Opinions On Fratelli Skiving Machine

[simontuntelder]

I came across an offer of buying a rather cheap ($400) skiving machine from Fratelli. I don't know much about Fratelli and I couldn't find any info on it here and I haven't had much luck finding any reviews other places. So I guess it's not as good as Nippy or Fortuna.

So have you tried a Fratelli skiving machine? If so what did you think?

[Ferg]

Sorry, never heard of it. Are you familiar enough with the machine to see if it is built as the Fortuna?

Many clones with most having almost all the features of the Fortuna. If this machine is new I would leave it where it's at.

ferg

[Ferg]

I found this: http://www.fratellialberti.com/lang2/skiving_machines_av2.html

I didn't see any bottom and top feed machines. I don't see any mention of a grinder so I am guessing it has a grinding wheel

that is in contact with the bell knife all the time, I do not know that for sure.

Many configurations of the machine including, head only. Four hundred bucks is awfully cheap, may not include shipping. Appears the machines from the factory would ship from Italy. The heads will average 100 lbs. Shipping from Italy could cost you another $400 to $500.

ferg

[simontuntelder]

Oh, I forgot to say that I found it in a classified add in Denmark. But the seller got it, when he bought a shop that used to house an upholstery and curtain shop, so he doesn't know anything about it (hence the price probably).

So I'm not buying straight from the factory - I found a re-seller of Fratelli skiving machines and new machines were way over $2.000.

And I don't know anything about skiving machines basically. I've tried a Fortuna in a leather factory once and I quite liked it, but they're so expensive in Europe, that I've never ever considered buying one until now.

[Wizcrafts]

Since they are still in production in Italy, buy it and contact the factory if you need a new blade, belt, or deburring stones. You are getting the machine for a quarter of its true value. You can probably order a manual from the company. They can tell you what the skiving capacity is once you know the model number.

[Trox]

Hei Simon,

FAV makes very good Fortuna style skiving machines and other leather machines too. Its a old well known and reliable Italian company who makes the top of the line leather machines. Ask Dan Naegle in Campbell-Randall http://www.campbell-randall.com/machines/leather-goods-machines/skiving-machines/fav-av2-skiving-machine-2/. he sells them, (LW member name is CampbellRandall in one word). This model is the FAV second machine type, first made in 1948. I must be a well proved machine, much alike its original Fortuna model.

Spare-parts should not be a problem, thats the main part of the FAV business today. I have a Italian skiving machine myself, the Italians knows how to make good machines. Look at their cars, you cannot find nicer cars anywhere else. However, when it comes to leather machines, Italy is the place. (Read mainland China)

Tor

[TinkerTailor]

Thanks Trox, that is some interesting info. I have never seen this style of skiver before, how does it feed? I don't really see how it would work. I tried to look at the manual but I am not that good with Italian and FAV could use a better english translator.....

[CampbellRandall]

FAV makes an excellent machine.

Here is a basic overview of a bottom feed machine.

 

[Darren Brosowski]

That looks like a Cornelli type machine in the background?

 

[Singermania]

Yes another fairly standard Fortuna style skiver, I'd be surprised of the bell knife and other main components aren't interchangeable with Fortuna and other clone bottom feed skivers.