Hello everyone! I recently bought an Osborne 84 Splitter. Since I have started leathercraft, I always saw this model in books and it was clear to me that I want this one day.
Now I thought it was time to buy one and found it for a good price at H Webber and Sons compared to other sources for about 550Pounds (in comparison to over 800Pounds or over 900€ at other sources). And the shipping to Germany is only about 9 Pounds.
H Webber is really helpfull, answered quickly and seems to be very professional. I ordered a few scissors as well and the Osborne scratch compass.
Yesterday I got the parcel and was VERY excited!!! I read something like 'all tools are tested in the factory' and unwrapped it. I was so disappointed!!! It is so badly made!
Besides the very bad bubbled laquer, the machine is not precise. When the blade is attached, it is higher on one side than the other and it seems that there is a slight bow. When I have a piece of leather that just fits tight on one side of the blade moving it towards to the middle it gets stuck and on the other side it is loose. Where the blade sits on, these areas are very unprecise and just meet the base and screw on just a few points instead of an area to be very secured in place. Another problem is, that the holes on the blade for the screws are so wide apart, that when you tighten the screw its almost impossible that the blade is not moved by the screws. The spring that holds against the handle doesnt fit and scratches at the side of the frame instead.
I contacted H Webber and asked for a refund and they said based on the pictures that this splitter should have never left the factory of Osborne. They were very nice and professional, they also offered a replacement of a splitter that they inspect this time. First I was like 'nomore Osborne' but now I think I will test the replacement and see if there is a big difference. Because I once signed for that Paypal service to get payed worldwide return shipping costs I have nothing to lose...
So here are a few pictures...
For those owning an Osborne splitter: what do you think about your splitter? would you buy it again?
it is collecting dust at the moment, wondering whether to sell it, or take it to bits and see if putting it back together helps. maybe even just have a weekend splitting lots of scrap leather, see if i get better with it.
wish i had bought a bell skiving machine instead, as they are not much more here in the UK.
anyway, like you say, they seem to fetch very strong money the ones i have seen for sale on ebay.
That is weird! It should work always the same! I was hoping to use that splitter for belts like splitting thinner pieces for raised belt. And for Gussets of small bags or simple card holders. Strap ends I do by hand like you, I just opted for the 84 because I thought it might be better to have a wider blade.
I guess you can sell your splitter without much loss because most people think it costs about 900€ at least here in Germany.
When I dont like the replacement of the 84 I will buy a Chinese one, the 'premium' or 'deluxe' model that Tandy sells but is available from Aliexpress with a much better price (hope the blade will be the same). The blade is wider than 6Inch.
Another option is waiting for an old German one, time to time you find old splitters that seem to be very good with a 25mm blade with a good construction.
i own an osborne 84, i have had it a year, and like yourself bought it from H webber. i have been pretty much underwhelmed with it, and have never really got on with it. sometimes it splits leather fine, i go back the next day, same leather and different result. as to using it to skive down strap ends etc, i usually do it by hand with a skiving knife as i seem to get more consistent results. maybe i just need more practice?
as you say, H Webber were great
I don't own an Osborne but a a mate of mine has three of them and he has had to work on all of them to get them to operate correctly. None of them would split leather evenly without modifications but you can get them working well if you spend the time to set them up. The problem is you shouldn't have to but there are not a lot of options out there, its either Osborne or a cheap Chinese made one and for my money I think the Osborne is a ridiculous price. That's the main reason I made my own. There are no plans available that I know of, I built mine from some pictures. This is probably not really much help I'm afraid, hopefully the company you got it from can help you sort it out.
Let me know if you would like some pics of mine.