Spur Grommet Thickness Recommendations

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Spur grommets are the go-to grommet for reinforcing holes in thicker fabrics like tarps, tents, covers and awnings. They are made from heavy metals such as brass, nickel and stainless steel, and the teeth or spurs of the female portion of the grommet dig into the fabric and fasten onto the male portion, creating a strong and secure grip that will keep the grommet from spinning around.

Because spur grommets are made for thicker, more heavy-duty fabrics, it can be tricky to know which grommet size will work best for your chosen fabric thickness. The information provided in this article will help you know the right grommet to use for your sewing needs. We recommend using spur grommets with no less than three layers of fabric to ensure proper reinforcement and strength of the grommet.

Spur Grommet Thickness Recommendations 3

The #0 size grommet has a hole diameter of 0.25" (1/4") before installation. It is best suited for a material thickness between 0.048" and 0.096". This is the equivalent of 3 to 4 layers of Sunbrella Marine Grade Fabric.

The next grommet size is the #1. It has a hole diameter of 0.313" (5/16") before installation. It is best suited for a material thickness between 0.048" and 0.144". This is equal to 3 to 6 layers of Sunbrella Marine Grade Fabric.

The #2 grommet is the next size up and has a hole diameter of 0.375" (3/8") before installation. It is best suited for a material thickness between 0.058" and 0.168". This is the equivalent of 3 to 7 layers of Sunbrella Marine Grade Fabric.

The #3 grommet has a hole diameter of 0.438" (7/16") before installation. It is best suited for a material thickness between 0.058" and 0.216". This is equal to 3 to 9 layers of Sunbrella Marine Grade Fabric.

The next grommet size is the #4, which has a hole diameter of 0.5" (1/2") before installation. It is best suited for a material thickness between 0.096" and 0.240". This is equal to 4 to 10 layers of Sunbrella Marine Grade Fabric.

The #5 grommet is the next size up and has a hole diameter of 0.625" (5/8") before installation. It is best suited for a material thickness between 0.096" and 0.264". This is the equivalent of 4 to 11 layers of Sunbrella Marine Grade Fabric.

Our final grommet size is a #2 long barrel. This size grommet has an extra-long length, which makes it ideal for your thickest fabric needs. The #2 long barrel has a hole diameter of 0.375" (3/8") before installation. It is best suited for a material thickness between 0.096" and 0.288". This is the equivalent of 4 to 12 layers of Sunbrella Marine Grade Fabric.

When installing your grommet, it is important to keep in mind that you can’t use common washer grommet tools to install a spur grommet. You must use the equivalent size spur die set to install your spur grommet, meaning a #1 die is needed for a #1 spur grommet.

Have you ever installed a spur grommet? What tips or advice would you recommend for anyone installing their first grommet?