eyelet/grommet setting machine

[Lady Toadflinger]

 For some time now I have been toying with the idea of buying an eyelet setting machine. (not a little hand held one) Does anyone have any advice about where to get a reasonably priced one that actually will work on corsets/bodices?  It seems to me that there was a thread on the other forums about this, but that doesn't help me now. Any advice would be welcome. Gramercy!

[Master James]

Here you go.

http://store.corsetmaking.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CMS&Category_Code=GST

Hope this helps.

[Taffy Saltwater]

I have the setter in Master Jame's link.  It is a real work horse and a joy to work with.  It's nice & quiet, punches the hole, then sets the grommet, in just a few ez steps.  I bought it from faire lady designs on eBay together w/some grommets.  She's got one for $65 + $12.?? shipping - its called a HomePro, I think.

[Lady Toadflinger]

Gramercy! I'll check it out.  I'm happy to hear that you have one, and that it works. I hate to spend the money on an unknown.

[Lorraine]

I have a homepro, it broke within several months of buying it. It's still usable, but the spring no longer works so I have to carefully place the fabric in and lower it by hand to make sure its in the right spot before pressing. I asked the girl in Farthingales last time I was there about it, she said she's heard several people complain about them breaking. I noticed in their store they had one of the big black cylindrical looking presses that normally run around $200-300.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

My sewing space does not allow for a good Grommet setter machine.

Which is why I take all Bodices, Doublets, and Corsets  to my local Shoe Repair. Mike has what I need, doesa grat job, and gives me a very good rate per grommet. I also send him customers for things I am unable to do.

[Kate XXXXXX]

And I love to stitch mine...  But you all knew I was going to say that anyway!   

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Kate is the undisputed "Eyelet  Making Queen" of the forums!!!

She makes the best looking eyelets I had ever seen made by a machine!!!

[bmgjarvis]

I use a home pro machine now that I can afford it. Previously, I used a hand punch and an anvil set (osborne set it yourself grommet kit number 235 -- not 231 the totally inferior one) and this is what I still carry to site.  Can be seen at http://www.csosborne.com/NOK235.HTM   

I think I purchased my kit at greenberg and hammer. atlanta thread and supply carried them too.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Kate is the undisputed "Eyelet  Making Queen" of the forums!!!

She makes the best looking eyelets I had ever seen made by a machine!!!

Thank you.  It's all down to the machine! 

And practice...  I shall get more soon - a whole Victorian corset's worth!  I'm longing to get back to the renaissance and complete a couple of UFO's and some more stitched eyelets in the proper places!

[HawkMom]

www.lordandhodges.com    Lord and Hodges in Connecticut, sells grommets and setters. 

[DesertRose]

I bought the Homepro and would never recommend it to anyone.  It stopped working correctly after about 4 bodices.  I am not exactly sure what is going on with it, but when I push down on the handle it sticks and stays there and I cant pry it apart.  It does this on the thicker stuff (bodice and corsets).  Works great on a single layer of cotton though.  DH says the spring isnt strong enough...  *shrugs*   I say stay away from it and try something else !!!

[Lorraine]

That's what happened to mine Rose, I had to keep forcing it open again with a screwdriver, eventually the spring just broke completely. I found this http://www.richardthethread.com/index.php?src=directory&view=shop_richard&srctype=display&refno=640&category=Corset%20Supplies&submenu=CorsetEssentials, which I'm pretty certain is the same grommet press that Farthingales uses for their corset classes at the store, I saw it bolted to a table in their classroom. Anyways, I'd assume that means it's rather sturdy, seeing as it has to hold up to all the students using it. I'll probably be getting it as soon as I get the funds. There was another corset making store that sold it online, but they were a tad more pricey.

[DesertRose]

Ooooh....  bookmarked that one.  Thank you   

[Jon Foster]

Thanks for all of the links. We are thinking about a more serious way of setting grommets.

Jon.