Splitter

[jrny4wrd]

I need a small splitter that will work well for wallet backs. Needs to split at least 4”. I had seen bench top splitters, and wondering if they are worth the price. I would like to use the same leather for the back as the insides m, so need to split down to 2oz. Any advice on a decent one that works? Does any of Tandy’s work? 

[Hardrada]

I'd avoid Tandy's splitters. Looks like someone here got a hernia trying to pull a 4" stripe through one: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/83495-craftool-deluxe-leather-splitter/?tab=comments#comment-563569

I'd look elsewhere. Maybe Weaver's Heritage splitters? The CS Osbornes are another option, but they are quite pricey.

[terrymac]

Unless you have the sharpest splitter blade in the country, you aren't going to split 4" without distorting and stretching the leather. I guess it is possible if the blade is sharp enough.  Best solution is to buy the weight you need.  Rocky Mountain Supply has a band splitter and they will split at no charge.

Terry

[JLSleather]

NONE of the splitters I've seen for under $500 (granted I haven't seen that many) arrive sharp and ready to cut.  I'm pretty stuck on that.. I know I have to sharpen cutting tools, but it irritates me to no end when I have to sharpen a NEW tool before I can use it.

Unless you're doing lap skives, I don't think splitters are worth the cost.  Granted, if you're one who likes to buy tools so you can say you have 'em, there's that.  Each his own.

But ...

• $500 NOT spent on a bench splitter will get you enough leather already wallet weight to make about 200 wallets. 
• $2500-3k for a "powered" stationery blade splitter costs the same as FIFTEEN SIDES of leather.  And for "billfold" style wallet backs, figure 60-70 of them per side, or roughly 1000 wallet backs.  So the question then, would I be willing to trade roughly 1000 wallet backs to have a "splitter", but still need leather?

Again, there is a place for them. 

• Maybe a benefit to some to reduce inventory - you could just buy ONE weight and split what you need from that.  I'm not that guy, personally... doesn't pay to save that space and a few extra minutes of inventory counting/ordering but then have to split something every time you start a project, provide space to keep and use the splitter, sharpen the splitter (or have it sharpened), .... 
• It is nice to be able to cut a belt strip from say 8 oz leather, then cut the keeper loop from the same leather for the color/texture match, then split to about 4/4.5 oz for function.

 

[BigSiouxSaddlery]

I probably have more splitters than just about anyone else reading this, and for the weight of leather you are asking about, I STILL buy that weight.  To split 4" width down to wallet weight, consistently, you are going to need a band knife splitter.  I don't even have one, because good ones are hellish expensive, take a lot of room, and like JLS said, I can buy a LOT of leather for the $10k or so that one of those is going to cost me.  Do I dream of having one?  Well hell yeah!!

Edited January 12, 2020 by BigSiouxSaddlery

[arashikage]

Like BigSioux said, for consistency you would need a band knife cutter. I have a 6" Sutton crank splitter that I can easily get down to 2oz but I have to start with at least an 8-9oz piece. If I try splitting 4oz to 2 it will essentially stall out and not feed. I can appreciate the idea of wanting to use what you have and have things match but it may not be financially the best choice. 

I have heard good things as far as getting consistent splitting with something like a Cobra Class 14 but like JLS said, that's an almost $3k machine. Going to take a lot of wallets to recoup that. 

[chrisash]

JLS talks a lot of good sence, just buy the thickness you require

[sbrownn]

On 1/11/2020 at 9:52 AM, jrny4wrd said:

I need a small splitter that will work well for wallet backs. Needs to split at least 4”. I had seen bench top splitters, and wondering if they are worth the price. I would like to use the same leather for the back as the insides m, so need to split down to 2oz. Any advice on a decent one that works? Does any of Tandy’s work? 

I guess I'm the odd man out here but a splitter is one of the first leather machines I would buy.   I work almost exclusively in bridle leather and my projects require lots of colors and differing thicknesses.  Just keeping all the colors in inventory takes a lot of space and having a set of thicknesses in each color would be ridiculous.

Almost any old 6" splitter with a sharp blade will split 4" wide down to 2oz with no problem.  I purchased an old Champion cheap on eBay because it wouldn't split but all it needed was to have it's blade sharpened and now it works like a champ.  Any splitter blade can be sharpened on a granite block using automotive wet paper and a home made jig. Just the other day I ran across an ad for a nice Landis 6" splitter for sale on Craigslist for $100.  I was too late but they are out there.

[LatigoAmigo]

4 hours ago, sbrownn said:

Almost any old 6" splitter with a sharp blade will split 4" wide down to 2oz with no problem

... as long as you're not splitting chrome-tanned leather ... then it is quite a different story, one I learned the hard ($$$) way.

[sbrownn]

On 3/2/2020 at 7:59 PM, LatigoAmigo said:

... as long as you're not splitting chrome-tanned leather ... then it is quite a different story, one I learned the hard ($$$) way.

I haven't split chrome-tanned down to 2oz but I have split chrome-tanned.  What happens when you try to split down to 2oz?