DieselTech Report post Posted September 11 Guys & gals I would like to buy a strap cutting machine. Just curious if any of you have seen or used the TandyPro manual strap cutter. I'm curious if I can get by with it for a few years. Or is it junk? Is there a better china/import brand option out there? Thanks. Any & all help will be greatly appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted September 18 Well I just said "F" it & bought 1 of these strap cutters. I will let you know what I think of it in a few days if I get around to it. Lmao I got a Cobra 26 to assemble too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ingenero Report post Posted September 20 I'll be interested to hear your experience...I'm unlikely to buy one any time soon, but am curious how well it works. I did initially look for cheaper Chinese options, but didn't see anything comparable - they were all far more manual. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted September 20 5 hours ago, Ingenero said: I'll be interested to hear your experience...I'm unlikely to buy one any time soon, but am curious how well it works. I did initially look for cheaper Chinese options, but didn't see anything comparable - they were all far more manual. As soon as I get around to installing the cutters blades. I will report back with my thoughts. I did watch this guy cut saddle skirting with it & I know it wasn't designed for that. But it did cut the 14-16oz leather saddle skirting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
THein Report post Posted October 4 (edited) Sorry I didn't have the opportunity to respond to the first post but likely it's a good machine. I bought a strap cutter from Weaver's years back and resembles yours a lot. I'm more than happy with it. Takes some getting used to if you want to split directly from a side. Best bet is to hand cut a wee bit more than you need from the side and then run it through. A little waste but you've no "wonky" straps! Edited October 4 by THein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted October 5 2 hours ago, THein said: Sorry I didn't have the opportunity to respond to the first post but likely it's a good machine. I bought a strap cutter from Weaver's years back and resembles yours a lot. I'm more than happy with it. Takes some getting used to if you want to split directly from a side. Best bet is to hand cut a wee bit more than you need from the side and then run it through. A little waste but you've no "wonky" straps! Thanks. Yeah I was going to hand cut a 10-12" wide strip out of the side of leather. Then run it thru the strap cutter for whatever given width I need. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted October 5 On 9/21/2024 at 9:04 AM, DieselTech said: As soon as I get around to installing the cutters blades. I will report back with my thoughts. I did watch this guy cut saddle skirting with it & I know it wasn't designed for that. But it did cut the 14-16oz leather saddle skirting. I would just check that the gears are not plastic ones as I have seen some models have them and do not last long cutting thicker than recommended. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted October 5 (edited) 26 minutes ago, DieselTech said: Thanks. Yeah I was going to hand cut a 10-12" wide strip out of the side of leather. Then run it thru the strap cutter for whatever given width I need. This video I did a little while ago could help you on this - https://youtu.be/Q3cVOtCNjEg?si=xrCJA5Rep8YEl89Y Edited October 5 by RockyAussie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted October 5 37 minutes ago, RockyAussie said: This video I did a little while ago could help you on this - https://youtu.be/Q3cVOtCNjEg?si=xrCJA5Rep8YEl89Y Thanks. I appreciate it. I watched that video here recently. Then went to a metal fab shop & purchased a 8ft section of 1½" stainless steel flat strap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted October 11 Ok guys & gals, I finally got around to testing the TandyPro manual rotary strap cutter. It is definitely a keeper. This cutter is nice. If you set it up, according to the manual. Here is some 10-12oz Hermann oak latigo. Cut it like butter. Awesome!!! Decided to really test the machine out. This is 14-16oz Hermann oak saddle skirting. Cut it like butter! Awesome machine for the money. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted October 12 12 hours ago, DieselTech said: Awesome machine for the money. Looks like it does a nice job. All you need to do now is change the hand crank to a pulley and strap a servo motor on. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted October 12 1 hour ago, kgg said: Looks like it does a nice job. All you need to do now is change the hand crank to a pulley and strap a servo motor on. kgg I have thought about doing that. A speed reducer & a 750watt brushless servo motor. My only real gripe is, I think they should have included more material fingers that holds & separates the leather from the rollers/cutters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted October 12 1 hour ago, DieselTech said: My only real gripe is, I think they should have included more material fingers that holds & separates the leather from the rollers/cutters. Maybe consider get some extras or having a couple 3D printed. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted October 12 I'm following this conversation. Definitely interested. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted October 12 Only thing that would be hard to source is a v-belt pulley with a square drive. That is if a did decide to try & motorized it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted October 17 On 10/12/2024 at 9:48 PM, DieselTech said: My only real gripe is, I think they should have included more material fingers that holds & separates the leather from the rollers/cutters. That part of the setup is a bit silly really. If the fingers were made out of something heavier (3mm or 1/8") and with a longer back section they would not need to be spaced and locked in place. The weigh at the back would let the front part ride against the cutter shaft. I have an old machine like that and to change position I just lift the finger forward and move it sideways to where I want it. 5 seconds to change each finger. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted October 17 28 minutes ago, RockyAussie said: That part of the setup is a bit silly really. If the fingers were made out of something heavier (3mm or 1/8") and with a longer back section they would not need to be spaced and locked in place. The weigh at the back would let the front part ride against the cutter shaft. I have an old machine like that and to change position I just lift the finger forward and move it sideways to where I want it. 5 seconds to change each finger. Yes that is the only big gripe with this machine. The stupid finger set up they used. It's a PITA. But I'm happy with it. It sure beats cutting straps by hand & a knife. I already got plans to modify/fabricate a new finger setup. Using heavier material for the fingers & either lock collars or round turn buckle clamps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted November 26 Update: The more I use this strap cutter, the more I like it. It does a real nice job! Here is some 5oz pebbled veg-tan that I cut, 3-1½" wide straps & 1-1" wide strap. Cut it like butter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbie Report post Posted November 26 Did you happen to notice if the gears are metal or plastic? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted November 26 3 hours ago, Herbie said: Did you happen to notice if the gears are metal or plastic? The gears are made of metal, & it's got sealed roller bearings on all the shafts. It seems to be a decent machine for the money. I'm pretty happy with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbie Report post Posted November 26 6 hours ago, DieselTech said: The gears are made of metal, & it's got sealed roller bearings on all the shafts. It seems to be a decent machine for the money. I'm pretty happy with it. Thanks for the good info! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites