Is Atlas-Levy Skiver a good bet?

[UsrnmNtFnd]

Hey everyone,

Been saving my pennies and I'm finally ready to get a bell skiver. I found a deal on an Atlas-Levy AT-801 that looks pretty clean. The seller says he got it a couple years back. The price is mighty tempting.

I've seen some atlas levy swing reviews and other chatter that seems to be all over the place. Some people say they're great. Others say it's a can of worms. Before I take the plunge, I wanted to ask if any of you have experience with their skivers specifically. Is it a reliable machine or should I keep looking? Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[SleekStitch]

I've had my hands on a similar Atlas-Levy skiver, and honestly, it's been pretty solid once you get everything dialed in just right. The build is pretty straightforward, but it really gets the job done especially if you keep that blade sharp and your setup is on point. At that price, it's definitely tempting! Just make sure you snag one that comes with extra blades, feet, and a sharpener. Have you checked what all is included in the deal?

 

[Neuro901]

Why not ask the seller for a short demo or test piece, so you can judge the skiver's condition and performance firsthand before committing to what might be a hit-or-miss deal?

 

[UsrnmNtFnd]

@SleekStitch
Appreciate the rundown. I'll doublecheck with the seller about extras like blades and feet since I'd rather not be chasing parts after the fact. Did yours come with a sharpener or did you have to track one down?

@Neuro901
I'll ask if he's willing to run a quick test or let me bring a scrap piece. No better way to separate the wheat from the chaff than seeing it in action. Have you ever run into issues with alignment or feed on these 801-style machines?

 

[muffinman]

I've had my hands on a similar Atlas-Levy skiver, and honestly, it's been pretty solid once you get everything dialed in just right. The build is pretty straightforward, but it really gets the job done especially if you keep that blade sharp and your setup is on point. At that price, it's definitely tempting! Just make sure you snag one that comes with extra blades, feet, and a sharpener. Have you checked what all is included in the deal?

yeah, the price is only tempting if you factor in the accessories. A big hidden cost with skivers is replacing the blades and getting the right feet.
A new bell blade can run you $40-$50. If this deal includes a few extra blades, a sharpening stone, and different presser feet, you're getting a much better value.
Make sure you ask specifically about that, as well as the condition of the grinding stone

 

[reii20]

It's a decent starter if the price is right and it checks out okay. Just keep some cash aside for fixes, and maybe think about getting something better later on.

 

[UsrnmNtFnd]

Thanks to both of you for sharing your thoughts on my earlier post about the Atlas-Levy skiver. I noticed that your advice matched what I heard in the first reply, especially regarding the inclusion of the cost of blades, feet, and a sharpener. I wanted to give a quick update. I reached out to the seller for a demo, as suggested, but didn't get a response. So, I've decided to wait and keep saving for a machine from someone who can show it works well.

 

[Dr4gonfruit]

@SleekStitch
Appreciate the rundown. I'll doublecheck with the seller about extras like blades and feet since I'd rather not be chasing parts after the fact. Did yours come with a sharpener or did you have to track one down?

@Neuro901
I'll ask if he's willing to run a quick test or let me bring a scrap piece. No better way to separate the wheat from the chaff than seeing it in action. Have you ever run into issues with alignment or feed on these 801-style machines?

I think a demo or test is a must when you buy things like this. here's a few things you need to check during demo. first, test the auto grinding feature. It should smoothly sharpen the blade.
then, look at the edge of the bell knife. Does it have any nicks or chips? A replacement bell knife can be expensive, so a clean blade is a big plus.
also don't forget to listen to the motor. It should run smoothly without any weird grinding or squealing

 

[UsrnmNtFnd]

The seller of the original machine wasn't able to provide a test run, so I've resumed my search. I'll keep your advice in mind for the next one I review.