TandyPro Strap Cutter modifications

[DieselTech]

Guys & gals I bought the TandyPro strap cutter machine. 

It is a nice machine, cuts 14-16oz saddle skirting like butter. 

But what sucks a big fat egg is the cutter blade separating plates. They used a 140 washers to separate them & to hold them in place when the jam nut is tightened. 

Needless to say it is stupid. So decided to do some mods. I was going make the separation plates out of stainless or aluminum bar stock. 

But changed my mind, & decided to use UHMW bar stock. I think this will be sufficient. 

Started with 3/4" x 3/8" milled UHMW bar stock & cut 8 4" long pieces. Then traced the separation plate tapered end profile on the 4" long uhmw bars I cut. Then I drilled a 10mm hole at 2¼" so they would be top or bottom heavy depending on how you install them. 

I want the heavy end at the top so the cutter separation plates/bars always swing towards the cutter blades/bar. 

I will have a few more pics tomorrow on the final product/modifications. 

Here a couple pics of what I'm doing.

[DieselTech]

Next I want to dish out the cutter fingers so they pass by the cutter blades. 

Also going to put a 1/8" slot in them so you can put the cutter finger over the blade for cutting/making lace. 

I added a couple more pics. To kinda help show what I'm shooting for. 

Edited November 3 by DieselTech

[DieselTech]

@RockyAussie do you think this will be OK. I kinda took your advice on making the fingers longer. 

I did not see or think they needed to be made out of stainless steel or aluminum. 

What's your thoughts? Lmao did I waste my time & material? 

Thanks. 

[RockyAussie]

12 hours ago, DieselTech said:

@RockyAussie do you think this will be OK. I kinda took your advice on making the fingers longer. 

I did not see or think they needed to be made out of stainless steel or aluminum. 

What's your thoughts? Lmao did I waste my time & material? 

Thanks. 

No not a waste of time at all. You are definitely on the right track doing as you have. Done right you will not need any washers or spacers at all. You will need to make sure you DO NOT have any of the finger low enough to catch on the leather. Cut the groove for the blade up fairly high to enable easy lifting and moving across when changing size widths. I will load a couple of pics of one of my old ones which should help to confirm you are on the right track asap.

[RockyAussie]

Although these pics look different they work the same in that they go either side of the blade and held down by the weight.  - Note that some fingers sitting in the middle on the wide gaps may be better than putting in foam rubber spacers as I did in this case.

[DieselTech]

26 minutes ago, RockyAussie said:

No not a waste of time at all. You are definitely on the right track doing as you have. Done right you will not need and washers or spacers at all. You will need to make sure you DO NOT have any of the finger low enough to catch on the leather. Cut the groove for the blade up fairly high to enable easy lifting and moving across when changing size widths. I will load a couple of pics of one of my old ones which should help to confirm you are on the right track asap.

 

17 minutes ago, RockyAussie said:

Although these pics look different they work the same in that they go either side of the blade and held down by the weight.  - Note that some fingers sitting in the middle on the wide gaps may be better than putting in foam rubber spacers as I did in this case.

Thanks for the pictures & the vote of confidence. 

I much appreciate it. Thanks. 

Lmao I think there must be $25-$30 worth of washers they used. 

I take it you got more than 1 strap cutter. I think I seen some pics of 1 you might have restored. 

Edited November 4 by DieselTech

[DieselTech]

Well got the fingers dished out. Now I need to slot them. 

Not sure if I should use my router with a mortise jig. Or drag out the table saw to cut my slots. 

[RockyAussie]

1 hour ago, RockyAussie said:

You will need to make sure you DO NOT have any of the finger low enough to catch on the leather.

I think you may still have too much hanging down into the area where it will get caught. The other thing I am not sure about is whether the plastic will have enough back weight to stay down firmly. Only testing will show this I guess but be ready for the leather to get caught right at the start. (Its a bitch if it does) Also extra sharp knives help to avoid it but do not always do such a nice cut as semi sharp knives.

[DieselTech]

38 minutes ago, RockyAussie said:

I think you may still have too much hanging down into the area where it will get caught. The other thing I am not sure about is whether the plastic will have enough back weight to stay down firmly. Only testing will show this I guess but be ready for the leather to get caught right at the start. (Its a bitch if it does) Also extra sharp knives help to avoid it but do not always do such a nice cut as semi sharp knives.

@RockyAussie I'm hoping these pics show a bit better at what I'm going for. 

I made the fingers extra long in the back so they always hold themselves against the cutter bar shaft. 

I am still going to mill/cut a 1/8" slot in the finger so it will then straddle each side of the blade, that way I can cut/make lace. 

Heck maybe the way I'm doing it won't work? Idk till I try some cutting I guess. 

Edited November 4 by DieselTech

[DieselTech]

Ok I got the final profile on my fingers. I also cut a slot in them so they can straddle the cutter blade. 

I am going to try & cut some 1/8" lace for a practice/testing round. 

I have cut 3/8" lace & it worked good. 

This finger modification is the ticket for this machine. 

Edited November 4 by DieselTech

[DieselTech]

1/8" lace testing successful! Works good. 

Not that I need 1/8" lace all the time. But at least now I can make it if needed.

Few pics of the success.

[Brokenolmarine]

Congrats... I don't have the machine, but love to watch a mind at work.  I sometimes do the same.  I think, "You know, this is nice, but if you did this, it would be a lot better."

 In the past, the wife and I both have shared our successful ideas on line,, then with the original manufacturer.  On several occasions, the various manufactures have sought more info and/or incorporated the ideas / upgrades.

[TomE]

That is an impressive modification.  Could make high quality latigo saddle strings with that rig and a beveler.