Just bought an American leather splitter... Not working for me.

[bruce johnson]

1). The blade edge needs to be about 1/16” or so from the bottom roller when it is centered over the roller. Any more than that and the leather slides right under. 
2). if changing the along tension moves the bottom roller, it is not assembled correctly. there should be two jam nuts on the threaded studs and they should be up against the bottom of the frame. The springs allow for expansion and the roller to drop if you are taking off more than the 1/16” gap. Those nuts are what allows the gap and side-to-side leveling the bottom roller

3). there should be vertical tabs on the blocks and cover the bottom roller shaft goes through. The blade needs to be up against those stops to set the position. Then back off very slightly so the blade corners aren’t rubbing on them. That blade appears to either be short, the stops are gone, or something funky. The blade rest  on Americans is longer than a Landis and the blades don’t hang over as far, but ideally should hang over some. That is the purpose of the two screws on the back  is to keep the blade in position and not slide back with pressure. The bevel up or down on the blade?

4). Too much gap between the top and bottom roller to push thin leather. Dial in the bottom roller setting first. Then drop the top roller. There are two threaded slotted studs on the top with a jam nut. Loosen the nut, screw the studs down on each side and tighten the jam nut when you like the roller position.

try this first and let me know
 

[AWORKOFMARC]

Part of this is just not knowing what tabs on blocks are or jam nuts or stops... and not having a diagram that spells it out. I haven't found any manual. So. that said. Here's some pics

I've positioned the blade forward to meet those little square tab stops and then backed of just a hair so the blade is not touching.  The Jams (or what I think are jams) are not actually against the bottom of the frame as seen in the pics.

How do I bring the bottom roller up --proper?  By turning the square bolts? Or the jams?  I was able to make it move up and down using the square bolts -- so is that how I close the gap properly  to 1/16th inch between the blade and the roller by using those square bolts?

[AWORKOFMARC]

Here's from the back side -- using the square bolts to bring the bottom roller up. the leather still drops down and comes out the bottom --nothing thru the top. So I tighten the gap a wee bit more and then the leather won't even come through as if it's not being gripped enough by the bottom roller to push it through the bottom or top.... but then if I turn the square bolts and bring the roller up too far it seems to meet the blade and not allow the handle freedom to turn and I'm being baby gentle with this bc I don't want to damage the blade.

Edited January 21, 2024 by AWORKOFMARC

[AWORKOFMARC]

1 hour ago, DieselTech said:

Are you going to sell this now, if so I might have a home for it. Thats if you are in the U.S & shipping wont kill me. 

Thanks.

If it comes to that I'll let you know... also considering to ask him to allow a return if I can't figure it out here.

[DieselTech]

6 minutes ago, AWORKOFMARC said:

If it comes to that I'll let you know... also considering to ask him to allow a return if I can't figure it out here.

Keep me in mind. If you decide to send it back or send it down the road. 

Thanks. Hope you get it figured out & can use it.

[bruce johnson]

To adjust the bottom roller, here is how I do it. I loosen the jam nuts first (like yours already are). I tighten the square head bolts to push the roller up almost to the blade if not kissing it. Then I tighten the jam nuts up against the frame to pull the blade down and set the gap. Tighten the two jam nuts against each other to hold that position. Then a test and if I need more pressure I tighten the square heads to compress the springs more.

for thinner leather you will probably need to drop the top roller some also. 

 

[AWORKOFMARC]

So at least it splits leather... TY Bruce!

This is where I am -- it seems to split --kind of. I'm sure it comes down to now finessing the settings to get more even splits. the first attempt after making the adjustments was the best --the tan color longer split at the right side. The rest after that got mangled as you can see. I dunno if that's because they're pull up more oily or why..

 

Edited January 21, 2024 by AWORKOFMARC

[bruce johnson]

These splitters were designed for dense stiff shoe sole leather. They will do vegtan and stiffer latigo well. Much softer and the leather can wad up against the blade and not split evenly 

[AWORKOFMARC]

22 minutes ago, bruce johnson said:

These splitters were designed for dense stiff shoe sole leather. They will do vegtan and stiffer latigo well. Much softer and the leather can wad up against the blade and not split evenly 

 

What a very fine gentleman you are for walking me through this --all the while you did not feel good. Well... I hope my pain helped take your mind off your pain hahah.  Seriously.. I learned a ton here and I now know how they operate. 

It's good guys like you make these forums worth it for us retardo-noobs. If I had known the splitter was specifically made for the stiffer leathers it would have saved all of us. But. Here we are. I hope this thread lives on because your guidance has been incredibly generous and patient and there's a lot of good info for the next guy..

Feel better fast Sir! If there's anything I can do lmk.
Marc

Edited January 22, 2024 by AWORKOFMARC