Lorrso Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Hello to all, I'm a 31 y/o guy from Italy, pretty new to leatherwork: started with saddlery repairs and now want to try to do something from scratch (headcollars, bridles, etc). I joined a few months ago, but this is my first post. Recently I've bought my first leather splitter, the cheap "Hi-tech" one sold by Tandy. I have serious troubles using it, I'm not able to obtain an even strip of leather: sometimes it cuts too much, sometimes it doesn't cut at all... I'll post some pictures as soon as I can. Am I the only one experiencing that problem? Can you recommend me a better splitter, or teach me how to better use mine? Thanks, Lorenzo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I had the same problem at first. Sharpen the blade well and strop. Make sure that the leather that you pull is bent downwards- otherwise it tends to cut the leather on half. most importantly, make sure that the roller is directly or close to directly UNDER the blade and not out in front of it. pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lorrso Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Pete, thank you for your reply: I'll follow your suggestions. The blade is already razor sharp, I'll try to keep the roller under the blade and bend the strip while pulling. Have you ever tried other models? Is it a common problem among splitting machines? Here are the pictures... as you can see, it "bites" the leather strip giving an uneven result. L. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted February 9, 2009 could very well be the quality of leather. I have had some hurry up orders before and have ordered pre cut blanks from Tandy. They had some soft, weak, or "mushy spots" in them and the splitter either wanted to skip over them or gouge them out entirely. Try a better leather- preferably a strip cut along the back of a hide where it it thicker and more even.It may not be the splitter from the way that you described your set-up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Lorrso, it would appear that your roller is too far forward, the blade is diving into the work. adjust the roller until the blade edge is dead center, then if there's not a guard to hold the leather down, use your free hand to hold it down. Hope that helps, if not, keep trying it should work if your blade is sharp. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimsaddler Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Lorrso, it would appear that your roller is too far forward, the blade is diving into the work. adjust the roller until the blade edge is dead center, then if there's not a guard to hold the leather down, use your free hand to hold it down. Hope that helps, if not, keep trying it should work if your blade is sharp. Hi When you adjust the roller it should be ever so slightly in back of dead top centre. practise will teach you as it depends on your pull as to how far from centre. When you pull your Strap through, hold the strap down with your left Hand at the back of the Roller.I place my thumb on the Blade and 4 Fingers on the Strap. This is to stop your Fingers getting caught and cut. By putting pressure on the strap it then follows the contour of the Roller and Feeds evenly through the Blade. Another cause could be if the Splitter you have is able to Skive Turnbacks. Does it have a Handle to move the Blade back & forth? If so make sure that the Locking Screw is set to the depth you want to Skive to. Sorry I'm not familiar with Tandy's Splitters so I'm guessing about the Handle. Also remember that it is better to reduce your Strap in several stages if it has hard and soft spots. This helps to eliminate gouges like I see in the Pictures. Please have a Happy day. Jim. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lorrso Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Many thanks for your answers! I don't think it's a leather quality problem (I use Sedgwick bridle butts), but only my lack of skill. I'll try again and let you know. L. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$$hobby Report post Posted February 10, 2009 i have one of those and they arent the best. the roller on mine was eccentric and the straps would have a "wow" in it. Luckly i had a friend make one at work. it works better now, but i bought a better version and now im just waiting to sell it. i would say that your roller isnt set properly. once you get it set, the difference will be like night/day. btw, you will also want to use ALL of the blade too when splitting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lorrso Report post Posted March 20, 2009 I followed your recommendations (putting the roller slightly back of the dead top center and keeping a thumb on the strip near the blade) and the result improved radically... but I still wasn't happy, as the cut wasn't straight as I desired: as $$hobby said, I think there's something wrong in the roller. So... I decided to buy a new splitting machine: found this one on eBay... http://cgi.ebay.it/LEATHER-SPLITTER-SPLITT...p3286.m63.l1177 ...that was relatively cheap and the seller had a good reputation. I got my new splitter yesterday and, WOW, it works much better! Solid cast frame, nice 6" blade and a machine-turned heavy rolled. Just wanted to let you know. Thanks a lot for your suggestions! L. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
