American Vs Landis 30 Splitter?

[olroper99]

Hey all! Oh boy...I just had to meet up with a new bud in Regina...and he showed me his beautiful Landis 30 splitter.

Now I'm wanting one pretty bad.

I've found an American splitter...hand crank...prolly the same type as the Landis.

The guy who has it says he thinks the Landis is a better machine.

Anyone have any real experience to add to this?

Thankyou!

Russ

[bruce johnson]

Russ,

I have had both at different times. The Landis I had fed from the front and the Americans I have had feed from the back. I asked my old tool buddy about the difference one time. His line was "Weeeell, it all depends on whether you want to see the strap go in or come out". I just rebuilt an American and Champion. The Champion came set up with the handle on the opposite side to feed from the front if you crank with the right hand, but it was reversible so I did. The Landis might be also?

My thoughts with using both is that in my hands there isn't much difference. The adjustment action on the Landis might be a little smoother, but the rest isn't much different to me. The Landis will usually bring a little more money because of name recognition.

[olroper99]

Thanks Bruce! I was hoping you'd chime in!

The American is being shipped this morning.

Can't wait for the new toy to show up.

Russ

[CampbellRandall]

The big advantage to the Landis is you can still get most of the replacement parts. The blades are identical, and function is about the same. I think the Landis model 30 has a better thickness adjustment (ratchet style) vs the wing nut style on the American, Champion , and old Landis. They are all good machines if they are in good repair.

[steveh]

All three of the splitters where manufactured in st louis , Dobney an original invester in the Landis co. founded Champion shoe machinery there splitter was patented 1927, American Machinery patented there splitter 1930 and was affiliated with Landis, the machines take the same blade , so I guess you say the machines are all cousins.

[olroper99]

Tapping toe on floor...still waiting....sigh...dang Greyhound....stopping at every mailbox across Canada....

[olroper99]

Splitter came today!!!! Works GREAT!!!! What a neat deal!

Ahem...now the machinist side of me wants to add a digital readout to make the thickness more repeatable. ;-)

[wkendleatherman]

I boughtt an Americal leather splitter, have problems with it splitting the leather evenly. Where can I find directions to adjust the machine?

Russ,

I have had both at different times. The Landis I had fed from the front and the Americans I have had feed from the back. I asked my old tool buddy about the difference one time. His line was "Weeeell, it all depends on whether you want to see the strap go in or come out". I just rebuilt an American and Champion. The Champion came set up with the handle on the opposite side to feed from the front if you crank with the right hand, but it was reversible so I did. The Landis might be also?

My thoughts with using both is that in my hands there isn't much difference. The adjustment action on the Landis might be a little smoother, but the rest isn't much different to me. The Landis will usually bring a little more money because of name recognition.

Edited June 13, 2011 by wkendleatherman

[Whitebirch]

On the topic of splitters, I inherited most of my grandfather's shoe shop machinery including a Progressive finishing machine, stitcher, Singer 29K-4, an American skiver and a Progressive splitter, most of it dating from the 1920s or early 1930s. Sadly after my grandfather passed away in 76, the machinery wasn't used much and was stored in a humid and dirty environment so it's going to take some work getting it all up and usable. I haven't taken the splitter apart to rebuild, but in reading this thread I thought I'd ask this esteemed list if they knew if the Progressive splitter used the same knife as the Landis and American splitters? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Edited October 17, 2013 by Whitebirch