Eyelets are metal rings in the holes of the side bar. They are small and cheap, and omitting them costs more than it saves.

What they do

Tensioned wire is under constant pull. Without an eyelet it slowly cuts into the timber.

The result:

• The tension is lost
• The comb goes wavy
• It tears during extraction
• Retensioning is impossible without drilling new holes

The eyelet spreads the pressure over a larger area and holds the tension for years.

Fitting

• The hole must fit; too loose and the eyelet moves
• Press home with an eyelet punch so it seats firmly
• On the inner face of the side bar, where the wire runs
• Fit all eyelets in one session; far faster than piecemeal

Material

Stainless or galvanised metal. Rusting eyelets discolour the wax and weaken over time.

When they matter most

• With soft timber, which tears through quickly
• With frames that will be extracted
• With frames intended to last years

Frames for short-term use can do without — but that is the exception.

Checking on reuse

When refurbishing old frames, check whether the eyelets are still seated and whether the wire has slackened.

Rusty or slack wire is replaced: the cheapest part of the frame and the most expensive to leave in place.

Stock

Always keep spare eyelets and spare wire. Without eyelets the wiring stops — and that is winter work that cannot be left undone.