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I am asking for opinions here......what is your favorite tool for setting eyelets and brads? I am ready to invest but am hearing mixed reviews about the Big Cropadile. What should I buy? Thanks Ladies!
I have the larger one and I DON'T like it. Wish I had just bought the smaller one. I can see that if I did a lot of scrapbooking that the bigger one would come in handy - but I'm just a simple cardmaker!
I have the original one, and got the larger one too. I use both and will certainly hold on to both. But unless you do a lot of eylet setting more than an inch or so in from any edge (which is about the reach of the smaller one), then I would't bother with the Big Bite. I set quite a lot of mine further in, and was glad to get the BB as a present from DH to top-up his birthday present to me.
another shout out for the CAD. I have bad arthritis and this is the easiest on my hands although it does take some squeezing.
right now, although I would love to set things further in occasionally, I can't justify the expense of purchasing the big one. the Nesties and ScorPal have first dibs on my budget....
I only have the original CAD and love it! It is a bit of a reach for your hands but mine are big so it's no problem for me. Some of my customers that have used it did find it a bit unwieldy though. If grip or reach is a problem you could get the big bite since it can stand up on its own like a stapler.
As for setting eyelets in the center of a big page, I get around that problem by putting them in a layer which I can place wherever I want it.
Remember there is a learning curve like there is with most of our new toys, but the CAD has made my crafting so much easier. Whichever one you choose, I think you won't regret it.
Provo Craft Silent setter is Better vs Crop a dile for me. But both of those are hard on my tendonitis. I also have regular hammer setter but that is loud. So far I really dont care for any of them that much. Dont have a fav.
I have the fiskars thing that has a spring in the middle and you pull it up and let it go few times- it works okay but I am thinking of investing in the crop-o-dile because it seems so much more versitile...
I really love the crop-a-dile (and did not know that a larger version is available). I have small hands (wear a child's medium or large glove) but have no trouble grasping it. I love how versatile it is...not only does it do a fantastic, accurate, easy job of setting eyelets, it also has two hole punches on the sides with adjustable throat depths. We made 25 little "suitcases" out of Altoids tins and i punched two holes in each (right through the metal) to thread the handles through...with no difficulty at all. I used to set grommets in fabric with the old hammer and spool technique...the crop-a-dile is so much quieter and more accurate. And fun
I have both the CAD, which I purchased for a great price online at Costco and the Home Pro LR which I purchased at Bonnies Best. I like the Home Pro when I make several cards. I use my Matt Pack to place the hole if it's too far in for the CAD. I actually use several tools for placement which depends on the project. My mild carpal tunnel gets in the way some times when using the CAD.
__________________ ShariW
Trust in the Lord with all thine Heart-Prov.3:5a
I love my CAD! I bought it right before Christmas last year. I wouldn't set an eyelet w/o it. It is so easy to use. And, it's a great deal w/a 40% off coupon!!!
I have the Big Bite Crop-a-dile and I love it. I have the small one too. I have way too many toys. I do both cards and scrapping. That is how I justified both.
I'm a tool-a-holic. I bought the small Crop-a-dile and love it. However, when I saw there was a big one, I had to buy that too. Even as a cardmaker, I often found the small Crop-a-dile didn't reach far enough. I also have the pull spring type of setter, but since I got the big CAD these are never used. If I had to choose one, it would be the big CAD, but as I have both, I use both.
I have the big bite and don't like it. I have nerve damage in my right elbow and carpal tunnel problems, so I have a hard time squeezing it. I don't set a lot of eyelets, but thought I would if I had this. If anyone wants to trade me something of equal value, I'm game.
__________________
Powerful Women's Motto:
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says.. 'Oh sh*t....she's awake'
A friend of mine got me the regular Cropadile and I love it. I haven't used the newer big one becuse I've never needed an eyelet very far into a layer. Just in case I ever do need a punch or eyelet very far into a layer, i have a screw punch and an old fashioned eyelet setter.
Yes the crop a dial. It's so powerful and quiet, i have both but honestly I use the small one WAY more! You can emboss, bind books, set eyelets, punch through tin, wood, formica, chipboard, plastic...I love it. I have 2 tutorail on my blog if you want to see what it can do: http://thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.co...r-crop-a-dial/ http://thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.co...a-crop-a-dial/
Other than that the provocraft silent setter, the one in the zip up black case, is good, quiet and you can set eyelets anyware in your project but it is hard on the wrists.
For years I used a squeeze hand setter for eyelets on sewing projects and was disappointed the small craft eyelets would not fit. When I first found out about the crop-o-dile I was thrilled!! NO more pounding and scaring the fur off my kitty stampin buddy. Love mine. I have the standard one. didn't see the need for the long reach as I mostly do cards and if i really really need to I can always go back to the hammer set run kitty run lol
I must be dense. I just can't figure out my Crop-o-dile. I kept the back of the package that tells you what to use with what type of embellishment.
But none of the pictures look like what's on the tool to me. So I play trial and error every time on scrap paper and waste a lot of eyelets and snaps.
AND they still come out either not smooshed enough or smooched off center and the pieces of the back show through the hole.
I want to love it, but what in the world am I doing wrong??? I'm an engineer so I should be able to make this work. I can build bridges, but not set eyelets. :rolleyes:
I have long been convinced I need a CAD, esp. since I'm sure my neighbors don't enjoy when I set eyelets with a hammer at 1 a.m.!
BUTTTT...does anyone have a recommended source for CAD Big Bite--a sponsor of SCS, or a discounter? I would have to do it by mail order, being a military spouse overseas. Thanks in advance,
I have long been convinced I need a CAD, esp. since I'm sure my neighbors don't enjoy when I set eyelets with a hammer at 1 a.m.!
BUTTTT...does anyone have a recommended source for CAD Big Bite--a sponsor of SCS, or a discounter? I would have to do it by mail order, being a military spouse overseas. Thanks in advance,
Carol in Korea
Joanne's ships to APO and they very often have free shipping if you spend over $25.00. They also frequently have the CADs on sale.
LOVE the Crop-a-dile! I highly recommend it--you'll never go back to hammering or "silent setters" that aren't silent.
The Big Bite takes some getting used to--and yes, you want to be gentle and not press too hard. I love it because I can get a hole anywhere I need it to be! Just practice and you'll get it!
I must be dense. I just can't figure out my Crop-o-dile. I kept the back of the package that tells you what to use with what type of embellishment.
But none of the pictures look like what's on the tool to me. So I play trial and error every time on scrap paper and waste a lot of eyelets and snaps.
AND they still come out either not smooshed enough or smooched off center and the pieces of the back show through the hole.
I want to love it, but what in the world am I doing wrong??? I'm an engineer so I should be able to make this work. I can build bridges, but not set eyelets. :rolleyes:
I refer to the numbers and letters (they are hard to read on the black squares) rather than the pictures. For small eyelets I set the base at 3 and the top at C. For large eyelets I set the base at 1 and the top at A.
I haven't had a problem at all and I use many different brands of eyelets--Making Memories, American Crafts, the eyelets that came w/the CAD case, and 'pretty shaped' eyelets (brands?) that I've gotten on E-bay. I really love my CAD.
Did you buy it at a chain store or your LSS? If you got it at your LSS, why not ask them for a demo on it? That's how I originally bought mine--I was intimidated by it, but once they showed me how to use it, I was hooked!
lindsaymay thanks for the great ideas - I may have to go and buy a crop a dile!
I was taking the wire out of notebooks and recovering and stamping but this looks like a great idea. And for those grandma calendars it should be perfect.
__________________ Kyloe
The lesson from Charlie Brown: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Eyelet/Brad Setter
