Crop-a-dile tutorial

What is the crop-a-dile? In this post we explain you everything you need to know about this eyelet setting tool by We R memory keepers.

What is the Crop-A-Dile?

Do you know what the crop-a-dile is? If you’re already a scrapbooking expert, these are not news for you. Most probably than not the crop-a-dile is already part of your essential working tools set.

However, if you’re a beginner, you might be confused about this kind of weird term. Don’t you worry! We’re here to solve all your doubts regarding We R Memory Keepers’ most famous tool.

Well, put in a simply way and to sum up the whole post, we can define the crop-a-dile as a hole-punching and metallic eyelet setting tool.

It punches through virtually every material: paper, leather, faux-leather, acetate, cork sheets, binding cardboard…

This tool is ideal for any kind of project, even to customise your bindings and scrapbooking projects. You just have to let your imagination run wild and this tool will do the rest. It’s easy to handle and little force is needed. Use it to place your eyelets (no matter from what brand), small or large, tacks and embellishments. It’s also perfect for EVA foam projects.

How does it work?

On this picture you can see all the parts and functions of this pincer-shaped tool.

It punches holes in two sizes: 0,48 cm (0.19”) and 0,3 cm (0.12”) and it includes two depth guides to determine the distance to the border of the paper on which punching is being made, and a central zone to set the eyelets or snaps (always exerting thee exact pressure).

Instructions for use of the Cro-A-Dile:

1. Grab your crop-a-dile and determine the desired hole size. There are two sizes available: 0,48 cm (8/16") and 0,3 cm (1/8"). This is the standard eyelet size, so it should be suitable for almost any brand. You can also measure the distance between the eyelet and the end of the sheet, with a maximum of 2,5 cm (0.98”). You can see it on the depth guide that appears on both sides of the crop-a-dile. This guide allows you to easily align series of eyelets or accessories with the same distance. This function is particularly useful for your binding projects, in which you need that all your holes are equally distant to the edge of the paper. Make sure that TOP and BASE black cubes are locked and secured before moving on. Insert material in the appropriate slot, and punch by compressing the handles.
2. Select your snap, eyelet or metal embellishment. Select the correct top and base combination as shown in the picture. Determine the correct top and base combination (see combination chart below) for the type of metal embellishment selected and rotate them to the correct position.

Most common combinations for the crop-a-dile:

A 1: 3/16" eyelet setter (0,48 cm)

C 3: 1/8" eyelet setter (0,32 cm)

A 2: 3/16" eyelet and snap flare (0,48 cm)

1. Place the eyelet on the hole using the correct position (the TOP side must coincide with the upper part of the eyelet, whereas the BASE part must coincide with the inferior part of the eyelet) and press the pincers.

Note: The back side of your snap or eyelet may be bent, curled or look smashed which is totally normal.

Utilities

This eyelet setting tool is, as we have already mentioned, multimaterial. It perforates easily even through hard materials such as acetate. It’s also very effective when setting your eyelets or embellishments on thin metallic surfaces.

We’ve tried it on different materials, and it has proved to be so easily to use in all of them. You’ll love the result!

There are several versions available of the crop-a-dile. You can distinguish them by their colour: pink, green, turquoise…

At this moment, the most basic model is the Turquoise Crop-a-dile. This is the version 2.0, with a more comfortable and ergonomic handle for applying pressure more easily.

If it is your desire to get started by using lots of basic eyelets and you want a protective case to keep your crop-a-dile safe, you can by the Pink crop-a-dile, which includes a case and 100 eyelets.

If, on the contrary, you work on larger scrapbooking projects, what you need is the Crop-a-dile II Big Bite. Its functioning is exactly the same, but thanks to its size you can punch and set your eyelets farther from the edge of the paper. With it you can set your accessories anywhere in a standard scrapbooking paper (30,5 x 30,5 cm = 12 x 12”).

If you have any questions regarding this amazing tool or its operation, don’t hesitate and leave a comment!