Riveting

Tools 'n' Tips Article by Chris Wilson in 2005

I am a self proclaimed "Obsesive Compulsive Rivet Counter".

I mostly use a pin in a vise. Make yourself an assortment of sizes by filing the tip off, creating different diameters.

To get the spacing I have printed a series of dots (periods......) and resized them in Photoshop to get different spacing. Cut a strip off and tape it next to your panel lines and punch away. I use a sharp point and a gentle touch here, just marking the plastic. Then remove the tape and redo the rivets with the appropriate larger size points. Also note the round access hatches with rivet marks, also created and sized in Photoshop.

I also use the homemade pounce wheels in the pic. These were made from old watch gears. I've made 3 so far with different spacing. I've found I can control it best by keeping my finger on the wheel and pressing, rather than holding it by the handle and just rolling it. Here too, I just mark the plastic, then return with the proper sized Pin point.

Round rivets were created using a sharpened hypodermic needle or sharped brass tubing and pressing hard, leaving an impression in the plastic.

The best tool I can recommend in a piece of scrap plastic or an old kit to practice on.

Chris Wilson

Photos and text © by Chris Wilson