alexitbe Report post Posted November 29, 2017 (edited) Has anyone tried it? Since leather presses are relatively cheap and splitters not, I was thinking of attempting this. The leather press has almost everything necessary to be a splitter apart from the blade. It has a driven top roller, an adjustable top roller (How precise I don't know). If one can tap and thread some holes in to the front of the machine (I think the press I am interested in already has holes there-see pic) somewhere near where the two rollers meet. Use a simple L bracket reaching from oneside to the other, with slits to adjust height and to mount a blade on. Then find a blade or make one.. I think it is possible and reasonable thing to do... yes? The leather press: So that I would end up with something like this, with the blade across the front... Edited November 29, 2017 by alexitbe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt S Report post Posted November 29, 2017 There is a lot more work there than the cost of a splitter would justify. What are you splitting? I bought my Cowboy lap skiver for £150. Clamped the handle down and used it to split 100mm wide strips of bridle leather. There's a 2" splitter for sale on eBay right now that takes utility knife blades that I'm tempted by for a similar price. If you need/want something like the crank splitter in the photo you can get Chinesium ones for under €/$1000. My vintage British one was about £250. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alexitbe Report post Posted November 29, 2017 Well I would happily pay 250 for a crank handle splitter... I think you got lucky there... I can get the leather press for 50 Euros, so I am willing to spend another 150 on converting it... If and only if it would work well... I am looking to be able to skive upto 6 inch strips of leather.. .No more than that.. I have been waiting a long time for a splitter to come available and nothing has turned up as yet, so I thought I might give this a go... Cheers ALex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt S Report post Posted November 29, 2017 2 hours ago, alexitbe said: Well I would happily pay 250 for a crank handle splitter... I think you got lucky there... I did, but there is an identical one on eBay UK for £350 right now. Shipping to the Continent would be expensive (50Kg) -- if they'll arrange it https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Hand-Splitting-Machine/272939511687?hash=item3f8c766f87:g:seAAAOSwb69Z15lM Bloody good machine, though like all British machinery it leaks oil like the Exxon Valdez. The big wheel is handy in that it stores a lot of energy. I've seen similar splitters come and go at less £/$/€. <quote=alexitbe">I can get the leather press for 50 Euros, so I am willing to spend another 150 on converting it... If and only if it would work well...</quote> Ironically I'm having trouble finding a leather press for a reasonable price. I'm making do with a pasta machine that I can't even find. Thing is, fine tuning my splitter has given me an appreciation of how surprisingly exacting they are. I wouldn't feel confident converting a roller press to a splitter, even with one to compare with. Mind you, I'm no toolmaker. <quote=alexitbe">I am looking to be able to skive upto 6 inch strips of leather.. .No more than that..</quote> That's a wide piece of leather. What sort? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikesc Report post Posted November 29, 2017 If you do buy from the UK..look into parcelhero for shipping to Germany.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alexitbe Report post Posted November 30, 2017 Thanks for the ebay link... I am watching it and will see how it goes. Although I am not convinced parcelhero will ship 50kgs... I'll check. With regard to presses, I have found that beeswax presses or laminating machines are cheap and could be a good alternative. https://www.ebay.de/itm/Manuell-Laminator-Rollenlaminator-Kaltlaminator-Roller-25-5-650mm/272645659016?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
