Strap Cutter Machines

[stephaniebrown]

I'm considering a strap cutter machine, but wanted to get opinions about the various machines out there. Here are the following machines I'm looking at:

Weaver hand operated ($1900, 8" cutting capacity): http://www.weaverleathersupply.com/Catalog/ItemContent.aspx?ItemNumber=25364

Cobra AK-20 ($1995, 14" cutting capacity): http://www.leathermachineco.com/product/cobra-ak-20-leather-strap-cutting-machine/

Artisan AK-22 ($1890, 14" cutting capacity): http://www.artisansew.com/leathercuttingmachinesandclickers.html#

Techsew 2020 ($1995, 20" cutting capacity): http://shop.raphaelsewing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=731

Morpan ($2000 rebuilt, 12" cutting capacity): http://landisusa.com/us-en/starp-cutter-morpan.html

I'm also curious on why all the pricing is almost identical when some have different cutting capacities, some come on a table, one is hand operated... Any and all information would be great!

[Thor]

I guess it would be a lot easier to help you if you'd tell us what your demand is. None of these machines might fit the bill or they might be just right or way too much...

Pricing is subject to the seller. Why they are pricing the way they do will be there little secret.

[chrstn53]

The Cobra, Artisan and Techsew machines are manufactured in china, the weaver is made here in the united states, so it has a higher labor cost. The morphan looks similar to the older Italian made strap cutters I have seen and looks like a good old simple work horse. If you have the option to attend a leather tool/equipment auction, you can usually pick a good one up for less than $1000. The last equipment auction I attended had two Italian strap cutters with table and motors and they went for around $600

[stephaniebrown]

Thor, I'm cutting down sides into straps from 1/2" to 8-9" in width.

chrstn53, thanks! How do you find out about leather tool/equipment auctions?

[Thor]

Auctions are great if you don't want to have warranty on your equipment or the piece is so cheap that replacing isn't an issue. Rather than buying at an auction I would attend one of the trade shows if possible and buy one of their displays if possible.

Here's the weaver one on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Master-Tools-Hand-Operated-Strap-Cutter-Leather-belts-industrial-machine-/321748800455?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae9b913c7 at $1550.

This Germany based company ships to the US as well and offers service in English too. Plus the warranty regulations in Germany are a lot better than in North America. Definitely worth looking into. http://www.sieck.de/en/machines/strap-strip-belt-cutting/. Don't be afraid of the shipping cost. They are very reasonable from Germany to the US. The machines start 950 EUR which is about the same in US$ at this time.

From the list of machines you posted the only one I really wouldn't choose is the Techsew as I haven't heard a lot of good stuff about that company's products. The weaver machine is a nice machine if you don't have a lot of straps to make at once. If you do an automated one is more comfortable but also more prone to failure due to the electric components.

[stephaniebrown]

Thanks, Thor! I've started exploring these options, so hopefully I can find one soon.

[Art]

The first thing you should consider is that you really need both hands to control the leather, especially if you are strapping a side or back. The AK-20 from Cobra is 20" width, their splitter (not slitter) is 14" width. The Morpan is narrower so that lets it out and the Weaver is hand crank, though you could rig up a motor. For no other reason than I have one and it works, get the Cobra AK-20.

Art

[stephaniebrown]

Thanks, Art! I've been thinking about getting the Cobra AK-20. However, everyone online that I see says it has a 14" cutting width--it is really 20"?

[Art]

It seems to be 14" according to the sellers. Years ago it was 20". Mine is not where I can check it right away, however it has done everything I have wanted.

Art

[Mike516]

On 5/14/2015 at 11:40 AM, Thor said:

This Germany based company ships to the US as well and offers service in English too. Plus the warranty regulations in Germany are a lot better than in North America. Definitely worth looking into. http://www.sieck.de/en/machines/strap-strip-belt-cutting/. Don't be afraid of the shipping cost. They are very reasonable from Germany to the US. The machines start 950 EUR which is about the same in US$ at this time.

I contacted this company in Germany. The machines are really nice and shipping is surprisingly reasonable. I was looking at this one http://www.sieck.de/en/machines/strap-strip-belt-cutting/details/5494/ If my math is right, I figured 1020,00 euros would be roughly $1150 to my door.

The downside is, the spacers for their machines only come in metric sizes. They said they could send some 1mm spacers for me to get close to the inches measurements. All my hardware is in inches - 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.5", etc.

If I'm not mistaken, and someone please tell me I'm wrong, I won't be able to convert those sizes using metric spacers no matter how many I use, and is it even worth the trouble? Is there a solution I'm not thinking of?