UMM-USA 1/48 3D Riveter Tool First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of First Look | September 2008 | Manufacturer | UMM-USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | 1/48 3D Riveter Tool | Product Number | MN006 |
| Pros | Must-have tool for creating surface rivet patterns | Cons | |
| MSRP (USD) | $18.05 |
First Look
If you've progressed into more advanced modeling, you will tend to take your projects to places that the basic kit was not designed for. Take for example Monogram's nice 1/48 F-5E Tiger II kit. It builds great straight out of the box, but its surface detailing is older generation raised panel lines and no other real surface detail. An advanced modeler will take that basic kit, remove the raised panel lines, scribe in the appropriate replacement lines, then add the other missing surface details. While the surface of a Northrop fighter looks smooth, a closer inspection will reveal what's missing - rivet details.
UMM-USA offers a nice series of 3D Riveter Tools. This one has teeth that are spaced apart ideally for typical 1/48 scale spacing, and they have other spacing for 1/72 and 1/32 scale as well.
Click on the image to the left and you can see the teeth on this tool - they're not flat, they're rounded to give you a more realistic appearance on the surface of your project. Once you've scribed the panel lines (check out the interesting scribing tools UMM-USA also offers), simply tape down a straight edge and run the riveter tool across the surface using the edge as a guide. In no time, the surface of your project will be transformed into a more contemporary level of detail.
Definitely recommended for your bench!
My sincere thanks to UMM-USA for this review sample!