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Hello all, Has anyone had any luck attaching a shop vac system to the scrap chute on a regular skiving machine? It seems like it could have enough suction to make a difference and limit scraps wrapping around the feed wheel. I'm thinking of rigging something up but wanted to see if anyone had any experience doing something similar. I figure the shop vac hose could connect to a reducer like in the pic below and then find some piece of ducting that could fit relatively snug with the chute below the table. Here's the machine I'm using.

Does anyone in Europe know where I can buy a large (40-55mm) roller foot for my bottom feed skiving machine? I have an Italian Atom. Perphaps someone has an extra they would sell me I would love to find a good used one. I know about Mando in France and Fratelli Alberti in Italy. I am still waiting to hear back from Atom in the UK. The original Italian one (855C) is much more money than I want to pay. Worse case I will order one from China and modify it... On a side note...has anyone used the teflon 50mm foot? How does it compare to a roller foot? Thanks! -Adam

Couldn't resist buying this 'boat anchor' for the price of a piece of leather. Made probably in the 50's in former East Germany - Textima was an old brand of machinery, related to CLAES brand, part of VEB Textima Co. LW users helping with this project directly or indirectly: - @Constabulary - who did most of the work: all the mechanical restoration. @RockyAussie and @Trox - very helpful tips along the way. Also @CampbellRandall (Dan) - very helpful videos regarding skiving. Thanks a lot!! The machine was badly rusted as you can see in the pictures (in the left is an original photo from the ad, before restoration). Couldn't find any documentation, didn't know if it's complete, if we can find parts for it, or if this thing will work again. But definitely looked very robust and seemed it was worth restoring. It is a bit different from other modern skivers: all the active parts (bell knife, feed wheel, sharpening wheel) are moving together with a ratio established by the gears (feed wheel moves slower). They all start/stop moving when the clutch is engaged/disengaged by the pedal. Machine is ALL gear driven (no belts inside) and the original clutch was on the outside. Found out: the old, heavy, wide-belt external clutch needed to be replaced with an external clutch motor. Only one part was missing: the feed wheel drive-rod (and a cover). We ordered the missing rod but realized it was too short, so Constabulary adjusted this by cutting, gluing and pinning on a tube (photo). Machine needed to be stripped to the last screw, every single bit was taking care of. That included: electrolysis bath to break some parts loose, de-rusting, hammering some parts out, heating them with a torch etc. Many components were all gummed up. Original paint was very thick, pretty difficult to remove. Following was the painting and partial assembly, greasing, shipping.

Hi there. Thanks to the folks who helped me with when I posted a couple of years ago about getting my machine up and running. Alas, I never put the time and resources in to it so I am selling. I am parting with my old Fortuna Skiving Machine. It runs, but would probably need someone who knew what they were doing to get it up and working properly. I had a sewing machine repair person come by and service it. At the time, he said it needed new belting. I bought leather belting for it but never bothered to get him to come back, because I wanted to find someone who serviced skiving machines in particular. Anyway, it does not have an aspirator, but it is in good condition from what I can tell and includes a couple of extra presser feet. I am not an expert on this machine as I only really used one when I was in school and there was a tech on hand in the labs in case anything went awry. I had aspirations of having it up and running and making all sorts of things, but alas they have remained aspirations. My loss is your gain! I got a few PM's on top of replies to my old post in regards to suggestions on pricing. I have landed on asking $750 obo AS IS, local pick up only (I'm in New York City) and payment cash, Venmo or PayPal ONLY. Here is the link to the folder with pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0ByX2cUowucQxWG1mbWd1dnZYSkE?usp=sharing. Please only serious buyers.

Hello! I just acquired an old skiver and noticed that the feed roller has a slight wobble as its rotating. I took it apart to find that the roller driving shaft seems to be a bit worn down (it's no longer circular). Could the reason be for the wobble? I've attached some pictures. Any advice would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks, Michelle

Hi Everyone, I was wondering if anyone would have some feedback for me in relation to my skiving machine. I am struggling to lear to use it and twice today as i skiff along the edge of work the machine has ripped the good side of the leather. What could be wrong here? All/ any help with this would be greatly appreciated. I looked it up online and can't find and info about skivers really at all. Thanks all !

Hello all, I need some advice. I bought a old Fortuna Skiving machine over a year ago which I haven't really used. I'm a newbie, who learned how to skive leather in school, but I never really learned maintenance of the machine, or repairs. When I bought it I asked around the fabric district in NYC for repairers who could service the machine. A gentleman that normally works on Sewing Machines came in and tried to service the machine for me. The machine can run, but is inconsistent in the thickness it shaves off and often "eats up" the leather. It was at the time missing one of the belts on the inside of the machine. I have postponed calling him again, as I would prefer someone who is more familiar with skiving machines to come back. I am wondering considering that I am a casual user/newbie anyone's thoughts on - 1) if they know of any good skiving machine servicers in the NYC area, and 2) perhaps it's better for me to try to sell the machine on eBay or this forum considering that I sew leather somewhat infrequently? I say this, because from what I read on these forums, part replacement on old Fortuna machines sound costly! I have attached a couple of photos of the machine. Thank you!

Hi all, Sorry if this is being posted in the wrong location, but wasn't too sure where to put it. I was wondering if anyone knows of anyone who would offer machine skiving, for small amounts of leather (which is why I can't justify buying a skiving machine myself at the moment) in the UK, West Sussex? Thank you!

I'm learning leather work and am interested to buy a skiving machine. I've looked at many online- Chinese, Italian, etc. What is the difference between bottom feed vs. top and bottom feed? I'm doing mostly bags and belts but want a machine that can grow with my skill set and interests. Does a heavy duty machine do lightweight to mid-weight material as well as a medium duty machine? Heavy duty machines seem to cost more. Do I pony up for a heavy duty machine so that I have that range in the future even though I don't need it now? What would you all buy? Is there a big difference between a Consew, Econosew or Cobra at $1,200 or thereabouts and a new Fortuna SM-50 or FAV AV2 for 4-5k? I'm interested to get a good machine and am willing to pay the price but wonder if it is necessary. What would you all buy?