallets. I've seen demos for both the Cobra and the Artisan. They are both motorized and I believe the motors are reversible. Both seem to work very well. The Cobra is based on the 6" Landis and is 14" wide. I know its available with a motor or hand cranked. I believe it's around $2000. The Landis is a great solid splitter. I think that's what I would look for if I was looking for my first splitter. They come up on eBay from time to time. There was one a few weeks ago that went for around $800. Weaver has an 8" hand cranked that is based on the Landis. It goes for just under $2000. A nice machine. Eventually, I would like to find a good band knife splitter...but $$$$.

I'd like access as well. Thanks

I believe they are the feed rollers from a Randall NSB edge beveling machine.