RB Productions riveting tool

Another option is a piece of wood glued to a base block.  A portion of the upright block has a gap cut into it so you can slip a piece of plastic under the end.  A hole is drilled vertically through the upright block the diameter of a used ball point pen ink tube.  A sheet of styrene (thin sheet) is placed under the pen at the right spot and just a slight tap with a modeler's hammer will emboss a rivet.  In order to keep the pen above the base a bit, a hole is drilled through the tube up near the top of the support block and a piece of brass wire will hold it up but flex enough to let it descend when tapped.  You have to do the spacing yourself though.  You can draw on a line, and make marks at regular intervals with a pencil and rule.

Thanks Don. That's a lot like the Northwest Short Line riveting tool model railroaders use on brass sheet. I'm looking for something I can use to replace/restore lines of rivets after filling and sanding.

Thanks,

Tom

Its a very nice tool. I've used it on a dozen or more builds, and I like the effect. It comes with different spaced wheels that work for most scales and applications. It leaves a nice round mark. There is a learning curve to figure out how much pressure to apply so the rivets show up enough, but too much pressure distorts them some. It does take some time to change out wheels, and you have to have a separate exacto handle to chuck it in if you use it alot. Its really easy to use and to make straight lines. I mark a line with a pencil and follow it. An alternative would be Trumpeters rivet tool. It has a plastic handle and can quickly change out wheels. It comes with 4 wheel sizes, and they leave nice, clean round marks. Its down side is its sort of clunky, and the handle at the base is big, making it hard to see where you are going as you rivet. It is priced fairly cheap though. The other rivet tools out there are really expensive.

Thanks for the information. I'm glad to hear that it leaves a round mark rather than just a little divot in the plastic. I think I'll give it a try.

Tom

I have pics of a few models I used it on if you're interested.

Nathan,

Yes, I'd very much like to see them.

Thanks,

Tom

All I/48:

They can be nice and subtle under paint once you figure out how hard to press down on the tool. 

Yes sir, that's some nice work on those rivets Nathan.  Well done dude!  I believe that would be a handy tool to have.

Gary

Very, very nice. Thanks for posting the pictures. I'm sold, will order one tonight.

Thanks again,

Tom

Thanks Tex ans Tom. And good luck with the tool.

umm-usa.com sells a Rosie the Rivieter model RVT 07(.55mm wheel) for 1/72, 1/48 scale combined for $16.00, using the wheel made by RB Productions. Check it out-John V. has quick one day turnaround service and is usually well stocked.

Are you sure the Rosie tool uses Radu Brinzan's wheels? Cost wise the RB tool is more bang for your buck, you get 4 wheels for 15 US dollars. Are the wheels on the Rosie changeable? Or do you need a seperate tool for each size still?

Good questions:

Reading from the instructions on the back of the package(in English/Czech so sometimes the syntax is mirky, it says that for most of the sizes, "they use RB Production wheels, as no other are made as well". Separate tools for each size, although several tools handle two sizes. Fixed wheels, NOT interchangeable.

Ok, got it, thanks.