Grommet Tools

What Are Grommet Tools?

Grommets are installed with a setting die, and a rubber mallet or hammer lined up inside a hole cut in fabric. It works, but there is a margin of error and the risk of hammering your finger instead. Most people use this method for one or a few grommets.

You need a better and faster way to install them for a more significant number, such as a factory or office supply shop. Having the right tools speeds up that job and helps you set the grommets into exactly the right spot.

There are several different types of grommet tools, including pliers, heavy-duty hand presses for grommets, eyelets, rivets, and other embellishments, dies for each size of embellishment, or an Eyelet Punch Machine (to install larger grommets in the tops of curtains)

Grommet pliers are similar to other pliers and require applying pressure to ensure that the barrel and washer have meshed completely and the grommets are installed correctly. These are useful for the home hobbyist and those who only install a grommet occasionally, but you still have to cut the hole in the fabric. That’s fine for a few grommets on a regular piece of fabric or two if the fabric is of a natural weight. But if you’re adding them to canvas, tarp, leather, or other thick fabrics, you need bigger, heavier tools to do the job.

Using A Grommet Press

It’s not just installing the grommets—you have to cut holes in the fabric before installing them. Fortunately, at Goldstar Tools, we have the tool presses and machines that take care of the entire process in the blink of an eye. Hand grommet presses are heavy enough to stay in place, but also have holes in the sides so that they can be screwed down to a table. These machines are suitable for everyday use when you add grommets frequently.

Electric and pneumatic machines are what you need for your biggest jobs. When you have lots of grommets or other additions to the fabric, leather, purses, belts, or other projects, our selection of heavy-duty machines can install them quickly and easily at the touch of the foot pedal. You can complete multiple projects in a short time, whenever you want them. 

Dies

These are the metal bits used in the large grommet presses to insert the barrel into the ring and assemble them. Many can simultaneously cut the hole in your project, the exact size you need.

Each grommet requires an identically sized die for the machine to cut and install the hole. Our machines and dies will work on the grommets, eyelets, rivets, and other embellishments you buy from us, as well as from any other manufacturer, as long as you have the correct size die for them.    

Do you have a specialty type of eyelet or grommet, such as one with stones? Goldstar Tool can also design and create a bespoke specialty die that fits your press and installs grommets, eyelets, snaps, rivets, and rhinestones perfectly every time. We have over 1,500 types of dies available for our hand grommet presses, and they fit all of the machines we offer. 

How Grommet Tools Help Install Grommets?

Tools for installing grommets and eyelets make the installation faster and let you add grommets to your projects quicker and more accurately. Home sewers and crafters may find that our pliers suit their needs, but our commercial customers need something more. You wouldn’t want to install hundreds of grommets and eyelets by hand daily!

Anyone who likes the grommet-top curtains will appreciate the ability to make perfect holes for the curtain grommets every time. Our exclusive Adjustable Manual Curtain Eyelet Punch Machine cuts the exact hole you need with a simple turn of the handle and installs the curtain grommets perfectly, saving you time and finishing your curtains faster.

Heavy-Duty Grommet Tools

We make our tools long-lasting, dependable, and hard-working for years. From the hand press to the electric and pneumatic models, we have the tools to make installation quick and easy. Just put the washer on the bottom die, add the barrel to the top, put your item in place and touch the foot pedal. In a flash, your hole has been expertly cut, and the grommet is installed. 

Grommet Tools Features

Our machines are adjustable for different types of fabric and have safety features like handguards to protect users.

Using Tools For Grommets

You may be wondering how to use these tools for yourself. Full instructions are included for each tool and machine we offer, including some with scannable QR codes that give you printable instructions. 

The basics are simple: make the hole in your fabric where you need it, either by cutting with scissors or punching it with your press, using the same die you would install. Once the hole is done, put the washer on the bottom and the barrel in the top part of the die. Place your fabric back over the bottom part of the die. For manual machines, pull down the handle. Automatic machines need a tap on the foot pedal.

Many of our bigger electric machines can install the grommet and cut the hole simultaneously. Practice with your machine before using it on an actual project. Our machines can install:

  • Grommets
  • Eyelets
  • Snaps
  • Rivets
  • Metal studs
  • Rhinestones

Want to see one action before you buy? Our YouTube channel has over 200 videos, including several for grommet presses and tools and our exclusive pearl and stud press. Learn to install a grommet by hand, or watch a demo on our grommet tool products for eyelets, snaps, stones, and more. We have several how-to videos for our machines that demonstrate how they work and can help make grommet installation much faster. Our tools and machines are the best available, and we want to ensure you’re buying the right one for your needs.

Repairs: Spare Parts for Grommet Presses

One of the inevitable things about machines is that certain parts wear out, primarily if you use them frequently. Goldstar Tools also offers a wide array of spare parts for heavy-duty grommet presses, making replacement quick and easy. Our parts selection includes multiple sizes of dies, including custom-made dies. From the belts, foot pedals, and springs to the shank adapter and even filters for pneumatic machines, we’re ready to help get your grommet press or other machines back to working order fast. Call us with the model number and type. We’ll get the part you need and ship it to you quickly.

Buying Grommets and Grommet Tools at GoldStar Tool

Since 1990, we’ve offered the best grommet tools and other supplies to the LA Fashion District. Since 2011, we’ve also provided the best to home sewers and crafters nationwide on our website.

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What Are Sewing Scissors Used For?

Fabric-specific scissors and shears are used for one thing: cutting fabric.

They should cut smoothly and cleanly and feel comfortable when you use them. You should always use the appropriate type of scissors and shears for your fabric if you want them to last and you want your fabric to cut cleanly.

