Members NeilMott Posted April 13, 2022 Members Report Posted April 13, 2022 Hey everyone. I'm a small time leather worker, mainly making watch straps. I came upon this splitter on a video and found it on eBay. Picture: https://www.ebay.com/itm/185262187198?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item2b227ca2be:g:3I0AAOSwcXFgvdsM&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAAA4EZQjfF0vLV1YfxSqMDSB9HGe6IAOwnmwnJADY0BiOenxz0eVwJZMkKoK%2BcC8DN83S%2B72zDJvv9g2%2B5Dsmu2MCT8yiALLbeLNo4tQBDR8ivA4pKCVeKmIeLeJPfnyl2Nznrw16htA0tX6R1fOwWsz%2FDbnLqdJ%2Bp4scKZNFIaBcFgt1j3N%2BtyCOyfGqhZPg9V4PkwcXr7d0Dopsb9Dx8PKQ8RZewlyhn5KI%2BlKhCbCcRxXDd0ThrUH0LWfoWZqAnzxw4PBy3%2FqZON%2BjGB%2FJ8u64lJ1o47fyDWek%2BthkPdzgsw|tkp%3ABFBMgqSXvYRg I like that it will hold the leather via the springs and that the blade is replaceable. I know, I know.. I'm just not great at sharpening blades. Anyone have experience with this, or similar? My only wish, would be that adjusting the thickness was done with one set screw, so that it'd ensure that the thickness was uniform. Thanks, Neil Quote
Contributing Member fredk Posted April 13, 2022 Contributing Member Report Posted April 13, 2022 (edited) Looks the biz. Just make sure the replacement blades can be obtained. I have a hand-held strap skiver which takes replaceable blades but the blades are near impossible to buy now and if found cost a lot of ££ each Edited April 13, 2022 by fredk Quote Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
Members NeilMott Posted April 13, 2022 Author Members Report Posted April 13, 2022 (edited) Great call on the blades, Fred. I'm double checking with the seller, but the youtube video on it mentioned Olfa blades. In the comments, they mention the black blades last a lot longer. I think they're talking about these (EDIT: another listing said 18mm blades): https://smile.amazon.com/OLFA-9069-UltraSharp-Snap-Off-Heavy-Duty/dp/B000LE3V74/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2GRMTQA7SWUHC&keywords=olfa+blades+18mm&qid=1649871457&sprefix=olfa+blades%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-6 Best, Neil Edited April 13, 2022 by NeilMott Quote
MtlBiker Posted April 13, 2022 Report Posted April 13, 2022 1 hour ago, NeilMott said: Great call on the blades, Fred. I'm double checking with the seller, but the youtube video on it mentioned Olfa blades. In the comments, they mention the black blades last a lot longer. I think they're talking about these (EDIT: another listing said 18mm blades): https://smile.amazon.com/OLFA-9069-UltraSharp-Snap-Off-Heavy-Duty/dp/B000LE3V74/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2GRMTQA7SWUHC&keywords=olfa+blades+18mm&qid=1649871457&sprefix=olfa+blades%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-6 Best, Neil Neil, I would be VERY surprised if that device uses those Olfa blades. Those are the 18mm utility knife blades that snap off in sections. We are very familiar with those blades and use them all the time in our (non-leather related) workshop. You mention seeing something about the blades on a YouTube video... I didn't see any mention of a video on the eBay product page. Like @fredk suggested, be very sure that replacement blades are easily available and at a reasonable cost. Quote Current machines: Janome HD3000 and Skyline S5, Consew 206RB-5, Singer Profinish serger, Techsew 2750 PRO, Sailrite LSZ-1 Premium, Consew DCS-S4 Skiver
Members NeilMott Posted April 13, 2022 Author Members Report Posted April 13, 2022 I watched the video again and the guy references 18mm Olfa blades. The only 18mm Olfa blades or any blades that come up on a search are the snap-off kind. I wouldn't see why those wouldn't work. Here's the video: Quote
MtlBiker Posted April 13, 2022 Report Posted April 13, 2022 @NeilMott - I stand corrected! Those ARE the Olfa blades that I was sure wouldn't work. But I guess they do in fact work. I would have expected them not to split the leather evenly (due to the snap off grooves) and that it might be hard to hold the blade in the correct position. But I just looked at that video and you're right. I does seem to work. Go for it! (Is that the same as the one in your eBay link? You're sure that one and the one in the video would take the same blades?) Quote Current machines: Janome HD3000 and Skyline S5, Consew 206RB-5, Singer Profinish serger, Techsew 2750 PRO, Sailrite LSZ-1 Premium, Consew DCS-S4 Skiver
Contributing Member fredk Posted April 13, 2022 Contributing Member Report Posted April 13, 2022 Wot he says; I can buy 18mm s/o blades £1 per 10 - too cheap to sharpen, just replace 18mm s/o are a standard size Quote Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
Members NeilMott Posted April 13, 2022 Author Members Report Posted April 13, 2022 I was about to buy one from Zonepack and then I found the same thing on eBay. It seems to be the same in every way. Thanks for all the info/thoughts/advice! I've been spending a lot on supplies this year and this is one more thing... But at ~ $60 it's kinda of a no-brainer. I'll update with how I like it. Best, Neil Quote
Members NeilMott Posted April 18, 2022 Author Members Report Posted April 18, 2022 I got the splitter yesterday. It was $65 shipped with tax. Arrived very quickly. The bolts on the bottom, holding the mechanism to the base were pretty loose, but it's solid once those were tightened. I'm currently holding it to my work bench with clamps as I'm not sure if I have the space for a permanent location. I used it to thin some chrome tanned leather. The leather stretched but that's because it's chrome tanned. It cut cleanly and was easy to adjust. The springs are very strong and held in place very well. It came with a few blades, but I'll be getting some of the Olfa black blades for it soon. Neil Quote
Contributing Member fredk Posted April 18, 2022 Contributing Member Report Posted April 18, 2022 If it can do thin chrome tan veg tan will be a doddle Quote Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
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