Scalefour Forum

Hi All. As I'm just to about to embark on the process of track making. I have decided to change from plastic sleepers to ply ones. Only problem is I don't have a rivet and hole punch press and they are not available in stores.

Does anyone have one I can borrow, hire or buy from them please. I'll be at the Scale North Show next month to save having to post it.

All Best

Dave

It’s not as precise, but I’ve successfully used a pair of pliers to press rivets into sleepers. It’s very straight forward on plain sleepers, turnout sleepers need to be drilled first. If you can’t find a press this may work as an alternative.

I had one once but goodness knows where it is now! I mark the rivet position on the sleeper from the template using a pointed scriber (gramophone needle in a pin-chuck) and then open out with a 1.2mm drill. If the hole is slightly tight a fine round needle file rotated in the hole works wonders. I squash the rivet with parallel closing pliers, giving it a tap on an anvil (vice jaws, weight from old Lima diesel etc.) to flatten it underneath and/or giving it a rub over with a flat file to ensure the bottom surface is flat.

Another alternative is using the EMBA ply bases (see Ralph's topic), which are laser cut and have the rivet locations included so presumably push out.

http://ec2-52-56-128-123.eu-west-2.comp ... duct_id=56

edited to add that these are available from the stores too, so will be at S4N.

HTH,
Cheers,
Pete

Thanks for your help there guys, much appreciated. Thankfully I think I've now got a press sorted. The thought of drilling all the sleepers wasn't very appealing but I know I will have to do some anyway.

As for the EBMA track bases, that would be a great way to go but most of the point work I have to make are curved and or non standard crossing. I'll probably use them for the fiddle yard etc.

Thanks again.

Dave

Hello,
People may find this product useful for punching holes in ply sleepers if they are unable to source a combined rivet/press tool.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BeadSmith-Metal-Hole-Punch-Pliers-Choose-from-1-25mm-1-5mm-1-8mm-Short-Long-/183274159265
Just need to figure how to make something to press the rivets neatly, possibly in a pillar drill.
trustytrev.