Fiskars Eyelet Setters, 3 Piece Set (12-31337097)

Oh my, where to begin? Well, first, these work perfectly to make holes in cardstock and paper, which is what I use them for. You know those times when you need to make a hole for a brad in the middle of a 5x7 card? Most hole punches don't reach far enough; other hole punches require a hammer. These have a built-in "hammer": there's a spring connecting the top and bottom sections; you position the punch, pull up the top section, let it go, and you get a resounding "THWACK!" and there it is: a perfectly placed hole right where you want it. Need to set an eyelet? No problem! Make a hole as above, insert the eyelet with the "business end" up, flip the Fiskars gizmo over, place the setter in the eyelet, pull up the top section, and let it go. Another satisfying "THWACK!" and your eyelet is set. It really is that easy. This set has the sizes you're likely to use the most. I use brads in all sizes, from mini to oversized, so I use the small and medium most often. Very nice set, very good price, too.

Full disclaimer: I am using this product as it was said to be intended on the packaging...to put eyelets in medium-weight paper. That being said, I have abused the monkey poop out of these for several weeks now and they have resisted breaking, running away screaming, and eating my paper into oblivion like rabid raccoons. Despite one of the steel springs on the smallest diametre setter having bent from user error (I yanked it back too hard and released on an angle--that's what she said), it still works perfectly. For a tool that punches consistent, clean holes into the very middle of a work surface, these do the trick and for markedly less than you're going to spend on a vice press or anything else more heavy duty. I would not recommend these for commercial use or that involving even the thinnest leather, but for what they advertise to punch, they do a darn good job. Make sure you line your work surface with another hard material you don't mind punch marks on, as the release will send the sharp cutters well into it!

Unless you have super power in your arms and hands, don't get these! I was so disappointed. I am an older person, so I don't have the strength in my hands for these strong springs. You have to pull hard before you release and it's not easy; I don't think it would be easy for anyone. Also, it's flexible and you have to hold it firmly in place while pulling it up to release. I was surprised it was so bad considering the company and price. It's just what I need, but ended up being useless for me.

Purchased to make some seating tags as wedding decorations! My only complaint is the tool is quite loud and has to be used on a solid surface. Other than than works perfectly!

I purchased the fiskar eyelet setters to set some 3/16” scrapbooking eyelets I had been given. (Note-I am uncertain as to the metal make-up of the eyelets which could have an impact the performance of the product.) This is my first time setting eyelets. Prior to use I watched a how-to video for this particular product on YouTube. I tested the product on a plastic folding table with a fiskar self-sealing cutting mat immediately under heavy weight scrapbooking paper. Punching a hole: It took 3-5 times of pulling the spring up and releasing it to completely cut through the paper. Setting the eyelet: After one pull the eyelet started to curl outward. After 3 pull and releases the eyelet would hold the papers together but still had not folded over enough - the metal edges still stuck out a little (instead of pointing back towards the paper) and felt rough to the touch. I could not get the eyelet metal to completely fold back against the paper no mater how many times I used the setting side of the tool. General info: Using the tool for hole punching or eyelet setting was very loud (louder than if just using a hammer with a setting tool.) I also did not like the spring action. A couple of times while using this tool the spring caught my skin (it wasn’t painful just uncomfortable). This set was priced great at approximately $12 but not worth the money since I could not get the eyelets to properly set and will need to purchase a different tool to complete the job properly. On the plus side, this tool allows for the setting of eyelets anywhere on your project (if you can actually get it to set.) Update- I used this again on a more rigid table and it worked much better. Lesson learned - you can’t use this on a folding table as it has too much give - you need a solid surface like a counter top or sturdy table to get it to work well. On a sturdy table I was able to make a hole with one pull and set the eyelet with two pulls.

It did not do a very good job on the eyelets i am using. Perhaps the eyelets I have are of a harder metal or higher quality. This product would perhaps work better for lighter eyelets and small crafting projects. I was using eyelets designed for kydex material. Perhaps better used for scrap booking or clothing materials. I ended up taking the setter apart and using a hammer with the hard setter end. Still didnt work very well.

Good

I was challenged to make 50 luminarias. A regular hole punch was not long enough to reach the center of each of the paper bags. When I discovered the Fiskar's eyelet punches, they were the answer to my problem. The came in three different sizes which added variety to my designs. They remained sharp throughout the long process and made the job so much faster and easier. Great product that I know I will find many more uses for.