What size grommet to use for 4oz leather?

[OmegaBravo7]

Hey folks, I'm new to working with leather.  It's something I've always wanted to do and so I'm starting it as a hobby.  

How do I determine what size grommet to use in accordance to the leather thickness I'm working with?  The leather hide is 1/16" in thickness, I believe that's 4oz.  If I use 1/4" grommets will they fit nice and snug?  I don't want it to be where the neck under the flange is too high or too short.  

Purpose of the grommets are to secure the new leather seat cover nice and tight underneath a chair, pulled and tied together like a shoelace for example.  It's a commercial delivery van's driver seat and there is no wood underneath to staple the leather into.  It has thin metal bars going across and the existing seat's fabric is secured tight to these bars by using extension springs.

[fredk]

Most sail grommets will bash down nice and snug, if you hit the setter with enough force.

I would re-enforce the area where the grommets are to be placed by trebling its thickness at least. I think 1.2 mm is far too thin to take the strain

[OmegaBravo7]

Thanks fredk.  Can it be trebled by glueing 2 additional pieces on top of the area where the spur grommets will be installed?  Once the leather is tripled  7/16" spur grommets would be best?  They're the #2 rolled rim made by Stimpson

Edited October 7, 2018 by OmegaBravo7

[fredk]

1. I've no Idea what those spur grommets are. I only use 'sail eyelets'

http://www.leprevo.co.uk/photos/sail-eyelets.html

They have a ring washer which helps take the strain. Simple eyelets just flare out on the back side. If they are not set 100% and often if they are they can just pull out. With the sail eyelet the tube-ey bit that goes thru the material curves over the ring washer, its much harder to get one of these out. stem length;  1/16 x 3 = 3/16 inch = 4.75mm plus 2mm for crimping over = about 6.75mm or 1/4 inch may just do the job, the leather will squash down a bit. or 6.5 or 7mm stem lengths

2. I would put a strip of of leather on each side of the main piece.

3. I'd use pure brass eyelets. Steel ones rust too fast

Edited October 7, 2018 by fredk

[OmegaBravo7]

22 minutes ago, fredk said:

1. I've no Idea what those spur grommets are. I only use 'sail eyelets'

http://www.leprevo.co.uk/photos/sail-eyelets.html

They have a ring washer which helps take the strain. Simple eyelets just flare out on the back side. If they are not set 100% and often if they are they can just pull out. With the sail eyelet the tube-ey bit that goes thru the material curves over the ring washer, its much harder to get one of these out. stem length;  1/16 x 3 = 3/16 inch = 4.75mm plus 2mm for crimping over = about 6.75mm or 1/4 inch may just do the job, the leather will squash down a bit. or 6.5 or 7mm stem lengths

2. I would put a strip of of leather on each side of the main piece.

3. I'd use pure brass eyelets. Steel ones rust too fast

Much appreciated bud, thanks

[OmegaBravo7]

I went to a local leather store (Tandy's) and they sold me Tandy's contact cement when I asked for the Barge - I hope it works just as good.

As far as the sail grommets go, hey sold me 5/16" diameter grommets because these had 1/4" posts or height of neck (my leather being 3/16" where grommets will be inserted).

 

The problem I'm having is I can't find a leather hole puncher for 5/16" diameter.  Anyone have any ideas what I can use or what tool to look for?

 

Edit:  I prefer not to use the hallow hole punch.  I've read it can be a pain punching through 50+ holes through 3/16" thickness leather, and I would like to make the holes and insert the grommets while the leather is sitting on the chair in place.

Edited October 14, 2018 by OmegaBravo7