Crop-a-dile :: Hole punch & Eyelet Setter

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The Crop-a-dile :: By We R Memory Keepers

















Melissa Norris Reporting
Melissa's Blog

I think what makes this tool so great is that the 2 different sized hole punches (1/8 and 3/16) on the side will punch through just about anything (but use good judgment of course). The punch is very deep so it cuts easily and cleanly. It really reminds me of the drill punch that we used at the copy center I used to work at. The top part is used for setting eyelets, snaps, etc.

I haven't ever tried the other ways of setting eyelets, but after seeing the complicated tool kits available I want to try them either. I've never seen any product make a job so simple. If you like putting eyelets or snaps on your projects, or just like clean holes for ribbons, brads, etc. I definitely think the Crop-A-Dile is for you.

The crop-a-dile cuts through very thick chipboards, plastics and even tin. On the sides where the punches are, there is an adjustable stop so that you can mark the depths you want so everything is even.

Unfortunately, with any product there are also disadvantages. I saw a recent post in the SCS forums about it. Basically, the main complaint is how wide the handle is, much larger than a regular hole punch. If you have tiny hands it's very hard to use. My hands aren't tiny, I'd say they were pretty average, and I don't have a huge issue using it. However, I can definitely see that if you were punching a lot of something thick, like chipboard, your hand could start to hurt after awhile.

There were also posts about how it does not have a very deep reach, it looks to me to be around an inch. Here again I haven't had a big issue with that because most of the stuff I punch tends to be on the edge, or on a layer. But again I can see how this could present a problem. Also, there are concerns about how top heavy it is. I don't think this is a big issue once you start using the product. And, as I told my husband, it could definitely cause some damage if someone broke into our house!

This is the perfect tool for embellishing your work. Right now it comes in this great pink color but at CHA they introduced a new green one that comes with a case and 400 eyelets. But don't worry if you already have the pink one...they are going to sell just the case for us! If you are like me; you don't do a ton of embellishing and you don't want to buy a scary looking set of eyelet setting tools then I think this is the tool for you. I believe it to be reasonably priced. After Froogle-ing it, the cheapest price I found was $18.99 but I know I bought mine at Michael's with my 40% off coupon or Jo-Ann's often offers 50% of coupons. Basically, you can end up getting it for a very reasonable price and I think it is absolutely worth it!


Sarah Moore :: Adding Her 2 Cents
Sarah's Blog

I really love my crop-a-dile. I totally get how if you has small hands or if you were physically compromised in some way you would have some difficulty using this product... it is large and unwieldy. BUT I have not seen anything that punches holes like this baby. I actually punched through the entire thickness of a People Magazine with it... and it went like butter!

I will also agree... if you need to punch holes or set eyelets in the middle of your cards or pages then this will not be your tool... look to a traditional LOUD eyelet setter for that. And as far as eyelets go; it isn't necessarily the best tool on the planet for setting eyelets in regular 'ole paper, but it was awesome setting eyelets on a tin pail or through 8 thicknesses on a paperbag album.

You really need to read the back of the package for the specifics and settings; in fact I was using it backwards for a while. Many users complain of their eyelets getting squished or splitting too. I find that this does happen if I squeeze to hard when setting. Just practice and play with it before you take it to your projects.

My tests showed it would punch neatly through 13 sheets of Stampin' Up! Colored Card Stock or 18 sheets of Whisper White. I also successfully punched through A galvanized tin bucket and a tin memo board form the Target $1 Spot (see below). I have really liked using the Crop-a-dile for making Chipboard Coaster Boxes and Paperbag albums.

I should also mention I have seriously injured myself with my crop-a-dile. You should know that my motor skills are somewhat limited; and I am like Lucy when I stamp... but I pinched my finger somehow inside the eyelet setting part while I was punching holes and the injury required ice and elevation for a bit. I still have a bruise and it still hurts over one week later. Be careful and pay attention when you use this tool!


















I used the Crop-a-dile to punch three holes and add eyelets to the edge of this Target $1 spot magnetic picture frame.

That's me by the way; age 5... everyone say "Aw!"



















The Crop-a-dile made easy work of this project. I don't know of any other tool that would allow me to reach inside a bucket like this. Plus the "depth stopper" was a great feature to have with lining up this row of holes.


Summary

Positives:
Punches through very thick surfaces, silent eyelet setter, multiple project uses, reaches inside narrow spaces like buckets and boxes, sets eyelets through thick papers or on various surfaces like metal, adjustable "stop" to ensure equal depth of punches, portable and comes in cute colors, embosses dots in paper, affordable, can also be used as a weapon.

Negatives:
Limited reach, large and heavy, may be hard for some people to use, not the best eyelet setter on paper, can also be used as a weapon.

Fun Crop-a-dile Links
We R Memory Keepers Project Ideas
How to use your new Crop-a-dile (pdf)
Use your Crop-a-dile to emboss!
Ellen Hutson shows us close up pics on her Blog; Simple Dreams

Video showing the Crop-a-dile in action at CH
Courtesy of Scrapbiz.com



Crop-a-dile News!
We R Memory Keepers announced at Winter CHA 2007 that they were coming out with a super cute Crop-a-dile that's in a case filled with eyelets... and it's Lime Green! But don't worry; if you already have a pink crop-a-dile they will be selling the eyelet filled case EMPTY, just for us! Take a look!


Crop-a-dile Carnival Participants! Thanks ladies!

Leanne in Australia :: Colour Your Memories used her Crop-a-dile to turn Chipboard circles and ovals into BUTTONS!

Lynn :: Stamperosity reviewed the Crop-a-dile just for us!

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