People have had success with using white glue or aliphatic which seems to make it easier to get consistent blob sizes. And if you get one wrong you can simply wipe it away with a damp cloth and try again.

Colin

If the panels are flat, you can use litho plate and impress the rivets with a rivetting punch or just a slightly blunt scriber down onto a smooth hardwood or an Edding cutting mat. Then glue the panel on with an impact adhesive.

Failing that, you can use Archer's rivet decals which really to work very well. I've used them on slot car bodies and railway vehicles and the carrier film really doesn't show!

Martin

Its a shame, I would help but all my boats are constructed using flush rivets….

Ashley

Colin. You are so sharp! Ashley

Hi Dave,

There is a bit more on riveting methods in the latest section of my Spider J thread which might be of interest if you have not seen it already. **LINK**

Gareth

Hi Dave,

I have not had a problem with the styrene sheets curling up at the edges. My outer lines of rivets are 2-2.5 mm from the edge of the sheets. I make the indentations with the plate resting on a green cutting mat. After making the indentations I rub down the underside of the plate with some 80 grade abrasive paper to key it and also abrade along the edge of any plates that it overlaps. I also make sure the adhesive goes right up to the edge all the way round.

Are you using styrene sheets (eg Plasticard) or card as in thin cardboard?

Gareth