UMM-USA Swiss Tools First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of First Look | July 2010 | Manufacturer | UMM-USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Swiss Tools | Product Number | BT902 |
| Pros | Excellent rivet tool for flat or complex surfaces | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Basic | ||
| MSRP (USD) | $19.99 |
First Look
UMM-USA has a new tool offering that will appeal to more advanced modelers - a precision rivet tool. You've seen the cutting-wheel type of riveter that started out in the sewing world before getting pulled into our hobby as well ( look here). While the wheel-based rivet tool is convenient for some modelers, the tool only makes one size of rivet spaced at a preset interval. What if you want some variations?
Enter the Swiss Tools. This tool is a wooden handle that can accept any of the 24 cutting tools that range from #00 to #23. Each of these tools cuts out a precision hole in your plastic or resin surface and is as simple to use as placing the tip at the desired rivet hole location, pushing down carefully with the wooden handle, and move to the next spot. If the hole is too small, grab a larger cutter. If the hole is too big, fill in with cyano, sand smooth, and re-punch with a smaller tip.
This approach to riveting may seem to be more time consuming, but if you're taking the trouble of cutting your own panel lines or repairing lines that were obliterated during assembly and sanding/filling, then these tools will help you replicate the look of different sized rivets or fasteners on adjacent panels on any type of surface you can reach. This tool will help you rivet where even the wheels can't effectively cut.
If you're looking for a versatile tool set for repairing, correcting, or adding rivet details to your model, this is the set to add to your workbench.
You can find this and other cool tools at www.umm-usa.com.