Grommets Vs. Webbing

**Mountainfitter** · 04-02-2010, 21:25

Do you prefer grommets or webbing for tie-offs on your tarps?

If one over the other why?

**beep** · 04-02-2010, 21:34

Properly reinforced and stitched, the webbing tie offs will distribute any stress over a much larger area more uniformly. A grommet has less forgiving geometry.

**gargoyle** · 04-02-2010, 21:34

Webbing, hands down winner. All the fine cottage folks use webbing. Grommets do not hold well on thin sil.

**Mountainfitter** · 04-02-2010, 21:58

I prefer both and love grommets on my webbing tie outs. But a few months back I started using only grommets and love them. I added extra reinforcement to the tarp and used really nice sail makers grommets. $1.50 a piece. They are alot different then the cheap made in china pot metal rolled rim grommets that most of us are use to. Let me find a picture of one and post it to show the differnce...

**Mountainfitter** · 04-02-2010, 22:02

Standard Grommet

Rutgerson Super Grommet

WV · 04-02-2010, 22:56

I reinforce the tie-out point with a triangle of fabric and a square of webbing (e.g. 1.5" x 1.5 "), then burn a hole through the webbing with a soldering iron to make an instant grommet. There are probably stronger methods using webbing loops and/or commercial grommets, but none of these DIY grommets have failed yet.

**warbonnetguy** · 04-02-2010, 23:06

sewing will be stronger than a grommet. even than the sailmakers grommets simply because the the metal prongs are bigger than a stitch hole, and there's fewer of them to distribute the force over compared to sewing on a webbing pull tab. if you don't pitch your tarp real tight it would definately be ok, but not as strong.

if you wanted a grommet, the way to do it would be to sew a webbing tab or patch, and then put the grommet into that.

**Mountainfitter** · 04-02-2010, 23:49

I have been using these grommets for a few months now and always pitch my tarp super tight with no problems...I add extra reinforcement to the area where the grommet is going to be installed and use a little silicone in the grommet to help with the bonding.

The prongs are about the size of a 70 needle and since there is roughly 40 of them evenly spaced they distribute the load really well. Don't get me wrong webbing is really strong and I prefer it in some applications but I think people make a big deal over grommets not working when good ones installed properly are a non issue. Over bar-tacked webbing can easily rip a tarp in shreds so the key is proper installation... I was just looking for your opinions of what you like and why.

**sclittlefield** · 04-03-2010, 20:33

Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

sewing will be stronger than a grommet. even than the sailmakers grommets simply because the the metal prongs are bigger than a stitch hole, and there's fewer of them to distribute the force over compared to sewing on a webbing pull tab. if you don't pitch your tarp real tight it would definately be ok, but not as strong.

if you wanted a grommet, the way to do it would be to sew a webbing tab or patch, and then put the grommet into that.

What he said.

**Ramblinrev** · 04-04-2010, 08:15

I shy away from grommets altogether. I have seen too many distort in shape lweaving sharp edges sticking up to slice and dice a tarp. I see no value in them. YMMV