Crop-A-Dile Eyelet & Snap punch tool

Hello Everyone,
I started out with the mini hammer and the eyelet setter then moved on to the spring loaded Fiskars version and now I am at a loss. Last night I was using the spring loaded finger smasher as I know refer to it as I smashed my finger pretty bad and almost threw it right in the trash. So now I am considering the Crop-A-Dile. Can someone please give me some pros and cons on it. Does it really work the same for setting eyelets? Or should I buy another mini hammer? Thanks for your help.

I have never had the mini hammer. I brought the Crop-A-Dile at 40% off and so far I really like. I think it was worth my money, especially since I thought I would never buy one.

The Fiskars spring loaded eyelet setter is definitely more difficult then the Crop-a-Dile, but to be honest because the crop-a-dile is so hard to squeeze for my hands, I bought the BIG BITE and I love it.
Yes it is big but it stands on its own on the table and I just have to press one handle down.

I always pinched my chest or belly when using the crop-a-dile and my hands ached.
But it is a good tool if you have strong hands!
Or stronger than mine anyways! LOL It is a bit awkward but nothing that a girl cannot handle.

I am a Fiskars Trainer and I choose the Crop-a-dile and big bite over the spring loaded Fiskars tool any day!

Thank you both for your info. Now I am leaning towards the big bite.

Oh and I love mine to cut acrylic and CD's it punches holes nicely too! total bonus for me!

See, just when I thought I did not need the Big Bite.

Another vote for the Big Bite. I use it all the time, not only for eyelets/snaps, but for punching holes for brads or whatever.

Cindy

The Croc-a-dile Big Bite definitely. I bought mine with a m coupon. One of my best buys.

crop a dile is the BEST eyelet setter! I've tried MANY different kinds (worked in a LSS) & nothing comes close to being as easy or effective........and the hole punch is awesome!!!!!

Also with the Big Bite, you can reach everywhere on a page whereas with others, the reach is constrained. I love my Big Bite. My dh insisted I needed it and used a 40% off coupon from M's to purchase it.

Crop A Dile. One of the best tools ever.

yep, you need a big bite!

I vote BIG BITE! I never had an eyelet setter before but this is so easy.. and the hole punch is great too!

Oh my goodness, I think the there is no turning back now. I must get the Big Bite. Thank you all for your comments. It helped so much.

another vote for the big bite,,,,I think it's a bit more difficult to use than the regular crop o dile, but you can set eyelets or punch holes ANYWHERE on a 12x12 LO, so definately worth the small learning curve,,,,,,

I love my Provocraft Silent Setter and use it the most; due to the easy of operation and convenience of it. One easy push down and eyelets are perfect. I do have a cropadile and use it only to punch holes in thick things.

• smalltowngurrl Said:

I also vote for the Big Bite!!! I used it to put a hole in my belt because it was too big!!!lol I haven't used it for scrapbooking yet!!! lol I will at the CKC Valley Forge crops!!!! lol

I need help with my Big Bite, please!

I love it as a hole punch (but it's one expensive hole punch!) I can't get it to set eyelets well. I'm not sure which bottom or top to set it to. I realize this could be hard to explain (and I'm embarrassed that I'm having trouble with this as it seems everyone loves theirs!).

THANKS!

Check out the we r memory keepers site- the should have the instructions for it.

https://weronthenet.com/index.shtml

I also like the big bite! You can also use it for grommets! It's an Awesome tool!

• scraperfect Said:

I caved in and got one yesterday on sale. Don't feel bad, I read and understood the instructions, but it seems to mash the eylettes too much, almost pushing the backs through the front of the paper. Tried all different settings too. I feel like such a doof. Is it just me, or has anyone else had these issues?

I have been told that it's closing it too tight. Mine all do the same with me. Could be the type of eyelets too- some are "cheap" (at least that's what I've been told) and will pull apart too much. I don't know- I use it anyway and just don't put too much pressure on it and check as I go.

They are MM eylettes. It is a very slick tool, like it for everything else. I'm sure it will be fine once I get through learning not to crush eyeletts. I must learn to be more gentle and not mash stuff so hard.

I have the silent setter, too, but if I ever have a chance to try out the big bite, i will now!

Update:

So yesterday I went to Joanns and they both were on sale and I chickened out and bought the crop-a-dile. I am going to try it out for a while and if I am not happy I will exchange it. The big bite is HUGE and I have never set an eyelet in the middle so I am taking my chances. Thank you so much to everyone that helped with their imput it really gave me lots to think about. I hope to make something with it soon. Again many thanks!!

I just brought a Big Bite today. I like the idea of being about to put a hole and brad in different kinds of materials...Like then tin and chipboard.

• seaexplore Said:

It is true that all eyelets are not created equal. They are made with all different types of aluminum. My suggestion is go soft at first and if you need to do it again. It's a whole lot easier to go back and set it more than having to pull an eyelet out of your layout. I personally use the Making Memories eyelets and have always had really good luck with them. I use top C and base 3 with both my regular Crop-O-Dile and the Big Bite and regular sized eyelets.

I have to admit I still use my hammer and punch set more than my crop-a-dile. It nevers smashes my stuff and it can reach an where on a scrap page. The only time I use my crop-a-dile is to punch the holes in hard stuff. That being said, the big bite solves much of that issue, but as long as my hammer still works, I think I will keep using it.

That's very funny!!!! I haven't used my Big Bite yet for scrapbooking or cardmaking!!! I did use it for my belt to put a hole in it!!!! It cut that leather belt like butter!!!! I was so happy it worked!!!! Yay! And you can't tell if the hole came like that or if I put it in so I made two more holes!!!! I got hole happy!!
But eventually I will set an eyelet soon!!!!

I have used my Big Bite to put vent holes in my ds's shoes. Then I used bronze eyelets to make them look like grommets. The vent holes allowed my ds' feet to breathe and his shoes didn't smell so bad. They were the canvas ones like Keds.

I hardly ever use my crop o dile anymore. Unless I am setting eyelets for a card or need to pop a hole or two through chipboard.

I just use my paper piercer for brads and other holes.

I think you should really think about whether you REALLY need it (would you use it often?)
It's such a costly thing to end up only using occasionally.

• scrapnread Said:

Cool ideas!!
I used my Crop O Dile to punch new lace holes in a pair of sneakers that had broken fabric lace holders. It worked great!