This has been asked before, but…
For my tender hungry boards project I need to simulate rivets that hold the side braces on.
What to use? I have some Ozark Miniatures stuff (nut/bolt/washer), but I think it’s too big. Seems that Kevin Strong once said he used HO track spikes on one of his loco bashes.
Your thoughts?
I often use escutcheon pins from this supplier:
http://craft-inc.myshopify.com/collections/fasteners/escutcheon-pins
They have several sizes, mostly in brass but some are also available in nickle. The #23 is the smallest size.
For some things I use Grandt Line rivets. They have both domed and conical rivets.
Joe Rusz said:
Seems that Kevin Strong once said he used HO track spikes on one of his loco bashes.
That’s what I used. They look like miniature escutcheon pins.
straight pin heads work too…
Straight pins are cheap too.
You might also look at sequin pins, they have a smaller head and pin diameter than regular straight pins. They can be found at places like JoAnn Fabrics, Micheal’ and other sewing supply places.
Well if your going to make them out of styrene or pvc board you just stamp them in
If I can’t just emboss the rivets from behind, then I use the track nails as mentioned above. I use both the Atlas and Peco brand nails. The Atlas heads are larger than the Peco heads, so I have two sizes to choose from depending on what I need.
Later,
K
I’ve used the emboss tool, but I will warn you. It is extremely difficult to get the tap and die sets for them. I even called NWSL to see if they were ever going to make more and they didn’t have an answer. I eventually found a set but they were too big. So I took that set and ground down the head to get smaller rivets. It isn’t perfect but it works good enough.
I think it makes the process of making rivets a lot quicker.
Wow! So many ideas. Head spinning. Must lie down.
Do I sound like “Comic Book Man?” 
And not to sound too picky, but do you really want rivets? Perhaps a nut and bolt might be more likely to be used…
Of course that opens up yet another discussion. 
Archer also makes rivet decals…basically resin drops on a waterslide carrier so I’m told…never tried them…and only ween them on Da Net…
I’m gonna rummage through my Ozark parts box and see what I got. At this stage, I’m willing to compromise just to avoid the hassle. But I do appreciate all of your input. BTW, after saying I didn’t like C&S prototypes, I decided to go with open, lath sided boards like some C&S tenders had just ‘cause they look different. Not lookin’ that great so far, but maybe after I mess with 'er some more.
Joe Rusz said:
This has been asked before, but…
For my tender hungry boards project I need to simulate rivets that hold the side braces on.
I don’t consider what’s holding my hungry boards together as rivets. They’re carriage bolts. Come in many sizes.