Using your sewing scissors to cut anything but fabric is a quick way to ruin a good, and possibly expensive, pair of scissors. Keep them sheathed or otherwise properly stored when not in use and always use a different pair of scissors for paper and other non-fabric cutting applications.

Choosing the Right Scissors for Your Fabric

Different types of scissors have specific functions, such as spring-mounted thread clippers, which are perfect for opening buttonholes and snipping off thread ends in everyday sewing. Dressmaker shears are designed to cut just about any type of fabric, from fine silks and cotton to the heaviest denim and leather.  Synthetics tend to shred a little with dressmaker shears and standard fabric scissors, so serrated-edged scissors are a much better choice. These Mundial shears have cushioned handles and micro-serrated stainless steel edges that ensure clean cuts without slipping.

What to Look for In A Pair of Scissors or Shears + -

Of course, you want to look for a good quality brand. At Goldstar Tool, we carry brands like Mundial, Wescott, Wiss, and our own Goldstar brand of scissors. Scissors can be expensive, but price isn’t always a good indicator of how good they are. Just because they are pricey does not automatically make them good. Stainless steel forged blades are strong, sharp, and will last a long time. When choosing a good pair of blades, you should ask yourself… Are they comfortable? If they don’t feel right when you’re cutting, they’re not right for you. A good pair of shears should be sharp and cut cleanly through your fabric from the start to the end. Of course, with use, they may need sharpening, which should restore them to a like-new condition. However, if they don’t cut well when they’re new, sharpening really won’t help, and it may be time to invest in a better pair. When you buy new shears or scissors, ask yourself… Is it the right type for your needs? Do you need a longer set of dressmaker shears, or would a pair of offset scissors work better? Will they cut thin fabrics as well as thicker fabrics, or do you need a separate pair for heavier materials? Remember that a good pair of scissors is an investment, so put some thought into your choice and be sure to take care of them. Repeatedly buying inexpensive scissors that you throw away can add up to a costly expense. 

Types of Shears + -

Dressmaker shears are the most important scissors to have. Heavier than traditional scissors, they’re designed to cut fabrics of all types and typically do so very well. These Mundial shears are engineered for right-handed or left-handed users, and come in 6”, 7” and 8” models (including left-handed 8”.) Our Goldstar brand 8-inch forged stainless steel shears cut the entire length of the blade, all the way to the tip. If you prefer pinking shears, we have two types from the GoldStar line. Our heavy-duty shears have classic metal handles, and the other has cushioned plastic handles. For the quilter, Mundial professional quilting scissors in either 5 ½,” 8 ½, or 9 ½” offer soft grip cushioned insert handles for comfort and extended use.  Do you enjoy applique work? Our Mundial applique scissors help you make quick work of trimming around appliques, as well as evenly trimming Are buttonholes your nemesis? Our exclusive buttonhole scissors have a screw that stops you from cutting through your carefully made buttonholes. Safer than regular scissors or a scalpel, the screw limits your cutting length, so you cut exactly the length you need.

Other Cutting Products + -

Keep your scissors handy with a leather belt/hip holster, animal print belt holster or a lanyard that hangs around your neck. These will keep your shears handy and always available. Rotary cutters are a great way to do precise, fast cuts with ease. Goldstar Tool’s rotary cutters make fast work of whatever you need to cut. We also carry the replacement blades for all of our rotary cutting tools. Straight paper cutting is fast and easy with Westcott Titanium Bonded Paper Trimmer. It trims up to ten sheets of paper quickly with a completely safe, no-touch covered blade assembly.

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Keeping Your Shears and Scissors in Tip Top Shape + -

The first thing you should NEVER do is cut anything but fabric with your scissors and shears intended for fabrics. The second is to never cut into a pin or needle since it will damage them permanently. When you’re finished using your shears, the best thing you can do is wipe the blades with a dry cloth to remove lint, threads, dust, and other small particles that can make them harder to use. Synthetic fibers can also dull the blades. Clean away the dry particles after every use. Keep your shears and scissors working smoothly with a small drop of quality sewing machine oil in the fulcrum or the pivot screw. Carefully open and close them a few times (point down) to distribute the oil, and wipe them, spreading some of the remnant oil over the blades. You want to oil your scissors and shears about once a month, more if you use them daily.  Of course, be careful not to drop them, or they could be damaged to the point of being unworkable.

Sharpening Your Shears and Scissors + -

When they just don’t cut like they used to, sharpening is a must to prevent damage to your fabrics. You may have heard that cutting through aluminum foil steel wool and/or sandpaper as a way to quickly sharpen your dulled scissors. Despite their popularity, we don’t recommend these methods. Think about it—if you shouldn’t use your sewing shears and scissors for paper and other things, or attempt to cut through a pin or needle, why would you use either of these to sharpen a blade? There are better ways to sharpen your shears at home or in your commercial shop. Need something small and efficient to keep around? These handy Scissors And Blade Sharpeners are economical, convenient, and sharpen on the fly. Our ExtremEdge V2 Knife and Shear Sharpener is a fast, easy way to sharpen non-serrated scissors and knives safely. The bottom section holds it in place for simple one-handed operation, and it’s sold for a reasonable price. If you have more than a few pairs of scissors, sending them out for sharpening can shut down operations. Our Wolff Industrial Twice as Sharp Scissor Sharpening System is an investment that will save you and your workers time and money, and keep your scissor arsenal sharp and cutting perfectly every time. Priced at under $500, you can sharpen your tools in-house whenever you need to. Plus, it comes with instructions so that anyone can learn to use it for fast on-demand sharpening.  Pinking shears, like our own soft-handled or heavy-duty shears, are best sharpened by a professional. There’s no reason to keep working with dull scissors and shears. Get one of our exclusive sharpening tools today.