How to Use the Eyelet Setting Machine

How to Use the Eyelet Setting Machine

Eyelets are used in the same way that grommets are; in fact they're pretty much the exact same thing. Eyelets do have washers at least those at Farthingales do.

There are two possible machines to choose from; the "hand press" and the "twist", Technically these are "tools" rather than machines as they require man (woman) power.

Both machines come with the same selection of dies; eyelet setting die and hole punch die.

The Hand Press (w eyelet setting dies) The Twist (w. hole punch dies)

 

The dies consist of:

An "Adaptor"; this is used to hold top dies in place

 

Eyelet setting dies for size 00 eyelets, the smaller dies screws into the "Adaptor

 

Hole punch and anvil, creates 4.5mm hole, the black piece screws into the "Adaptor".

Colours of the dies and anvil may vary.

You need to find a good solid table to mount the Eyelet setter to.

There are holes in the base that enable it to be bolted to a table.

 

The photo shows the Eyelet Hand Press clamped to a table using a "C" clamp. If you need to buy a "C" clamp be sure to have measured the depth of your table and the base of the machine so that you get one that is big enough. The can be found a "dollar" type stores. The Twist Eyelet Setter also needs to be secured to a table.

You'll likely need to create holes first. NEVER use the hole punch near pins or if a lacing bone is in the fabric!Doing so will destroy the die.

1. Loosen the "key"/"butterfly bolt" at the side of the base and drop the "anvil" into the hole in the base and tighten the butterfly bolt.

The "anvil" may not be gold as in the photo

2. Loosen the butterfly bolt at the top of the machine, slide the "adaptor" up into the machine and tightend the butterfly.

The photo below shows the "adaptor" in place

NOTE: the "adaptor" is not needed for the "Twist" model.

3. Screw the hole punch die in to the adaptor or into the the top of the "twist" model (where no adaptor is needed).

4. Mark holes where you want them on the wrong side of your garment (that way if you make a mistake it won't show, unless of course you punch the hole before you notice).

I've used a lacing bone to mark the hole placement.

NEVER have the lacing bone within the fabric when you punch holes - it will destroy the hole punch.

5. Line the fabric up so that when the hole punch comes down it cuts a hole where you have marked

Punch all the needed holes. There are 6 layers of coutil in the photo

6. Remove the hole punch die (unscrew it from the "adaptor or Twist modle) and anvil (loosen the butterfly bolt and lift it out), clean the hole punch die out - the die will cut better if it is cleaned regularly.

Using a pin, punch the fabric circles within the die up, they will tumble out the hole. Do this over a garbage can!

7. Drop the bottom eyelet setting die into the bottom, tighten the butterfly bolt.

 

8. Screw the top eyelet setting die into the "adaptor" or into the top of the "Twist" model.

 

9. Place an eyelet on the BOTTOM die, this means the "right side" of the fabric will face the table. The eyelet in the photo is black.

10. Place your fabric (Right side facing the table, wrong side facing up) with the eyelet poking through the hole. Place a washer on top of the eyelet as pictured. Slowly apply pressure to the handle, once the die is directly over the washer and you're sure the fabric did not slip. Apply stronger pressure - do not jam the handle down! If using the "Twist" model you'll twist the the handle, again - do not jerk it.

Check the set of the washer and if needed re-set (this process may take a bit of practice).

Continue setting all of the eyelets.

Using washers it crucial when setting grommets or eyelets for corset making. They help to anchor the grommet or eyelet and minimize the risk that the eyelet or grommet will pull out of the fabric. The washers sold by Farthingales are aluminum which means they don't corrode when exposed to perspiration! Nickle and brass can corrode. Farthingales also sells black, white and silver aluminum eyelets and long shank eyelets in brass or nickle.

Photo shows black aluminum eyelets and aluminum washers.

 

 To ORDER the Eyelet