I’ll probably post this over in ‘Tools and techniques’ as well, but I want to ask this crowd:
As I have been working on my Marder 1A2 (yes, yes, I’ll get an update soon!), the scratchbuilding I’ve done has required me to produce a few bolts and rivets. I don’t have a set of punches that are really small enough to do the job, so I am left to stretch sprue and try to shave off a small circle. It works, but…
So I am curious, what are some ways that you guys produce bolt heads, rivets, and other small, roundish items for you builds? Who uses punch sets and what kind? Should I break down and try to buy one…?
I have an old Historex punch set that works for me when the need arises. Small enough for my purposes. I’ll stock up from time-to-time and keep a fair supply of all round and hex sizes in small tins.
I have a punch and die set that works well. I have also used slices of streched hex rod and square rod, and also used model rail-road injection moulded nuts and rivets (grandt-line and tichy train group). Its good to have choices so that you can use the right technique at the right time.
Punches work well and have done the bolgna slice thing. I will admit the PE bolt heads are nice and I am using them now but will drive you nuts!!!. Every third one or so dissappears into the Twilight Zone when you use the tweezer [:O]
Rounds Complete!!
[dto:] Agreed Titchy train group injected molded bolts, rivets & nuts are a good product. They all have mounting rods that can be cut off or even used for tiny rivets if sliced thin.I use the tip of a new #11 hobby blade to handle them, much easier than trying to place a PE part in a tiny drop of CA glue.
You could build a home made punch & die set, for the 30$ one costs its better to buy one. Micro-Marks is on sale until September 12.
Shown is the second smallest size with two lead foil circles punched out. This was done by pressing down with a finger as the lead foil cut easy.