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How to Use Rivets in a Model Tank

Most real tanks use large rivets to hold the different pieces of metal together. When putting together a realistic model of a tank, rivets are an important part of the design. However, some model tank kits do not come with rivets. If this is the case for your model, you can make your own rivets and attach them to the side of the tank with fast-drying glue. Attaching the rivets is not difficult, but it does require patience because the pieces are so tiny that attaching them to the tank can be frustrating.

Things You'll Need

Model tank
Die punch with .18-inch round punch
.10 styrene sheet plastic (colored)
Small container
Permanent marker
Fast-drying glue
Toothpick
Tweezers
Modeling paint
Small paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Cut out the number of rivets that you want to use from the sheet plastic. Use a punch die that has a .18-inch round hole. Punch out the plastic circles and place them into a small container. It is easier to cut out hundreds of rivets at once and use them at your leisure during the modeling process than to cut each one out when you need it.
- 2
  Look at a photo of a real tank to determine where the rivets are placed. Usually joints between large metal pieces use rivets to hold the two pieces together.
- 3
  Mark the desired placement of the rivets onto the side of the model with a permanent marker.
- 4
  Apply a dab of glue to the back of each rivet with a toothpick.
- 5
  Pick up the rivet with tweezers and carefully place it over the marked areas on the model tank. Hold the rivet in place with the tweezers until the glue dries. Repeat the process for all of the other rivets you want to add to the tank.
- 6
  Paint the rivets with the same paint you use to paint the rest of the model.

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