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I have dug through old posts concerning bell skivers. The information is quite helpful, but with so many brands, I would like your expert opinions. As there is not a dealer within 800 miles, I will have to have it shipped. Which also makes phone/internet support very important. For that reason alone, I have removed overseas brands/shipping from my list. I also started with dealers which are on this site or were recommended in other posts, thinking they will be more leather oriented than perhaps other sewing machine dealers. Here is a list with basic info I found. Any and all details you have including, prices/value, shipping, support, setup, additions, deletions, accessories and dealers is greatly appreciated. As to use, it will be mostly chrome tanned or light (less than 6 oz) veg tanned leathers. It won't be running all day long, just occasionally. From what I gather, they are all similar (perhaps the FAV may be a different class), but you may know more. Have I missed something that should really be considered? https://store.keysew.com/catalog/product/b12c0c9db24c4a26b7d9513b9e58b80c Consew DCS 53 $1345 free shipping https://goldstartool.com/consew-dcs-s4-skiving-machine-w-table-and-servo-motor.html Consew DCS S4 $1149 ~$1 shipping https://www.leathermachineco.com/product/cobra-np-4-skiving-machine/ Cobra NP4 $1400 ~$300 shipping https://www.springfieldleather.com/Bell-Knife-Skiver Cobra NP4 $1400 ?? shipping (waiting on quote) http://www.techsew.com/machinery/cutting-skiving-machines/techsew-sk-4-leather-skiving-machine.html Techsew SK-4 $1295 ~$300 shipping http://industrialsewingmachineman.com/machines/mach.asp?dir=leathercutting&brand=Techsew&Model=SK-4+Leather+Skiving&ProductType=Leather+cutting++Machines Techsew SK-4 $1249 ~$7 shipping http://artisansew.com/leathercuttingmachinesandclickers.html Artisan NP-4 H NS $1350 ?? shipping https://campbell-randall.com/product/models-fav-av1-av2 FAV AV2TE $3900 (or maybe it was $2900 must double check) ~$500 shipping Either way double or better in cost, is it double the quality? http://www.solar-leather.com/cb801-bottom-feed-bell-knife-skiver Cowboy CB-801 $1295 [This one then turned odd. Sent request for shipping amount. This was part of reply: "The CB-801 will not skive chrome tan or vegtan leather, unfortunately. It is for finer leather like upholstery grade. At this time we do no carry a motorized skiver that will skive these leathers..." Made me go huh? Did check out Toledo Sewing, but didn't see a skiver on the site. Bob had helped me in the past and wanted to return the favor. Need to call? I know this isn't exhaustive, but it is exhausting. Spending money is nerve wracking. Thanks for your time. Kat

What bell slivers work best? Which ones do I need to stay away from? Is it a good idea to buy used? Or spend the extra for newer?

The feed roller on my Consew Bell Skiver literally broke. For some reason, the leather got bunched up between the roller and the knife and the roller shattered. I have a replacement roller but I need some help with the steps involved in replacing it. With the roller in place on the shaft and in the bracket, I can’t seem to get the shaft positioned between it and the drive shaft joint. Are there some parts that need to be removed to facilitate replacing the roller? The manual isn’t much help in this. Thanks

Not sure if this question should go in the machinery section or technique. If I cut a 1 foot square of 2mm leather and skive a half inch along one side it will come out as I intended. Then if I turn the leather to skive the opposite side with the exact same settings the second side may barely skive at all. does this have something to do with the grain of the leather? If so, how do I correct this without readjusting the skiving depth for each side? Thanks

I have a Consew bell skiver. Its fairly new (6 months) and I think I have it set up correctly. The problem I have is with the ball that feeds the material. Often, especially with relatively thin goat, the waste material sticks to the ball. So then that waste material comes around and under the material thats about to go through and causes irregular skived thickness. Sometimes even tearing the material. Is there anything I can do about this? Chuck

Hi All, Wondering if anyone knows if parts for a Nippy NP-1(?) bell knife skiver are available in Australia anywhere? I have a mostly complete unit rescued from the tip as a TAFE college shut down. The skiver is missing a small drive shaft that turns the stone inside the bell knife. It's a shame not to be able to use it just because of one little part....... Last I looked the Nippy site in Japan was pretty hard to navigate or understand, hence asking for someone that speaks Aussie(or even tolerable english) and hopefully can tell their billabongs and bunyips apart. Thanks!