Skiver Fault

[Yanni]

I have a Highlead skiver, looks like a Fortuna copy and it decided not to take the material any more despite any adjustements I have made.

What do I need to do ?

The feed wheel is at its correct height, there is enough pressure from the top and it still does not skive.

I have sharpen the knife too...wondering whether the angle of the sharpening stone is wrong....

Need desperate help!...

[Wizcrafts]

These are fickle machines. The angle you sharpen on must be correct and go from the tip of the blade, upward about 3/8 inch. This usually means you start with the blade some distance from the foot, so the tip barely gets sharpened. Then, begin moving the blade towards the foot and backing off the sharpening wheel, to create a long taper. Finally, use your deburring sticks on the inside of the spinning blade to get rid of inside burrs. That's how I sharpen the blade on my Fortuna.

The rest is a balancing act between the height of the drive wheel, the presser foot and distance the edge of the blade is to the right of the foot. Moving it farther away makes it easier to feed.

[Yanni]

Oh! I see, this is the way to sharpen it?

I used to simply move the sharpening stone close and away from the blade.

I'll try your way moving the blade towards the sharpening stone instead and post my findings.

I'm so tempted to invest in a Fortuna with a suction built in as we use this skiver quite a lot in our factory here in the UK.

Thanks...

[dirtclod]

Their are some movies on you tube about how to set a skiver like yours.

[Trox]

In addition to what Wiz has explained, I have learned a little trick to finishing off the sharpening. To avoid building up a burr on either side of the knife, I use the deburring stick and the sharpening wheel together; and stop them in exactly the same moment. Stopping one before the other can leave a burr on either of the knife sides . Inspect your knife edge, use your finger and feel if it has any burrs. (Do not forget to turn of the power first, or else you get a very short manicure)

Like in all leather skiving the knife edge must be the right angle and very sharp to get a nice skive.

Did you find the fault?

Tor

[Yanni]

Just bought a used Fortuna skiver from Germany with built in suction for 2800 euros and i do not regret it at all.

It works first time all the time and doesn't need lubrication...all ball bearings....

I'm not buying chinese machines ever again...bought a Highlead sewing machine last year brand new and the shop took it back after trying to repair it for nearly 2 hours in front of me!....