Strap cutter breaking blades

[BaroqueLeatherGal]

Hey guys, my strap cutter is all of a sudden breaking blades. It was normal once in awhile when the blades would get thinner from sharpening but I got a set of 6 and they all broke in a week. These are the same blades I've always ordered.  Any ideas? The blades also seem to almost be getting shredded. I also tried to put a new roller on to see if that was the issue and it still broke blades. I'm cutting a variety of leather thicknesses and types also. Been using this machine for almost 20 years and have NEVER had any issues. 

[olfart]

My guess would be that the manufacturer changed sources for his steel supply somewhere along the way, and is not tempering the blades after hardening.  I'd complain to the company that makes them and point out the problem of shattering edges.

[BaroqueLeatherGal]

15 minutes ago, olfart said:

My guess would be that the manufacturer changed sources for his steel supply somewhere along the way, and is not tempering the blades after hardening.  I'd complain to the company that makes them and point out the problem of shattering edges.

They insist that they are the same blades when I called and complained about it. I ordered their upgraded steel ones this time around so we will see if they make any difference. Hopefully thats the only issue. Its also breaking my old blades that should be the stronger ones as well. 

Edited June 26, 2018 by BaroqueLeatherGal

[Northmount]

Make sure the blades are not touching the steel roller.  Have had blades on pipe cutter do that when turned down against the roller by kids that didn't know what they were doing. 

Tom

[BaroqueLeatherGal]

41 minutes ago, Northmount said:

Make sure the blades are not touching the steel roller.  Have had blades on pipe cutter do that when turned down against the roller by kids that didn't know what they were doing. 

Tom

I dont have a steel roller, its a nylon roller/tube. Brand new.

[RockyAussie]

9 hours ago, BaroqueLeatherGal said:

I dont have a steel roller, its a nylon roller/tube. Brand new.

Probably the blades are bad but just in case. If you haven't thought to change the location where the blades are touching into the nylon roller there could be some broken blade embedded into the nylon from previous or some grit/stone off of the back of some leather that has become embedded.

9 hours ago, BaroqueLeatherGal said:

I dont have a steel roller, its a nylon roller/tube. Brand new.

Sorry I just read you said the nylon roller was new.

[olfart]

If there's a blade tension adjustment, you might try reducing the tension to the lowest point it will still cut the leather.  Or if you're up for an experiment, put one of the new blades in the oven at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes, then let it cool outside the oven.  That should reduce the hardness and make the steel tougher.

[BaroqueLeatherGal]

4 hours ago, olfart said:

If there's a blade tension adjustment, you might try reducing the tension to the lowest point it will still cut the leather.  Or if you're up for an experiment, put one of the new blades in the oven at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes, then let it cool outside the oven.  That should reduce the hardness and make the steel tougher.

It doesn't have a way to adjust the blade tension. Ill wait for my new (x2 the cost!) new blades to come in..if they break I guess I know its definitely not the blades. 

[Silverd]

I have a Weaver stripper that uses these or very similar blades.  I'm also at a lose to understand how this is happening, however...If there is a side load on the blades during the cutting process then it could lead to this failure.  The picture looks like that might be the case.   These blades are very strong along the web axis but not very strong perpendicular to it.  Check that the top roller shaft that turns the blades does not have side to side play.  It might be that it has become loose in the end bearing block...The bearing block associated with the drive side if your machine is a Weaver or weaver like is the one I suspect. But I just got my machine and have not taken the cover off to examine the design.   Possibly call Weaver if it is of that make.  They are quite helpful.

 

Good luck!

 

Silverd

[RockyAussie]

4 hours ago, BaroqueLeatherGal said:

It doesn't have a way to adjust the blade tension. Ill wait for my new (x2 the cost!) new blades to come in..if they break I guess I know its definitely not the blades. 

I believe what is meant by adjusting the blade tension is adjusting the blades how far down into the nylon roller. How are you able to change the blades if you don't back off the pressure first. The blades on a new nylon should not need to go in much more than 1 to 2mm or about a 1/16".

[DrmCa]

Does the blade touch the roller in operation?

Otherwise +1 for the manufacturer's mistake in heat treatment, or cost cutting by going with cheaper outsourced parts.

 

[BaroqueLeatherGal]

yes, the blades touch the nylon roller

[DrmCa]

Do you have a picture of the roller and blade when in normal operation?

[BaroqueLeatherGal]

Seems to have been the blades. New ones haven't had any issues. Thanks everyone for your feedback.