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Wonder if I can just cut out or I guess stamp out my own little rubber washers out of an old bike tire I've got laying here. cus i do not have any rubber washers or least idk where they are, my tools and workspace is in complete disarray after our, small yet tons of cleanup,house fire, and at this time stores are closed. I'm trying to finish this job tonight for securing our canopy we are using to store our house items while painting and restoring inside of house. My only issue with the canopy we have is the walls don't stay down w the wind we have and they flap up exposing everything inside to rain. Yes I know a storage unit would be much easier, but this is what we decided to do at spur of moment. So im adding gromets along bottom to be able to stake it down. The washers sound like a good idea and I want to incorporate that but lacking those washers...ima try this with the rubber I've got.
Mind you, stitching it into a pair of tubes bracketing the grommet will go a lot farther to ensure the material doesn't pull too much and loosen that grommet's grip...so if you plan for heavy use, stitch it!
If you put a little lubricant on your setting tool it will set much easier and tighter. I use a water base lube meant for reloading as it washes off easy. Works with eyelets as it prevents splitting.
If you’re in the field and don’t have a grommet setting kit with you, you can still stabilize the hole if you have needle and thread (dental floss), and use a blanket stitch around the hole. I’d set 6 to 8 stitches evenly spaced, then run the tread around the hole through those stitches several times on each side of the fabric to add some more strength. Then do a bunch more blanket stitches around the hole and over those threads. This is the way lacing holes are made for period correct clothing.
The problem with grommets is that when the hole is created, there's nothing securing the ends of the threads. This is what I do (not for field repair): I make two fabric washers. I Gorilla glued one fabric washer (layer) on each side of the tarp where the grommet is to be located. Glue as close to the hole as you can. Clamp and let the glue set/cure/dry. The glue secures the ends of the threads. Now cut the new hole through the three layers and set your grommet. That Gorilla glue is some strong stuff. It's just a different way to skin the cat.
You basically created 3 "textile washers" out of tent material. Question/suggestion: would it have been better if you had put a "textile washer" below the material, not only on top? TIA
Love these tool tip vids! One way to get some utility out of the extra material that you added to tighten the grommet is to form the material into a loop. When you're finished you will then have a loop to tie to or a grommeted hole to use at the other end of the loop. More useful than just a square "washer" of material. The best use for grommets that I've found is to install them on cheap tarps to give equally spaced tie offs. You can't find poly tarps that have holes spaced the same on all edges and it takes away from their utility in some cases. You'll end up with extra holes in the edge but that doesn't usually present a problem. Really dig your channel.
I have done dozens of grommets over the years on tent canvas and tarps. A nice tip on making them fit tightly. I keep coming because of the value you offer in your teaching. Thanks Dan.
Thank you!!! Making a cover for my mobility scooter and I'm repurposing an old air mattress for the cover and I needed to add grommets for a bungee cord. The extra layers actually are perfect in case the end of the hook pokes through. Very clear, concise and short video!
I use spur grommets at work and home uses. They have little teeth to bit the fabric/material better. Still a real good video. keep them coming. Thanks.
That is awesome i have seen some tarps that had that but most manufacturers do that . I had repair a tarp but sewing in a new section over the top but im really liking this idea
Really great tutorial, especially considering that more and more tarps, are coming without fixed/preset grommets, and are instead coming with grommet setting kits. Thanks for the video, stay safe out there and God bless!
QUESTION..... after setting the grommet with the extra material, would you then sew that material to the tarp (or whatever) for extra strength and to keep grommet from loosening with hard use? Seems reasonable to me, what are your thoughts.
Thanx man I was wondering about something like that I’m makeing some water proof tarps out of canvas painting drop cloths just for the nostalgia of it see how it works out 👍
One thing i do that always works for me is i make the hole slightly smaller than the grommet. You force the material over the grommet which sort of bunches up the material creating a tight fit. Both around the surface of the grommet, but also between the parts.There is no movement and the grommet lasts longer in my experience.
I watched your other video with putting the duct tape over the grommet and then cutting out the grommet hole. Could you use that same theory here maybe one extra layer of the material covered by duct tape and then put the Gromit in the middle.❤️🔥🇺🇸
Nice explanation. Any suggestions on how to do this if the tarp can't be laid flat. My tarp is on an outdoor shelter that is held by a bunch of ratchets attached to screws in ground so damaged section of grommet/tarp is hanging halfway to ground. and can't be pulled down further. Thank You
grommets lol one job i working at the moving company the make tarps the had and old rusted sewing machine outback made sure it worked moved lol when the manager and me when to look at it this time it was not moving lol he said get it out of here got it free yea use works trailer to bring it home too winter project lol did get hold of the manufacture of the sewing machine sent picture to them they said they could restore it like new lol we agreed on the price to send it down a couple of months i had a new machine did search and found material what i want to use for the tarps the tarps we got was not that great lol use them to cover up bales yea grommet i use to for the tarps sewen in wide truck straps for the grommet not to pull out the weather is the problem with the tarps now
I was thinking it's better to put a piece of material on eac side to prevent rips or the grommet outer diameter from cutting or ripping. Your thoughts?
