Looking At An American 3-In-1 Crank Splitter

[thenrie]

I am getting started in saddlery and other leather work and have been looking for a leather splitter. I came across a 3-in-1 crank splitter/skiver/cutter on ebay and was wondering whether anyone could shed some light on the quality and capabilities of this machine. I would have to restore it, but I'm just not sure it will do the things I would need it to do. I actually get a kick out of restoring old stuff, especially since I can get things cheaper when they need restoration work. Couldn't read the model numbers on it, so I attached a photo.

Wondering whether a machine like this will be a good addition to my shop, or whether I should just look for a smaller pull-through Osborne or similar machine.

[bruce johnson]

The top wheel is narrow and coarse and you'd have to have a new one made smooth to not mark your leather. Depending on how this particular model feeds, that might be a problem. The screw backing the blade is broken off. Not the end of the world, but if you break the piece trying to back it out, that could be. Overall - pretty rough and probably would need a good breakdown, clean up, and reassembly. On Ebay that means you buy it, you own it and you hope to hell they pack it well enough to arrive in one piece and expect it in 2 or 3 pieces. Once you do all that, you will have a machine that will skive and cut leather out on the end. There is no Osborne machine comparable. These were designed for shoe shops. The end wheels would cut and the skiver would put a tapered skive in soles. Good for doing a consistant skive for groundseat work, a folded edge, or run a strap through cross-wise and do a lap skive. Handy to have one for sure, but I'd be wary on this particular version and condition.

[thenrie]

Thanks for your expert assessment, Bruce. I was hoping you'd offer an opinion. I think I'll let this one pass. I really think one of the smaller Osbornes, or clones thereof, would be better for what I want. I just thought it looked like a chance to have a pretty heavy-duty machine for not too much invested.