HOW TO MAKE SCALE RIVETS — A quick method utilizing this simple to make use of package.

Cal-Grafx RiveterPro is an entire resolution for including scale rivet element to your mannequin plane.

Evidently there are at all times just a few fashions that stand out at any occasion, even informal fly-ins, as a result of they differ from the remainder. More often than not, the explanations are the identical, the builder has paid that little additional consideration to element that modifications the mannequin’s stature from what is perhaps thought-about by some to be a “toy” airplane to at least one that seems to be lifelike, however smaller. One of many issues modelers do to boost the realism of their fashions is so as to add panel strains and simulated hatches, one other is so as to add a whole bunch, typically 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 gentle hand. Different 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 widespread 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 includes far much less endurance and no probability of messing up!

ENTER RIVETERPRO

Lay down masking tape or draw a line in pencil to point the place the row of rivets shall be utilized. You’ll be able to 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 opening — extra just isn’t higher!

With these modelers in thoughts, I examined a product from Cal-Grafx Passion Artwork known as “RiveterPro.” By the best way, Cal-Grafx (cal-grafx.com) is not any stranger to the dimensions modeling market, as they’ve been producing customized graphics, amongst different issues, for a few years. Their system presents an easy method to making use of reasonable domed-shape rivets with out the muss and fuss, and it saves time over a few of the alternate strategies beforehand talked about. RiveterPro presents 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 the vast majority of scale fashions usually constructed, however Cal-Grafx additionally presents rivet sizes on a customized foundation if wanted.

I began by laying out the place I needed rows of rivets with a protracted ruler and a pointy pencil. Pencil strains are simply lined up once you paint so there isn’t any motive to erase them. Alternately, you can lay down strips of low-tack masking tape. The pencil strains 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 strains 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 of forethought, you may determine which strains of rivets go down first and which you’ll revisit after the primary rows of rivet drops have dried. As soon as 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 great factor! I may lay down a foot of rivets in lower than a minute at first and much more shortly after I received the dangle of the method. You don’t should be exact, however the instructions do say, “don’t get sloppy, simply apply sufficient to cowl the opening.” That is geared toward conserving the rivet fluid, so you may stretch the contents and get essentially the most out of the bottle. The instructions say to attend about two minutes to let the liquid rivet “pores and skin over.”

If there have been one space that I needed to pay shut consideration to it will be the removing of the adhesive strips. The concept is to get completely fashioned rivets, with out little “tails”! The really helpful process is to know the top of the strip and pull each again and up, protecting the strip in stress, and about 30° – 40° to the floor. I did as really helpful, and observed as I pulled up the strip, I used to be confronted with completely fashioned rivets. Virtually 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 nicely to virtually any floor, together with most plastics and foam. Because 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 mainly a non-toxic resolution 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 couple of 30- to 40-degree angle from the floor.

Voila! Excellent, uniform rivets. Permit 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 finished rivets earlier than. It presents a bulletproof technique to get the job finished with little fuss and no mess. The rivets it produces are reasonable and uniform and settle for any paint model you may consider. Cal-Grafx presents a Pattern Package that features 3 ft of three totally 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 ft. So go forward and provides it a attempt. Add some realism to your subsequent undertaking, the simple manner!