Skiving foot roller adaptation

[RockyAussie]

Hi Adam, I am only aware of one size feed wheel. They can come in a few different types as in fine and coarser stones and likewise in steel and even in rubber but as far as length and diameter they are all the same as far as I have ever seen. The bell is a set shape and the feed has to match. The shorter length roller yo mention should give you a bit more angle if you need and the 50mm would be better for splitting purposes as it may require less passes. The one I have shown in the video above is about 31mm long and due to its shape being bigger on one end I can angle it a lot for grooving out as well. I don't know if this link will help but it shows the foot I used in the video.Best of luck Brian https://ko.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-Roller-Presser-Foot-For-Skiving-Leather-Machines-nippy-fotuna-taiking-801-parts-kit-best-Quality/32782944504.html?spm=2114.53010508.4.103.7VVEtX

[arz]

@RockyAussie Thanks! In my machine manual and also online I have seen smaller feed wheels. For example on the Fratelli Alberti website they recommend the 34mm roller with their 34mm feed wheel. If I use it on a 50mm feed wheel the shape may not be right, that was my concern.  Thanks for the link! -Adam

[RockyAussie]

Ok I checked into the 34mm roller and yes I see it. I cant think why they make it as I have never wanted a shorter feed and if anything a longer feed would be better. As far as their feet go I cant say to be sure if there would be any problems in using their 34mm roller on a 50mm wheel. About 20 or so years back when I am not sure if they even made roller feet I made my own, even before I had a lathe. See in pictures below. They start off as a common foot that comes normally with the machines and I just got a bit of round brass and drilled a hole in the middle and smoothed off a nail made for hammering into concrete.  I then cut down the foot to fit with a hacksaw and filed and sanded up then drilled it out to take the nail. To stop the nail turning I ground a flat on the side of the nail then drilled and tapped the side of the foot to put a small bolt to touch the nail.The pics should explain mostly I think. It needs some oil in the hole every now and then. Once I had the brass on the nail and installed I just ground it down to shape comparing it to the feed wheel roller. It does not have to be as an exact match as you might think and it is easy to take of the machine and re sand a bit if you think it is needed. After a few years of heavy use they can get a little sloppy but that does not matter much as when the job feeds through it just moves up and ends up straight anyway. Have some fun. Brian

[arz]

@RockyAussie Thanks for the info! You are very creative  I like playing with things like this, but like most people my time is very valuable. I will keep playing with my machine and probably buy a roller from China. The 50mm roller from Italy is 178 euro! The 50mm teflon is about 80 euro. I need something because the normal foot can mark some of the leather we use.

Either way, I'm learning a lot and think the skiving machine will really help us make the high-end fine wallets we want. It is really a must have tool!

Have you ever used the teflon feet? How does it compare to a roller?

-Adam

[RockyAussie]

Teflon are a fair bit better but I like the roller way more. You may be able to buy some teflon tape and try it. Brian

[tzleather]

Great videos. Maybe you could start selling these modified roller feet?   I just bought a new skiving machine and oh boy there are so much to learn...Thank you for posting this.

[RockyAussie]

On 17/11/2017 at 3:29 AM, tzleather said:

Great videos. Maybe you could start selling these modified roller feet?   I just bought a new skiving machine and oh boy there are so much to learn...Thank you for posting this.

Thanks @tzleather I hope that it is of some help to you in the future. If you're really to worried to do a roller for yourself ...send me a foot if you have one spare and I'll make you one up like mine for $60.00 au. I have no idea why they don't make one's like mine as they last well with a little oiling and make the skiving so much less trouble.I still use my old brass one mostly. Brian

[JasonGwiazda]

Sorry I'm a few months behind catching up, but @RockyAussie does your brass roller allow you to skive heavier leathers too? I've got a standard bell skiver and thinking about modifying it to take more dense veg tan too.  Cheers!

[RockyAussie]

5 hours ago, JasonGwiazda said:

Sorry I'm a few months behind catching up, but @RockyAussie does your brass roller allow you to skive heavier leathers too? I've got a standard bell skiver and thinking about modifying it to take more dense veg tan too.  Cheers!

Yes it allows me to do heavy leathers pretty well but on stiff hard stuff I normally go about that by doing it in 2 stages. The roller will allow heavier leather way more so than the standard feet will. On thick leathers it is often necessary to take the bell back away a bit to get the feed to grip better. That can make a big difference.

[JasonGwiazda]

Thanks mate, I'll look into getting a roller foot and have a play to go from there.  Much appreciated!