Skiving machine help!

[DieselTech]

Guys & gals I'm wondering if I should buy a skiving machine. I make lots of belts, & wallets, & want to get into making bags at some point. 

I'm looking at this consew dcs-S4 skiving machine. What is some of my benefits to having this machine?

Where is a machine like this most helpful & what can be done with it?  What can I all do with it?

Will this machine be ok? Or are there other/better options out there? 

Thanks any & all help will be appreciated.

 

[DieselTech]

Looking on the web, it looks like I will need a top & bottom feed skiver to use it with veg-tan leather. Is this correct? 

[TomE]

2 hours ago, DieselTech said:

Looking on the web, it looks like I will need a top & bottom feed skiver to use it with veg-tan leather. Is this correct? 

Incorrect. A bottom feed skiver can thin veg tan up to about 4-5 oz depending on skill and other specifics. I modified mine to skive the edges of 9-10oz bridle leather straps  down to ~3 oz in a single pass. I posted a summary in the leather machine forum.  I like my bottom feed machine because it’s just right for soft, thin leather but it can do heavier jobs with a bit of reconfiguring. Lots of feet and other parts available for the bottom feed machines, and there’s probably more demand for resale. 

[DieselTech]

58 minutes ago, TomE said:

Incorrect. A bottom feed skiver can thin veg tan up to about 4-5 oz depending on skill and other specifics. I modified mine to skive the edges of 9-10oz bridle leather straps  down to ~3 oz in a single pass. I posted a summary in the leather machine forum.  I like my bottom feed machine because it’s just right for soft, thin leather but it can do heavier jobs with a bit of reconfiguring. Lots of feet and other parts available for the bottom feed machines, and there’s probably more demand for resale. 

Thanks @TomE I appreciate the info. I'm wondering if it's something I should try & budget into my spending. 

Then trying to figure on how much it will get used & what all projects I might need it for & will make easier.

 

[TomE]

My advice would be to focus on one or two projects using hand tools, develop the required skills,  then buy machines as you decide what you enjoy making and have a specific use for a machine. For me it was a lot of hand sewing and learning to cut out shapes and cut straps then how to split and skive leather.  I did a lot of hand skiving before I bought a used bell skiver. It is a luxury that I probably didn’t need but it helps me refine some aspects of my projects. For me, a good set of hand tools, a stitching horse, and a sewing machine are the main show. Someday I might resume carving and stamping but I wasn’t very good at it when I boxed up those tools as a teenager, so it would take a while to develop some proficiency. For now, I am happy cutting and sewing. 

[RockyAussie]

9 hours ago, DieselTech said:

Guys & gals I'm wondering if I should buy a skiving machine. I make lots of belts, & wallets, & want to get into making bags at some point. 

If you want to do any serious sort of production making leather goods you need 3 main tools. The right type sewing machine for your work. The right sort of clicker press and a bottom feed skiving machine. If you have a look at my web page at the wide variety of products shown there I can say that more than 90% of the products use these 3 machines. A look through my YouTube channel will show some videos of us using these machines. Wild Harry YT

[DieselTech]

4 hours ago, TomE said:

My advice would be to focus on one or two projects using hand tools, develop the required skills,  then buy machines as you decide what you enjoy making and have a specific use for a machine. For me it was a lot of hand sewing and learning to cut out shapes and cut straps then how to split and skive leather.  I did a lot of hand skiving before I bought a used bell skiver. It is a luxury that I probably didn’t need but it helps me refine some aspects of my projects. For me, a good set of hand tools, a stitching horse, and a sewing machine are the main show. Someday I might resume carving and stamping but I wasn’t very good at it when I boxed up those tools as a teenager, so it would take a while to develop some proficiency. For now, I am happy cutting and sewing. 

Yeah I decided as of now I really dont need a bell skiver yet. Like you said I need to focus on the basics. 

I am fairly decent at stamping, but figure carving I'm not soo good at. Lol I need lots more practice. 

Thanks. Appreciate the help.

[DieselTech]

9 minutes ago, RockyAussie said:

If you want to do any serious sort of production making leather goods you need 3 main tools. The right type sewing machine for your work. The right sort of clicker press and a bottom feed skiving machine. If you have a look at my web page at the wide variety of products shown there I can say that more than 90% of the products use these 3 machines. A look through my YouTube channel will show some videos of us using these machines. Wild Harry YT

Yeah I am slowly acquiring my machines. I got a cobra class 4 coming in march. 

I was thinking maybe I should start saving for a skiving machine. 

Thanks for the info & the link. I will go check it out. 

[Garyak]

11 hours ago, DieselTech said:

Guys & gals I'm wondering if I should buy a skiving machine. I make lots of belts, & wallets, & want to get into making bags at some point. 

I'm looking at this consew dcs-S4 skiving machine. What is some of my benefits to having this machine?

Where is a machine like this most helpful & what can be done with it?  What can I all do with it?

Will this machine be ok? Or are there other/better options out there? 

Thanks any & all help will be appreciated.

 

I skived by hand, with the 5$ skiver I bought in 94 till 2 years ago. I bought the techsew. Definitely waited 30 years too long. 

[toxo]

Search for an 801 bell skiving machine. That's what most of em are. Preferably one with a vacuum. Most don't have a vacuum but you can rig one up yourself. People will say you don't need one and that's true but once you're used to a machine skiving is much easier and a hell of a lot faster. Lotsa vids on YT.

Even if you don't need one now you can keep an eye out. I waited quite a time then found one in a warehouse type place advertised for £600 with vacuum. When I got there it didn't work properly but I'd done my homework and I knew what was wrong with it and knew it wouldn't take much to make it right so I haggled and got it for £300.

Edited January 2, 2024 by toxo
More info.