Tips for using the Australian lace strander?

[AEBL]

I got the Australian lace strander. I have a piece of soft leather that is sort of like work-glove weight, about 2 oz or so (1.6mm with calipers). I didn't cut it into a circle for starters, I cut it into somewhat of a pear shape. I'm having a lot of trouble getting consistent width (I'm aiming for 1/8 inch or for everyone else in the world, like 3 mm).
Does anyone have any tips for using this tool? I'm sure there is a bit of learning to get it working well. I also have a new razor blade in it.

Cheers

[Tastech]

Cutting soft or chrome tan leathers will always be troublesome . The tool was specifically designed to cut veg tanned kangaroo leather of a thickness of .8 mm to 1.2 mm. It is the relative stiffness of veg tan that makes cutting lace easy with the tool and the added fiber structure of kangaroo leather make cutting a breeze. Perhaps with a little practice and finesse you might be able to get good results with soft leather but i would not be hopeful.   

[AEBL]

@Tastech, it does make sense now that it would be more useful for stiffer thin leathers. The soft leather either goes over the blade or bunches in the throat. I'm able to make longer pieces, but not prettier pieces (they all vary in width).

I'm probably going to abandon the soft leather and try a 2oz veg tan cowhide. The soft leather had been ruined with some sprinkles of dark stain and I was trying to put it to some good use.

[bruce johnson]

A few things that will help with softer leather. Your comment that the leather is bunching in the throat tells me you are pulling the cutter and not the leather. Tension and pull the tag end of the leather through, don't pull the cutter into the leather. Doesn't matter if it is a draw gauge, plough gauge, wooden cutter, or Aussie strander - the cut piece should be tensioned for best results on all but really firm leather. Second thing is to rotate the brass cylinder around to allow just the thickness of the leather to pass. Too much gap and it can ride up and down more with uneven cuts. Final thing is to cut wider than you want on the first pass. Then stretch your lace to straighten it some and go back to cut your final width. One some really floppy or spongy leathers I have applied a layer of masking tape to the back of the original piece to give it some body. Then peel off when you are done cutting.