I am building a model of an electric locomotive in wood. The model I have chosen, has lots and lots of rivets. Does anyone know of a surefire way to reproduce rivets that are uniform in size and accurately aligned. The scale is 1:8 by the way. I’ve used small escution pins in the past, but it is very hard to keep them spaced and aligned, plus it is very time intensive. I was thinking of an embossing technique on thin brass or card stock that could be applied to the model.
P.S. The model is the same as my avitar.
To emboss rivets on thin sheet stock, you have a number of options.
A NSWL Riveter, or specialised rivet press.
A pounce wheel.
A hand punch and die.
A scriber or large needle and a soft backing sheet.
All have their pros and cons. It’s a big subject, and this is just a quick, off-the-cuff response!
You could use the pounce wheel to accurately mark out your rivet landings, and then use the escutcheon pin method. That’s what I’d do for a 1/8th scale model. It might be slow, but it would yield the best looking result.
Cheers,
Mark.
The escutcheon pin method seems to be the best looking, but I’m talking about thousands of rivets. It’s not easy to line them up and drive them with a repeated accuracy. It seems that some sort of mechanical indexing device is needed? By a pounce wheel, are you referring to a device that is used by a seamstress? I looked at one and it wouldn’t do the job. Thanks Mark from down under.
Scotty, Thanks for the links. I found them to be pretty much what I need. I have a lathe, milling machine, drill press, etc, so making an accurate indexing jig shouldn’t present any problems.