So the issue after my idea of using a woodworker’s vice to set grommets… there is a whole new article on grommets in Issue#125.
In this article she mentions that nothing beats a “setting press” which costs at least $95 !!! Ack! :0
Just to let you know… that with my $25 check I got for the suggestion posted in Issue #125… I bought my own little vice from a hardware store, and had change left over. I tried it on a couple of grommets (which I used for lacing the back of a corset), and it worked great. Just put a couple of plastic baggies over it to protect your project from grease (which the moving parts need to work). 🙂
By the way: The grommet/eyelet pliers sold in sewing stores are a pain in the neck (or more accurately, HAND). I have also noticed that the one I got years ago is off kilter, so it never really meshes to well.
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Did you use a die to shape the grommet, or just squeeze them together? How does the center part curl out and down over the co-ordinating half?
By the way, I purchased 100 3/8 inside diameter grommets, only to find the dies were not available in stores locally. The quarter inch dies are everywhere, and the larger ones, (7/16 ths) are too. The pliers sold are worse than useless, Did not work at all.
I used the setting device and cradle (or anvil) that came with the grommets. You need the cradle and setting device to help curl the flange over the washer to hold it in.
I know about the unavailability of the setting bits with some grommets. I found 3/8" grommets at the hardware store when I could not find them at the fabric store... but there was no setting hardware. I went back to the fabric store, where I found a set of setting hardware that did work... but still no 3/8" grommets.
I was told later that there was a leather goods store in the suburb north of where I live that had more supplies. I've not been there, so I cannot comment.
I also noticed that some of the setting devices are long (for use with a mallet)... but sometimes I have found short ones. The long ones do not work well with my little vice... but I have access to hubby's workshop which has a very big vice (which was still cheaper than the grommet press in the article).
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