Replacement Blades For Skiving / Splitting Machines

[ClaireAshton]

Further to this topic and news how I sorted my blade problem see this thread......

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=57101&page=2#entry371759

[deadsquirrel]

Hi Claire,

You might try Joseph Dixon (http://www.josephdixon.co.uk/content/CONTACT_US.html). As I'm sure you know, they do make their own splitters which includes the blades, and they also do forge knives, etc. Even if they can't make the blade for you, they might have a good idea who could. You're also very close to them, and they're usually willing to see people to chat through things.

The Walsall Leather Museum might be able to help sourcing the fate of the original makers.

Failing that, posting the make and model of the machines might produce some unexpected spares.

Hope that helps.

All the best,

Jerry

Sadly I found out today that Dixons ceased trading on last Friday (I hope it wasn't a wind-up (no pun intended)as it was Friday 13th, so that option won't be available any longer. I had phoned to find out something about their round knives, and was shocked by the news.

[Dangerous Beans]

It isn't a windup it seems.

I spoke with one of the bods this morning,. and it was confirmed that the receivers went in of Friday and Joseph Dixon has ceased trading.

There is a lot of skill at the company and hopefully we will see them reappear even if it is under a new banner.

I wished the folks of Dixons good luck and I'm sure you will feel the same.

[deadsquirrel]

I have ordered some soon to be difficult to get, I suspect, Dixons' tools before Abbey run out. A lot of money given my small requirement, but they will hold their value, as leather working tools seem to. But the wide no.8 pricking irons (for your wallets) were on the order due in this week. :sob: So I will have to find an alternative. Not difficult but it would be nicer if it was business-as-usual. I hope they can be reformed.

BTW Thanks for your video's, they are an inspiration to do things properly. One day I might be able to ;-)

Edited February 17, 2015 by deadsquirrel

[Macca]

Damm, thats a huge loss

Fingers crossed they can get back on their feet.

[Trox]

That's terrible bad news, it feels like somebody close have died..........

[deadsquirrel]

It is bad news, though for the next sentence or two I suspect I will have to get my tin hat on, and avoid incoming fire. I was going to buy a plough gauge at some point, but Dixon's demise pushed me into buying while there was some available. When it arrived, I could see some significant problems they must have faced. The build and finish were poor. The bar that holds the roller was bent, and when adjusting the height, the far end performed circles. When I disassembled it, the bar had deep hammer and vice jaw marks in it. the measuring bar had vice jaw marks, and the stop wouldn't slide to less than 3", as the bar was thicker at the root than the end. There were other problems, but this is enough to give you a feel for it.

You may say this could have just been a rogue unit, but at £300+ it should not have been let out. Fortunately I can fix it, but it will be a few hours work.

[simontuntelder]

Terrible news but things seem to have been going down hill for ages. I was wanting to try some of their strap end punches, but never had the courage to do so because I wasn't very impressed with the modern Dixon tools that I did buy.

Hopefully they'll re-emerge and make better tools than they did before.

Am I the only one who's thinking about what they'll be doing with their stock of tools?

[deadsquirrel]

It is the administrators who will be in control of the remaining stock, which may be very low anyway. Given what seems to be emerging in terms of quality, I would be looking at other suppliers anyway.