HOW TO MAKE SCALE RIVETS — A fast technique using this easy to use kit.
RIVETERPRO MAKES IT EASY!
Cal-Grafx RiveterPro is a whole answer for including scale rivet element to your mannequin plane.
It appears that there are all the time just a few fashions that stand out at any occasion, even informal fly-ins, as a result of they differ from the remainder. Most of the time, the explanations are the identical, the builder has paid that little additional consideration to element that adjustments the mannequin’s stature from what is perhaps thought-about by some to be a “toy” airplane to 1 that seems to be lifelike, however smaller. One of the issues modelers do to reinforce the realism of their fashions is so as to add panel traces and simulated hatches, one other is so as to add lots of, generally 1000’s, of simulated rivets. I’ve addressed the rivet making factor earlier than, within the pages of this very journal, however that methodology concerned a Dremel software, a brass tube and a gradual hand. Other strategies of making use of rivets embrace soldering irons with particular suggestions, hypo applicators, toothpicks, combs dipped in glue and so forth. All of those strategies have one frequent denominator: time. You may spend hours laying out pointers and putting marks for uniform rivet spacing. Most say that making use of rivets is a job that’s not seemed ahead to — particularly on bigger fashions. The one I’ll describe right here entails far much less endurance and no likelihood of messing up!
ENTER RIVETERPRO
Lay down masking tape or draw a line in pencil to point the place the row of rivets will probably be utilized. You can then lay down the masking strip.
Apply the particular rivet fluid, one small drop over every gap within the masking strip. Use simply sufficient fluid to cowl the outlet — extra is just not higher!
With these modelers in thoughts, I examined a product from Cal-Grafx Hobby Art known as “RiveterPro.” By the way in which, Cal-Grafx (cal-grafx.com) is not any stranger to the size modeling market, as they’ve been producing customized graphics, amongst different issues, for a few years. Their system gives a simple method to making use of real looking domed-shape rivets with out the muss and fuss, and it saves time over a number of the alternate strategies beforehand talked about. RiveterPro gives a twist on the standard glue-dot methodology for making use of rivets. What makes the system simple to make use of is the masking strips that assure uniform rivet measurement and ideal spacing each time. The low-tack adhesive strips can be found in three rivet sizes, with evenly spaced, die-cut, holes for putting the rivets down. These sizes ought to cowl nearly all of scale fashions sometimes constructed, however Cal-Grafx additionally gives rivet sizes on a customized foundation if wanted.
I began by laying out the place I wished rows of rivets with a protracted ruler and a pointy pencil. Pencil traces are simply coated up while you paint so there isn’t a cause to erase them. Alternately, you would lay down strips of low-tack masking tape. The pencil traces on the mannequin’s floor set up the trail of the rivets. The masking strips are versatile and can be utilized for straight or curved traces on any a part of the airplane. I merely peeled the backing off a strip and pressed it down, following my pencil (or tape) line. The low-tack adhesive won’t harm a correctly primed or painted floor.
With a bit forethought, you possibly can resolve which traces of rivets go down first and which you’ll revisit after the primary rows of rivet drops have dried. Once the particular tapes are in place, I used the Rivet Applicator to use a small dab of product over every gap within the strip. I discovered that this course of progressed far sooner than I assumed it will — a superb factor! I may lay down a foot of rivets in lower than a minute at first and much more shortly after I acquired the dangle of the method. You don’t should be exact, however the instructions do say, “don’t get sloppy, just apply enough to cover the hole.” This is geared toward conserving the rivet fluid, so you possibly can stretch the contents and get probably the most out of the bottle. The instructions say to attend about two minutes to let the liquid rivet “skin over.”
If there have been one space that I needed to pay shut consideration to it will be the elimination of the adhesive strips. The thought is to get completely fashioned rivets, with out little “tails”! The advisable process is to know the top of the strip and pull each again and up, conserving the strip in rigidity, and about 30° – 40° to the floor. I did as advisable, and seen as I pulled up the strip, I used to be confronted with completely fashioned rivets. Almost magic. The strips can be utilized only one time so discard them after pulling them off. The white rivet fluid dries clear and arduous in about 20 minutes. I did some taking part in round and located that it’ll bond properly to virtually any floor, together with most plastics and foam. Since the rivet materials is water-soluble till about cured, if you could take away a rivet, do it whereas it’s moist with a moistened swab (included within the package). The fluid is principally a non-toxic answer that cleans up with water.
FINISHING THOUGHTS
Wait two to a few minutes and gently take away the masking strip by pulling steadily and slowly at a few 30- to 40-degree angle from the floor.
Voila! Perfect, uniform rivets. Allow to dry for half-hour earlier than any severe dealing with.
After utilizing the system, I really feel it’s perfect for anybody who has by no means achieved rivets earlier than. It gives a bulletproof strategy to get the job achieved with little fuss and no mess. The rivets it produces are real looking and uniform and settle for any paint model you possibly can consider. Cal-Grafx gives a Sample Kit that features 3 toes of three completely different measurement rivet masks and 2-ounce Rivet Applicator for $39.95. A 2-ounce bottle of Rivet Applicator by itself is $29.95, and the masking strips begin at $9.90 for 10 toes. So go forward and provides it a attempt. Add some realism to your subsequent venture, the straightforward means!