Skiving Machine, Dual Speed needed?

[RockyAussie]

Hi Adam, that picture above makes no sense to me at all as it shown. Is Gigi anywhere close to you as you may do well to swap notes with her. The presser foot base should angle toward the feed wheel as to allow thick going in and thinner as it gets to the blade edge. For the work your wanting to do I would be getting a roller presser foot either way. I would go with the vacuum model as I doubt that there is any real problem other then setting up properly.They do take awhile to get proficient at using. Some pictures of the machine could help. Brian

[arz]

7 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

Hi Adam, that picture above makes no sense to me at all as it shown. Is Gigi anywhere close to you as you may do well to swap notes with her. The presser foot base should angle toward the feed wheel as to allow thick going in and thinner as it gets to the blade edge. For the work your wanting to do I would be getting a roller presser foot either way. I would go with the vacuum model as I doubt that there is any real problem other then setting up properly.They do take awhile to get proficient at using. Some pictures of the machine could help. Brian

I'm sorry the drawing does not make sense  I think what you described it what I was trying to say, I probably have the angle going in the wrong direction in the drawing.

I'll go try the Chinese model and then choose one, although from what people say the Italian model is probably better. This one is the same as a Atom GL12CTN.

Thanks!

Here is the only photo I have of the machine:

 

Edited June 13, 2017 by arz
Replaced image.

[arz]

Also, I now have access to a band splitter (about 2.5 hours from me). So I can now have someone split my goat leather down to 0.5mm for lining. I really only need the skiver for edges and maybe wallet pockets...

-Adam

[RockyAussie]

5 hours ago, arz said:

I'm sorry the drawing does not make sense  I think what you described it what I was trying to say, I probably have the angle going in the wrong direction in the drawing.

I'll go try the Chinese model and then choose one, although from what people say the Italian model is probably better. This one is the same as a Atom GL12CTN.

Thanks!

Here is the only photo I have of the machine:

 

Picture looks good to me. Has the Chinese one have a Vacuum or not? If not I would go with the one in picture I think.

[arz]

1 hour ago, RockyAussie said:

Picture looks good to me. Has the Chinese one have a Vacuum or not? If not I would go with the one in picture I think.

The Chinese one does not have a vacuum. The cheapest Chinese with a vacuum I can find is around 2,400 euro (Sieck.de). This is much much less!

So the vacuum is that important?

-Adam

[RockyAussie]

10 hours ago, arz said:

So the vacuum is that important?

In my own experience yes. I have had both and there is a big difference unless you are using heavy saddle type leathers. Soft leathers will often stay attached to the feed wheel and come around to the knife again then cutting through the leather and wrecking it.The one I had first without a vacuum I sold for $200au and felt bad for dumping it instead.Regards Brian

[arz]

@RockyAussie Thanks! I use mostly Alran goat and veg-tan from Italy (2mm max). I will let you know what machine I buy. Either way I will need to buy a better foot for it. -Adam

[Trox]

I would choose that Italian machine, the Italians make very good skiving machines. And I agree with Brian, a exhaust/suction system is important. Of course a constant speed bell knife machine does a much better job and are easier to use. I have an Italian Alpha machine with three motor setup, little servo for the feed wheel, one for the knife and one for the vacuum system. Very happy with it. Tor 

[arz]

@Trox Thanks for the info! Our small shop is in our third bedroom in our apartment. That is why I was leaning towards the Chinese machine, it is quieter (don't want to disturb the neighbors). However, I do have another room in a retail space about ten minutes away (rented for another purpose). I could put the skiver there. Not great, but it will work until we can rent a better shop.

I appreciate the advice that all of you have given, it has been very helpful! -Adam

[Trox]

On Friday, June 16, 2017 at 9:29 PM, arz said:

@Trox Thanks for the info! Our small shop is in our third bedroom in our apartment. That is why I was leaning towards the Chinese machine, it is quieter (don't want to disturb the neighbors). However, I do have another room in a retail space about ten minutes away (rented for another purpose). I could put the skiver there. Not great, but it will work until we can rent a better shop.

I appreciate the advice that all of you have given, it has been very helpful! -Adam

Either way a skiving machine makes noice regardless how many motors they have, the grinding is very noisy. If you can get an Italian machine with constant speed and vacuum for the same money as an basic Chinese machine, your choice would be easy. Do not even dwell about it, just grab it. These machines have a pretty step learning curve and the Italian one would be much easier to use. Tor