cobra Bell Skiver, Top and Bottom Feed,

[Silverd]

Hello

 

Can anyone explain why a top and bottom feed skiver is better than a bottom feed only?  Can a top and bottom feed skiver do everything that a bottom feed only skiver can do...but more?   If a Leatherworker.net Member is skiving mostly higher temper Herman Oak 3-4oz (1-2mm) leather...can this work be done on a Top and Bottom Feed skiver or should this individual use a bottom feed only skiver.  There is not one sewing machine that does everything...Is this also true for Skiving machines?   Do I need both?   

Your assistance to the questions above will assist me in deciding on which machine to purchase and will ultimately determine the success of my business and the health of my sanity!

 

Many Thanks in advance.

 

Silverd

[RockyAussie]

2 hours ago, Silverd said:

Can a top and bottom feed skiver do everything that a bottom feed only skiver can do...but more?

A little bit yes. Bit like a 4 wheel drive compared to a 2 wheel drive. For heavy leathers and rubber and such then yeah go for the top/bottom but for most leather work except perhaps saddlery work I would not have one if you gave it to me. They are a pain and slow to alter the settings and get right but if you are doing a LOT of the same setting and its heavy stuff the go that way. (1to 2mm would be very easy on a bottom feed) If I wanted to skive 4/5mm of firm temper I would do a double pass if it were a wide and thin skive required. At near to the end of this video I did awhile ago you can see me skiving some pretty firm temper leather on a bottom feed but note I am using a roller foot which I use always on anything as can be seen in other skiving videos I have done. I hope to get another vid up soon showing some belt skiving stuff on it as well.

 

Edited August 5, 2020 by RockyAussie
forgot link

[jimi]

Here is a video showing a Nippy (bottom) skiver and some of the different options, I think you would be hard pressed to find something similar showing the options for a top and bottom skiver, but i could be wrong??

 

[Silverd]

Wow!  Fantastic videos.  Bottom feed only machines appear to be capable of everything I would ever use them for.  Ive been in contact with the Nippy folks.  Very difficult to communicate with however.  I did get them to send me a quote for their NP-201 machine which they claim is the export model...But its not clear what the differences are between this and the 210 and 211.  And I absolutely agree that the various presser feet would be essential to the full range of skiving that one could use.  Really great info.  

 

So how does one order some or all of the presser feet from these guys.  From what I can tell they do not have USA representation.

 

Silverd

[Arturomex]

37 minutes ago, Silverd said:

So how does one order some or all of the presser feet from these guys.  From what I can tell they do not have USA representation.

 

 

I don't know if those are Nippy presser feet or not. I've been trying to track these guys down for a while.  On Youtube, the notes attached to the video Jimi posted are in Vietnamese. The website doesn't seem to exist anymore and a search for the trading company that was (is ?) out of Taiwan hasn't brought me any joy. I also would like to get some presser feet from these guys but I think I'm going to go with Campbell-Randall instead just to save headaches.

I'm told that Nippy makes good machines but you certainly don't need to go that route. TechSew, Cowboy and Cobra all offer their version of this clone. I recently got a TechSew SK-4 and I'm very happy with it. While I haven't had to call them about this machine I've talked with their service department about a sewing machine I have and there's a lot to be said for being able to easily communicate with a vendor.

You referenced "higher temper Herman Oak 3-4oz (1-2mm) leather." It might be a good idea to see how well your leather skives with the supplied presser feet. They can change the leather substantially. Brian (RockyAussie) says he does everything with a roller foot. (Check his videos -he shows how he modified the roller foot.) As a novice,  I'm not sure but I think a roller type foot mitigates a lot of the problems caused by using the regular presser feet on, say, tooling leather. Maybe someone with more experience can comment about that.

Regards,

Arturo

[jimi]

19 hours ago, Silverd said:

So how does one order some or all of the presser feet from these guys.  From what I can tell they do not have USA representation.

Maybe try there website page, or as Arturomex said Campbell-Randall sells feet in the USA.  Fratelli Alberti also sells feet for their FAV machines. Fortuna will probably sell them also.

