Eyelet Press

colu41

colu41

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Messages
1,598
So I've decided to go ahead and look for an eyelet press for my kydex projects and possibly some copper & brass lanyards. So I found this one. Yes its cheap, but I figured it would help.

MODS please delete if this link isn't allowed. Just need some help.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/11197486351...49&var=410914585300&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Will this and the included dies, work with the standard 8-6 & 8-8 1/4" eyelets? The seller messaged back and apologized for not knowing the machine very well... :rolleyes:
 
The #8 series grommets are 1/4". The listing says #0,2,4. I would take that info to indicate that it does not have a die set for #8, and may not be able to handle that level of pressure. Perhaps standard dies will fit it .... and perhaps they won't. One set of standard dies for kydex rivets costs about the same as that press, so who knows how strong the press is. In some tools, you get what you pay for. This looks like one of those tools.


Some folks use a HF arbor press and drill a hole in the ram and foot plate to make seats to receive the standard kydex rivet dies.
 
I've been using a flare punch (that I ground from a 3/8" bolt) to start them and then tapping them down for more than ten years now-never felt the need for a press, so that's an option if cost is currently an issue
 
I use the knife kits flaring dies, they are perfect for the job.

I mount the dies in my mini mill to press, you could also use a drill press
 
I have a 2 ton HF arbor press and did as Stacy described. The holes fit both my knife kit flaring dies as well as my flaring dies for flared lanyard tubes. I use my arbor press on nearly every knife in some way or another.
 
AVigil said:
I use the knife kits flaring dies, they are perfect for the job.

I mount the dies in my mini mill to press, you could also use a drill press
Click to expand...

Hm. I have a mini mill. You do the kydex eyelets and flare tubing with it?
 
I haven't worked with kydex but I use a hand press daily as a leather worker. I would not buy the machine in the link. C.S. Osborne makes a high quality hand press that's made in the USA, New Jersey to be exact. I've used cheap presses and you get a cheap or unfinished looking product from them. That being said I do like the idea of rigging your own dies and press like Avigil suggested. Ingenuity is always the way!
 
I have the dies from USA Knifemaker, and I just use my drill press for the pressing.
 
I think I'm going to go with the dies from KnifeKits and try them out on my mill. I have the 1/4" Hand setter tool & anvil but, the eyelets dont sit in the anvil right. So getting them even on both sides is nearly impossible. Hopefully these dies press out a nice clean eyelet. Thanks guys. Thats why I came here. :o Steer me away from the Chinese products.
 
I only set grommets into book board but the Stimpson 405 should last me the rest of my life.
It's solid and can take my whole weight on the handle when I'm clearly pushing it past it's intended use.
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colu41 said:
Hm. I have a mini mill. You do the kydex eyelets and flare tubing with it?
Click to expand...

Yep,

I just mount one in a collet and the other into a block of aluminum with a hole it in. Line them up and lock the vise for precise alignment every time
 
AVigil said:
Yep,

I just mount one in a collet and the other into a block of aluminum with a hole it in. Line them up and lock the vise for precise alignment every time
Click to expand...

Sounds simple enough. Thanks avigil
 
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