Problem using a TandyPro Deluxe Leather Splitter

[Coloradoguy]

I posted a similar question back on May 18 in this forum and got some good tips, but I'm still having trouble.  I purchased the TandyPro Deluxe Leather Splitter a few months ago.  My problem is, when I pull belt straps through to skive 7" at the buckle end, I am not getting a flat cut.  It is cutting too deep in the middle of the blank, see photos.  The light area on the end of my blank in the photo is cut too deep, I cut a cross section of the waste piece and am holding it in my hand in the photo, you can see how bad it is cutting.  These are the steps I am taking to do my split/skive:

First, I sharpened the blade a LOT from how it came in the box, and kept the edge very flat.

I set the roller at the depth I want at both ends and tighten the two lock nuts

I start my cut while pressing back on the lever, cutting slowly for about 1/4" to 1/2" until the blade gets to depth

I stop and tighten down the roller with the large nob

Then I use a short piece of 2x4 to hold down the bar and the blank behind the roller, so the blank follows the curve of the roller from behind and slightly below

Then I pull the blank through slowly.  

And it screws up the cut.

What am I doing wrong?  Previously, and before I started holding down the bar and belt with a piece of 2x4, I'd split through the blank entirely and ruin belts.

I'd appreciate any tips or comments to correct this problem, thx!

[fredk]

I think your 2 x 4 is giving too much localised pressure. Giving it more pressure to cut deeper in the centre than the edges

Can you try a wider lever bar?

[TomE]

My older Tandy Pro splitter doesn't have the additional depth locking screws on both ends of the roller. It seems that the strap is getting pinched on either edge and drawn up towards the blade in the middle.  I don't have an idea why that would happen.

Does this occur when using different parts of the blade?  Have you tested different leathers of varying thickness/temper?  Is the roller centered on the edge of the blade?

Also, I don't understand the need for the 2x4 clamping the strap.  When I split straps I don't have any pressure on the strap entering the splitter.  I am careful to pull the strap through at a consistent angle, slightly lower than horizontal.

Edited 11 hours ago by TomE

[DieselTech]

I think your blade is not quite sharp enough. Plus if the blade is dull & you are taking a big bite/cut you are actually stretching the belt some & resulting thinner/thicker cuts on the sides of the belt.