Phyllis McKay phyllis610@yahoo.com
A review of Eyelet Setters

CLICK IT
This is a very versatile unit. It does work beautifully and has the capacity to also do embossing, like dry embossing. You can buy add-on sets of embossing designs in various styles including an alphabet. The embossing part can be done on cardstock or thin metal sheets. When either embossing or setting an eyelet it takes me two hands to push down on it. It is the most costly of all the new setters. The eyelet setter has numerous ends with different size setters and hole cutters. The set comes with two containers of eyelets. The Click It must be done on a hard surface such as a counter top. It does not work on a craft table. The tables seem to give just enough that the setter doesn’t cut through or set the eyelet. The setter comes with eyelet hole cutters including a darling 2 hole one that may be used for either buttons or for lacing and different size setters. There is also a cleanout tool to get rid of all the “holes”. All this comes in a nice wood box with an acrylic slide lid and a cutting mat and instructions. This makes the sound or noise of a stapler. I find it easier to use while standing.

SILENCER
This doesn’t need as much pressure as the Click IT, just a strong wrist to turn the tool. This will only cut the holes for the eyelets and set them. Very basic and makes no noise at all. It is almost half the price of the CLICK IT but only cuts the holes and sets the eyelets. It comes in a zippered case with a cutting mat along with some eyelets to get you started. I find this one easier to use while standing also.

FISKAR EYELET SETTER
This is a new one out on the market that is WHACKY. It is spring loaded and cuts the holes and sets the eyelets with about 2 whacks each. I found it very easy to use while setting down. By whacking I don’t mean with a hammer. It is a spring with the hole cutter on one end and the setter on the other end. All you do is pull it apart and let it go WHACK. It is too much fun. This comes with 3 sizes and is reasonably priced. I easily did this one while sitting.

Of course there is the old hammer method and most of these are very comparable in usage and price. You do need a hard surface and a hammer and a cutting mat. Standing up is not necessary. As you can imagine it is noisy since you are hitting a metal hammer onto a metal cutter or metal setter.

These all work best if the tool itself is kept perpendicular to the work surface. My favorite is the Fiskar set.