Unbending etches

[jon price]

I'm building WM&CQR No17, Pollitt GCR 9F (LNER N5), from the Judith Edge kit, because the reasonable whitemetal one I started previously has no rivet detail, and these are a major element in the look of the loco. And therein lies the problem. Punching out the rivets (using a gravity punch) has caused the etched parts to bow. So how do I go about flattening them?

[Will L]

I'm building WM&CQR No17, Pollitt GCR 9F (LNER N5), from the Judith Edge kit, because the reasonable whitemetal one I started previously has no rivet detail, and these are a major element in the look of the loco. And therein lies the problem. Punching out the rivets (using a gravity punch) has caused the etched parts to bow. So how do I go about flattening them?

With gentle figure pressure if necessary, but you may well find that assembling the bits holds them flat. Think you may have been bonking them a bit hard.

[Tim V]

Are you working on a piece of lead?

[jon price]

Not working on a piece of lead, a piece of plywood.

[Tim V]

That's your problem, the plywood doesn't give proper support.

No lead? try a scrap whitemetal casting.