New Skiving Machine

[Jacqui]

So I've never worked with leather before but have made bags for around four years with vinyl. 

My leather bundle has arrived today and my new skiving machine is due with me in two days.

It is a Krafft 801.  

Any tips etc on how to use it for a newbie.  Tips, tricks etc - stumbling blocks to try to avoid.

Thanks all

[AlZilla]

Let's try this over here in Leather Machinery, @Jacqui. It seems to be the place for skivers.

[toxo]

1 hour ago, Jacqui said:

So I've never worked with leather before but have made bags for around four years with vinyl. 

My leather bundle has arrived today and my new skiving machine is due with me in two days.

It is a Krafft 801.  

Any tips etc on how to use it for a newbie.  Tips, tricks etc - stumbling blocks to try to avoid.

Thanks all

Welcome Jacqui and congratulations on getting an 801 skiver. It's an amazing piece of kit but be prepared to waste a lot of scrap learning how to use it properly. It might be a strange thing to say but I enjoyed that learning process immensely. You'll learn about different types of feed roller/presser feet/what speed to use and how things change when switching to a different thickness of material. When you think you've got it right it might not work as good on a different TYPE of leather/vinyl so the most important piece of advice I can give you is ALWAYS ALWAYS get it perfect on scrap before putting hours of work through it. Good luck with it and send a message if you need help.

[Jacqui]

Toxo - thank you for the hints.  That sure makes a lot of sense and thanks for the offer of help too.  I have a feeling I may need it lol

 

[RockyAussie]

21 hours ago, Jacqui said:

So I've never worked with leather before but have made bags for around four years with vinyl. 

My leather bundle has arrived today and my new skiving machine is due with me in two days.

It is a Krafft 801.  

Any tips etc on how to use it for a newbie.  Tips, tricks etc - stumbling blocks to try to avoid.

Thanks all

The most important thing is having it set up right and very very sharp. This video I made should be of help - 

 

[FDC]

Well you don't mess around! I too bought an 801 skivver a couple of years ago and it has been challenging to get comfortable with. I would suggest the following to climb up the learning curve faster:

1. Go to YouTube and watch videos about adjusting and using an 801 skivver
2. Label all of the adjustments on your skivver so that you know exactly what they do! Indicate feed direction as well. I just used a fine Sharpie.
3. Make sure that your bell knife is sharp! Make sure that your bell knife is ALWAYS sharp!
4. Set up your machine with each new type of material that you're skivving, it's NOT a "set it and forget it" machine!
5. Using cheap ABS or PVC plumbing parts from a home center make your own vacuum system if your machine doesn't have one already. Dead simple, inexpensive aand prevents offcuts from messing up your skivving.

Be patient and expect some frustration as you get it figured out!