Table top splitter

Rick Lowe

Rick Lowe

Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
1,331
We're seeing that a small splitter could be of good use in the shop and wondered what thoughts you guys might have. We'd be pretty much just doing straps 1/4" to 1/2". I know the high praise for the Cobra machines, but just don't think we need one that big. Have read some tutorials and reviews on the Osbourne, but trust the brain power on this forum more.
 
Rick, I have had limited experience with pull through splitters, but what experience I've had has all been bad. They work about half the time successfully for lap skiving the buckle end of belts, but for wider or longer pieces I've had no good luck at all. I think the main problem is getting a good even pull. I wasted a ton of leather trying to get the pull through styles to work right and never did.

The flip side of the coin is the rotary splitters such as the Landis 30 crank splitter which is also rated at 6" (if you can find one). Expect to pay from $700 to as high as $1000 for a really good reconditioned example. I had one and enjoyed success for a few years before I sold it and replaced it with the Cobra 14 motorized splitter. I can recommend either of the rotary models. The 14 inch splitter has saved me quite a bit over time by being able to split the good top grain off of belly leather to use as lining material instead of going into the trash. The wider 14" blade offers greater versatility also. I rarely use the full width, but it's there IF I need it. Much more consistent and far less ruined/wasted leather.

Paul
 
Rick Lowe said:
We're seeing that a small splitter could be of good use in the shop and wondered what thoughts you guys might have. We'd be pretty much just doing straps 1/4" to 1/2". I know the high praise for the Cobra machines, but just don't think we need one that big. Have read some tutorials and reviews on the Osbourne, but trust the brain power on this forum more.
Click to expand...
I got the cobra 14 this fall really like it
 
Well, really expected just what you guys have said, just had to ask before biting the bullet and going for the Cobra. Sure appreciate the sage advice. Still laughing at "Yep we got one, sucks".
 
I'm going to add my thoughts. I have both the Osborne 84 and 86 (my grandfathers 84).
I am not a huge fan of the 84, it is not as friendly and leaves a lot to be desired after you have split your leather.
The 86 on the other hand is great, i love it (i might not love it as much if i had a cobra).
I do not worry about screwing up a piece of leather when i need a different weight. As with any other tool as i keep it sharp it has not let me down.
 
Rick,
I've been looking into the Cowboy 8116. It's very similar to the Landis that Paul mentioned. It's a hand crank unit. If you're splitting 6 inch width or less, this might be a good option for you.
 
The Cowboy 8116 hand crank piqued my interest so I broke out the Google Fu to check it out. It seems to be available from several sources (the distributor and the stocking dealers). On the web sites where it had a photo and some specs and the sales pitch, there was no pricing information or order information at all, but I'm sure a phone call could take care of that if you as a consumer had sufficient interest to jump through the hoops.

I was able to discern that the price on the 8116 is somewhere between $1500 and $1600 with freight undetermined whether it is free for not. Some sources did apparently have freight free. $1500 for a non motorized, and no dedicated table with foot pedal, is sufficiently close to the much larger, motorized and complete package of the Cobra 14 to cause serious consideration in favor of the 14 for the long term........at least that would be my personal view.

If you opt for the C14 head only with the hand crank (which I would never recommend) then the price differential is even closer and you are looking a 14" available vs about 5 1/2" which is all the 6" versions will handle. Either choice represents a long term decision because the machines will last damned near forever. (and if maintained they hold their value really well as seen in the used market)

Paul
 
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I bought the Tandy 4 inch on black Friday. Never used one before. Had trouble until I adjust the roller correctly under the blade. Now it seems to do a great job but pulling leather thru can be a bitch. I'm nervous about flying backwards across the shop if anything goes wrong. Lol.
Narrower pieces seem to be no problem.
 
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