How to use (and fix) a manual leather skiving machine

If you don't have the capacity to justify (or like me can't afford) a bell skiver you can get away with this little machine. It works best with a fresh cutting blade. This is the Tandy Pro Leather Skiver. A clone of the Schmedt Scharffix machine. It did NOT come ready to use out-of-the box. I had to make a few tweaks to get it to work smoothly. In this leathercraft video, I give a quick demonstration and a tutorial of how I got it running properly.
Forward to the 15 minute mark to see me tighten up the angle linkage.

[allenwaters]

I actually just received my $65 reproduction of this machine, and right off the bat I noticed the same issue with the excess play. Thank you for sharing your fix, I'll be tinkering around with mine over the next few days and will need to make some of these adjustments. Many, many thanks for not only this video, but your others as well. I don't always comment, but I do watch, learn, and like.

[ttoth]

That’s a great tip with the magnet when dealing with small parts. I’ve lost dozens of small screws, pins, springs, etc. Thank you!

[SteveB]

Thank you! This thing sat on my shelf for about a year because I got so frustrated with it. Followed your steps, and it works perfect now!

[RKLeather]

This was a great video, and a great fix to an issue that many people would send the skiver back for! Thanks for making this informational video!

[keelanandrews]

Thank you for the video! I've had this machine for over 8 years and finally figured out the brass plate that holds the razor was backwards... check the angle of your brass razor holder... something so simple can make all the difference!

[IamTreken]

Thanks for making this video! This fixed my skiving machine so it cuts properly. All your tips were great!

[anmariegibbs]

Absolutely fabulous and clear video - especially explaining the set-up problem and fixes. Especially love the tip with using the magnet for the small pieces! Genius!!

[SleepWithCJ]

OMG I looked for this video over a year ago and I couldn't find anything about how to use this skiving machine. This nailed it. Even the folks at Tandy, who are usually very knowledgeable, didn't have good tips for me. I will share this video with them. Key moments for me... 1. How to skive that part you hold on to when pulling through. 2. The magnet trick for small parts is a gem that I'll use forever! 3. Tightening up the machine 4. What those other included rollers are for - again, even the folks at Tandy didn't know that! This machine had been put away for months, now it's coming out and going to be used regularly. Thank you for sharing.

[GriffMJ]

I have had the Sharf-Fix since 2007... still going strong and an excellent tool.

[tughilldog]

This demonstration and diagnostic video was fantastic. Your camera shots on the modifications is excellent and I really appreciate your efforts here. I have been contemplating a purchase of one of these clones...now I don't think it will be a waste of $

[patriciaingraldi]

What a great video. The camera focus was fantastic and the fixes were genius. Thank you so much

[freddiemoretti]

This has to rank as one of my favourites on YouTube.
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers...Freddie

[billieb]

Excellent vid showing the mods with things us normal folks have around and can do. The aluminum foil trick is priceless.

[no-page]

Thanks for the informative video. I had been eyeing one of these for quite a while. As they are designed for bookbinding and other lightweight leathers, I wondered how they would work on vegtan. Thanks so much for taking the time to show us how to tune one of these machines up, and letting us know that the Tandy "Pro" moniker doesn't mean that it matches the original's German quality

[yournway]

I have just got myself one of them chinese copies and it has all of the ailments that you have described.
Looking forward to apply your excellent instructions to make it functional.
Thanks for sharing.

[DustyCookETX]

Thanks for the video of this little machine. I purchased one about 6 months ago and have yet to mess with it, this will be a huge help when I break it out of the box! I really enjoy all of your videos and your attention to detail!

[valeriebeaudoin]

I just bought a cheapo version off amazon currently awaiting its arrival but wanted to say thank you as I'm sure I will be using these techniques!!!

[geraldclavenna]

I bought one after I watched this video the 1st time haven't set it up yet but looking forward 2 using it thanks 4 sharing

[N_Jones]

perfect, just what I was looking for!!... bought this a few days ago, and figured someone must have already fixed these issues.
Thanks!

[marcystark]

Thank you so much for sharing your information. The fix to tighten it is just what I needed to see.