im currently making some Mullet River model kits. The brass frames come etched to emboss the rivet detail. I'd love to add this detail - but I'm unsure how to do so without shelling out $200 for a nwsl sensi press and riveting attachment
Does anyone have any alternative methods?
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When I made my steel open deck girder bridge, I used a masonry nail to punch the rivet detail in the panels. I used an awl to scribe fine lines where I wanted the rivets. I didn't put as many as were on the prototype, as this is labor intensive, and I also didn't put the detail on the inside of the panels, as the bridge is part of a shelf layout, and is really not visible. The panels were double wide material folded over.
Don
I can't show you a picture, but if you are interested you can see my rivet work on MTJ. I use a Harbor Freight $50 drill press, a hardened punch, and a female die with very sharp edges to catch each preceding rivet so spacing is exact.
You can see the machine and a line drawing along with results in my 0-6-0 series in OGR in the early 1990s.
As I recall there was a chap by the name of "Gizmo" who posted an article in 'the other O gauge magazine'. He had a nifty plan for making your own rivet press. I followed his plan, made my own, works dandy! I doubt there's more than $10 of material in the whole thing....even less if your workshop is filled with scrap this-and-that like mine was....is....always will be.
Update: I just found an archive of authors/articles for O Scale magazine... The author was John Gizzi. The article was from issue #45, page 38. You can download the pdf file for that issue/article by going to the O Scale website.
KD
Sounds great - anyone have any more detail on this diy press?
Im thinking of heading to Home Depot now to grab some nails and maybe a tool such as a belt hole maker to see if I can make my own
Has anyone ever converted and used a reloading press to use with train stuff?? I have a nice one in the basement that I don't use any more and seems a shame to waste it.
Slideshow of the NWSL Sensi press and the riveting attachment. Mullet River caboose kit(s). Click on the underlined phrase.
Check my updated post above for a DIY approach.
KD
That's great! Thanks!
In the meantime I picked up an Awl from Home Depot- it works pretty well as long as I am consistent and careful in my pressure. A good solution for $4!
Archer rivet decals
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