Craftool Pro Splitter

[YinTx]

If you search on this site you will find a lot of posts with the question "Tandy has their splitter on sale, is it worth the price?"

If you read them, you will find a mixed bag.  They are not top notch splitters, the blades seem to need regular stropping, and others just opt to find a good splitter.  That being said, if you really need one and don't have the money, they do function.  Often times you can find a used one for a decent price.  That is what I did, and mine works pretty well.  

I still have upgrade-itis,  and may eventually sell mine to get a better version some day.  But if I never do, this one does the job!

YinTx

[garypl]

Thanks everyone for your feedback!  The $200 price is for anyone on Black Friday - limited to quantity of stock at the store.

I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a splitter because I don’t see myself using it that often, but I am curious about them and once I try one I may find more uses for it.  As YinTx mentioned, there are a few posts on the subject - some l8e it and other not so much.  If I get one next Friday I will post my comments on it!

Gary

[ScoobyNewbie]

Yeah, but I like it, so it’s a “feature”. Lol

Black Friday! Just sayin...

[catskin]

I got a deluxe on the black Friday a couple years ago and it seems worth the price to me although I only use it to skive ends on straps since I have 4 other pull splitters. And recently got a American crank that looks like it has done very little.  Based on the fact that the blade has barely been moved from new setting ( all of the slot is still behind the bolt that sets it )  and it splits to paper thin.

[garypl]

After hearing all of the comments I’m torn between buying or not.  

Think I will go over to the store tomorrow and ask them to try it out - seem to remember one setup on their machine table.  If it doesn’t work as well as I expect I will pass and look for an older unit.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our USA members!

Gary

[JLSleather]

I nearly caused a tandy manager a coronary event a few years back.  Couldn't find an awl that ACTUALLY CUTS without standing on the back of it. 

New gal SAID these awls were great stuff, but I'd seen enough junk that I wanted to SEE it work.  So I went over to a stack of 9/10 dbl shoulders, picked up a corner and went to PIERCE it.. without a winch or a maul. 

By the way teh manager came flying over, I guess he could use some new shorts.  I could have let it go, I guess, but instead I told him I'll TAKE the leather, and IF the awl is worth anything I'll take that too.  But I didn't care for the way he tried to make it that young gal's "fault", so that got a bit ugly.  I paid for the leather, gave 'em back yet another crap awl, and never shopped there again (though I did offer that kid free lunch and a recommendation to tell that idiot what to do with his "position").

If they won't show you it works, they either don't believe it works, or they don't want to sell it.

[garypl]

Well, I went to the Tandy store this morning and while the masses were rummaging through the stacks of $29.95 veg tan sides, I asked for a demo of the skiver.  I have to say, I was impressed how it skived a strap that was about 2” wide.  Tandy rep did tell me that you really have to keep the blade honed for good results.

I bought one of the last 2 they had left for the sale.  Also picked up a 3-4 oz side for $30 that I will use for lining.

Bad news - my wife told me to turn the skiver over to her so she could give it to me for Christmas!  I don’t mind because my shop is in the middle of a reorganization and I haven’t touched a piece of leather for the past 3-4 weeks.  I’ll send my comments after I have a chance to unpack and test it after Christmas 

Gary

[Mark842]

I've has one for a few years. Don't remember why but mine came with a spare blade. I set it up with the blade it came with and remember it being dull as shit. I stropped it and it worked much better. Took the spare blade to my local blade guru to have it sharpened as I suck at sharpening. According to him it is actually a decent quality metal but wasn't sharpened worth a shit. He got it good and sharp and I've been using it for a few years with the occasional stropping. I use it for 1-1/2 straps down to 3/8" wide latigo and veg. I can get it down to paper thin although once you get that thin the leather will start stretching on you pulling it through.

 If you can't sharpen good, find someone who can and it will work great for what you need I think.

[JLSleather]

Sides for $30, maybe I shoulda went and checked it out?@!  Worst kin happen, I gotta have lunch with that little cutie girl (or both of em) works at the store...

 

[garypl]

48 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

Sides for $30, maybe I shoulda went and checked it out?@!  Worst kin happen, I gotta have lunch with that little cutie girl (or both of em) works at the store...

 

Quality not the best, but I can cut around the one small hole and a couple of bug bites.  Back also is a bit grainy, but for $30 how can you go wrong for lining leather!