Cropadile 2 Big Bite

Reported By Julia Stainton

A popular theme on the scrapbooking market is manufacturers always trying to come up with great new eyelet setting tools. The wild success of the Crop-a-dile from We R Memory Keepers has prompted a new release from this company, the Crop-a-dile 2 Big Bite. Released just a few months ago for the CHA Anaheim 2008 show, this product looked exciting and able to take on all the limitations that the Crop-a-dile faced. The original Crop-a-dile is a fabulous tool and well loved by many including myself. It's main limitation was the size of its "bite". You could only punch and set just over one inch from the edge of your project or layer... hence the name of this latest offering...The Big Bite. As a huge fan of the Crop-a-dile, I just had to order this new tool and give it a try.

The Crop-a-dile Big Bite is a very large punch and eyelet setter. Sturdy and heavy, it can punch through almost anything you could wish to punch and with ease. Chipboard, fabric, leather, layers of cardstock, tin and thin metal all punch well with this tool. The increased size of the "bite" allows you to now punch and set over 6" from the edge...a huge improvement over the first model. This makes it a very handy tool to have for scrapbookers who tend to design in 12x12 layouts. Like the original model, this tool will set eyelets and snaps in two different sizes... 1/8" and 3/16". We R Memory Keepers has a great variety of designer and unique eyelets to give you lots of options with this setter. I especially love their Jewelled Snaps and the embossed sentiment ones as well. They can really add a special touch to your project. Also available for purchase separately is a great storage case for your Big Bite. It comes with a matching orange case, and a selection of metal grommets...a new feature for use with the Crop-a-dile.

When I first opened my new Big Bite...I did have a few difficulties getting it to work. First of all, the punching mechanisms did not line up with the holes that they should slide into. Apparently this seems to be an alignment problem that can happen with shipping. It does take some strength to slightly adjust the bite of the Big Bite so that they do line up but I was glad to find that it is a problem that is fairly easily solved. I also found, like the original Crop-a-dile, this product does have a bit of a learning curve to it. The pivoting setting bits are almost identical to the previous version. I discovered that you do need to use more pressure than the original Crop-a-dile to set your eyelets and brads. With this added pressure, I found myself crushing my first few eyelet setting attempts. If you purchase this product, I'd suggest practicing on scrap paper first until you get the hang of it.




When repeatedly punching holes with the Big Bite in a pattern, it is a little difficult to line up with precision. The original Crop-a-dile has a separate punch mechanism that makes it easy to see down the barrel to line up your punching. This new design requires you to really try to see from the side edge exactly where the punch will hit the paper. That being said...it is still possible as you can see in the above photo where I stamped a backgrounder stamp and then embellished the design with eyelets.



A detail I needed to adjust to in this new model is the sliding bar on the top of the unit. You slide this to use either the setter or the punch. It is very easy to use but I did have to keep reminding myself to move it each time. During a few uses, I almost forgot and punched a new hole in my project instead of setting my eyelet.





The feature I did find easier to use was the new orange plastic sliding ruler in the bite of the Big Bite. When punching with the original, if you wanted a constant depth of holes from the edge, you needed to set a metal sliding piece and screw it into place. I often found it difficult to screw as the metal piece would slip on me. The new orange plastic measuring strip is very easy to use and the slider bar clicks along and stays where you wish it to be. One thing to keep in mind when using this tool is to use the correct one of the three measuring bars. Depending on whether you are punching with the 3/16 or 1/8" holes or setting your eyelets, verify that you are measuring the correct scale. Always check the setting with every use!



I was hoping to find extra details about this product on the We R Memory Keepers web-site. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated with this new product yet. When the original Crop-a-dile came out, there was a great on-line tutorial to help customers. I would love to have a helpful tip sheet to go with the Big Bite as well. If you need help remembering the correct combinations to use with each type of eyelet, the original Crop-a-dile on-line tip sheet can help you with that.

(layout sketch from www.pagemaps.com)

Pros:

• Very sturdy, quality tool that will last for years
• I love the easy to use measuring feature on the "bite" that allows you to punch up to 6". This allows you to set anywhere you wish on a 12x12 scrapbook layout
• This tool is fabulous for punching and setting those hard to punch products
• no parts to lose....love this! ;)
• Easy to punch holes and set eyelets for people with wrist and hand problems...you do need more pressure to set the holes than the original though
• Quiet
• will set a large variety of sizes and styles of eyelets and snaps

Cons:

• Some users may find the different settings confusing to use. Making sure the bits are at the correct setting was a challenge on the original and is the same design here.
• This design is not as easy to line up for precision punching as the original design. I had difficulty lining up the punch mechanism as this design makes it more difficult to see the area. It is also easier to make a mistake with punching settings on this design.
• Heavy and not very portable
• Practice is needed to find the correct pressure to use with this tool. Too heavy results in squashed eyelets.

Where to Purchase:

• Local Scrapbooking Store
• Scrappin Great Deals
• Creative Express
• Croppin Paradise

Cost: varies approximately 29.99 - 39.99 US/ 39.99CDN

Ease of Use: 6 out of 10

I'm enjoying this new version of the Crop-a-dile now that I've had some time to get used to the new format. Perhaps I am just a creature of habit, but I won't be getting rid of my original any time soon. For a quick eyelet though, the original is easiest for me to work with. I do love the reach of this newer model and the flexibility it gives me. I also love the durability and the ability to work quietly while small children are sleeping. And so, while the Big Bite won't be replacing my original Crop-a-dile, the new Big Bite along with its brother, will have a permanent place on my shelf. If you have this tool, how do you feel about it? Let us know by leaving a comment!