Steel hull

[David Howe 6Participant @davidhowe6]

Im about to start a steam drifter build, I would appreciate any advice on creating an authentic look of a riveted steel hull, it a table top model, won’t be going in the water.

[David Howe 6Participant @davidhowe6]

Aged look with rivets

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Hi David,

Welcome to the Forum. Methods or representing plating with riveting rather depend on what scale you are building to so give us a bit more info please.

Colin

[Dave Cooper 6Participant @davecooper6]

Hello David

As it's a display model will it be to 'shipyard' or, 'in-service' finish ?

If it's in-service, and to a fairly large scale, I would be inclined to put a dribble of rust from the rivets, and to fittings below the waterline and some deck fittings – winches etc. I think Humbrol and Revell do 'rust finish' paints….

Try a little here and there to begin with as these things can be over-done.

Have fun,

Dave C

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi David,

Plating could be paper stuck on & sealed, I have had success with PVA glue applied with a cocktail stick, try a trial section and see how you go, for best spacing measure & draw the centres of your rivets in a straight line .

As Colin says it will depend on the scale.

Regards Ray

Edited By Ray Wood 2 on 25/01/2021 10:54:27

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Various people (not me) have used I think cartridge paper or plastic card and punched (rivets) in this from the back then applied the plates to the hull.

In theory you could dob PVA on with a cocktail stick to represent rivets.

Have to bear in mind how big the rivets would actually be at scale of course.

Ashley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

David tells me it is 1/48 scale so the suggestions above are all good.

Colin

[James Hill 5Participant @jameshill5]

There are model companies who do strips of rivet detail that can be used on steel bridges etc in the model railway world. I think they come on an adhesive backed strip. You might be able to adapt for your model. Try Google model rivet detail.

Jim.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

if you are going down the road of making your plating from heavy grade paper or thinner card……this tool is invaluable…i used it on my 1;48 scale trawlers and their plates and ran the tool on the inside of the paper plate which embosses a rivet head equally spaced and equal in size to the outside of the card.

used it many times when building trawlers and tugs.

the easiest way i ever found to put rivets onto card.

 

2Pcs Sewing Spacer Wheel Tools Tracing Wheel Leather Punching Hole Maker Paper | eBay

Edited By neil howard-pritchard on 25/01/2021 16:44:43

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello David Howe

A few years ago, I built a large model of the PS Great Eastern and I also fancied the "Riveted steel appearance"

The model was 7 feet in length and a plain painted black hull needed the touch of antiquity?

I used thickish card about 0.018" thick and in strips about 18mm wide and about 12" long. For the rivets,I used a blunt spring loaded centre punch, for rivet size consistency;

The card was glued to the hull using PVA

When dry, it was a shear pleasure to paint the hull with semi matt black paint

The effect was splendid

Photo`s to follow

Bob

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The GE rivet photo`s……

You may ask any questions if necessary

Bob Abell

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

A classic model, Bob.

Like the little jig to get the portholes right…another Bob bit.

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks Ashley

I know what you mean alright

Keep smiling

Keep safe

Bib

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Just some other ideas for the pot.

The Moorcock, built by Mr Keith Heyes, was completely plated by overlaying printer's litho plate over the hull. The edges of the plate were riveted by "Pounce" or "Ponce" wheels, as per Neil's sewing suggestion, from the rear before glueing them on. You can buy them in sets, usually of three, which will last a lifetime.

For strap joints I have used the same ponce wheels to make riveted straps in heavy paper. Again simply roll the wheel across the paper, cut and glue to the model. One or two rows of rivets are just as easy.

 

 

 

Finally I did this one with spots of cyano gell. You can't do it directly to the fibre glass as it soaks in and you don't get a nice 'blob' but if you prime it first the gell forms a nice neat blob on the surface.

 

 

Edited By Richard Simpson on 26/01/2021 17:07:37

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