[Silverd]

18 hours ago, Arturomex said:

I don't know if those are Nippy presser feet or not. I've been trying to track these guys down for a while.  On Youtube, the notes attached to the video Jimi posted are in Vietnamese. The website doesn't seem to exist anymore and a search for the trading company that was (is ?) out of Taiwan hasn't brought me any joy. I also would like to get some presser feet from these guys but I think I'm going to go with Campbell-Randall instead just to save headaches.

I'm told that Nippy makes good machines but you certainly don't need to go that route. TechSew, Cowboy and Cobra all offer their version of this clone. I recently got a TechSew SK-4 and I'm very happy with it. While I haven't had to call them about this machine I've talked with their service department about a sewing machine I have and there's a lot to be said for being able to easily communicate with a vendor.

You referenced "higher temper Herman Oak 3-4oz (1-2mm) leather." It might be a good idea to see how well your leather skives with the supplied presser feet. They can change the leather substantially. Brian (RockyAussie) says he does everything with a roller foot. (Check his videos -he shows how he modified the roller foot.) As a novice,  I'm not sure but I think a roller type foot mitigates a lot of the problems caused by using the regular presser feet on, say, tooling leather. Maybe someone with more experience can comment about that.

Regards,

Arturo

Agree the other companies carry good machines but how many of them support with 19 unique presser feet?   I'm actually in communication with Nippy and they appear to have someone at their end who reads and writes English.  They are quoting NP-S1 machine and four standard feet with shipping for about $2600.00 and will provide pricing for additional feet once I provide them with a list.  I'm compiling a list based on the factory video from Jimi.  I also talked with Dave at Cobra in Ontario CA yesterday and asked him to provide a list of the presser feet they can supply.  Obviously buying from a USA based Co is the simplest.  Having a Japanese made OEM machine in the stable is certainly something to consider as well.  I recently purchased a Seiko 50mm cylinder arm sewing machine direct from Seiko and it is a beautifully made piece of equipment.  It replaces a similar clone machine that I never could get to work very well.  Dont know if it was just me or the fact that it was not cloned well...and that is my point.  When you"re having troubles, and you suspect there may be design issues or workmanship issues with your clone, its more difficult to trouble shoot in my opinion.  Basically it comes down to this...You pay for what you get.

 

Silverd

[jimi]

Here is the Fratelli Alberti web page which also has machines and feet etc.....They are the makers of FAV machines which i understand are very well made also.

http://www.fratellialberti.com/lang2/index.html

[Arturomex]

3 hours ago, Silverd said:

Agree the other companies carry good machines but how many of them support with 19 unique presser feet?  

My understanding is that those Nippy feet would fit any comparable machine. If you'd be kind enough to share what Nippy has available, it'd be appreciated.

Wiser people here have advised to get a machine with vacuum. I balked at the price for that and opted not to. If I was doing it again, I'd go for the vacuum.

Regards,

Arturo

Edited August 6, 2020 by Arturomex

[Silverd]

3 hours ago, Arturomex said:

My understanding is that those Nippy feet would fit any comparable machine. If you'd be kind enough to share what Nippy has available, it'd be appreciated.

Wiser people here have advised to get a machine with vacuum. I balked at the price for that and opted not to. If I was doing it again, I'd go for the vacuum.

Regards,

Arturo

The Video above that Jimi posted demonstrates what Nippy can provide as I understand it.  The quote for a NP-S1 machine included three of the feet in the video.  I don't have pricing from them as of yet for additional feet since I have not submitted my RFQ with them.  I'll share once I receive.  Interestingly; I did see a photo of a Consew skiver ( something -4 model) on Craigs list a while back that included at least 15 different presser feet seller was including.  So a full range of feet are apparently available from somebody...  

I've heard that running  a vacuum is helpful as well but I cant identify which machine models will accept a vac.   Also: I have often read that a vac is only needed for production runs but I'm skeptical of anything I here at this point.  Most people can't / don't articulate effectively about technical topics.   

Why do you suggest a vacuum system is helpful?

Silverd

http://www.nippy.jp/  Link to the Nippy site