This is a brake riveting press, BTW. Also for clutches. And I built my 1:1 Model T Armored car with it. 5,000 rivets...
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/S0ggwR9/shield-1.jpg)
Using custom-made dollies for the 3/32nd (ish?) rivets on the front shield. I turned the dollies up from mild steel and they will double-end the rivets. The 25 pdr is kind of an experiment. The real test will come on the Rolls!
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/0tHcjX6/shield-2.jpg)
Shield with rivets set on both ends. And markings for footman loops and other holes. A few of the 8BA bolts and nuts in place, instead of using cap screws.
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/ZXbdkZX/shield-3.jpg)
Other side of the shield showing rivets dollied on both sides. Some of the Armortek bits going on with 8BA bolts and nuts.
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/h9NNKH3/shield-4.jpg)
Hubs, which took quite a bit of modifying, but I think because I made a mistake and put the Armorpax web pieces too far outboard. But the backing plates work great and the drums work with spacers and a bit of machining. I am going to revisit Dave Dibb's build tonite as I think I need to move some axle parts around before I put in my linkages, lever, etc.
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/8gLXvrn/shield-5.jpg)
After much riveting, much tightening nuts, much soldering and a bunch of other work, a beautiful shield is starting to emerge! I machined the sight 'tube' so that it is now hollow with a removable cap. The footman loops are pressed in the holes and soldered from the back (small torch melts them into a perfect little rivet!) I decided to steal from a couple of amazing builds here and do some brass work, especially for the wood toolboxes, which I will probably build tomorrow. The Armorpax boxes are great, but I think I can make them 'complete' with hinges, lids and ironwork (brasswork?) to go in the brass cradles. The Armorpax boxes are perfect patterns, too!
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/YNS0M1S/shield-6.jpg)
One of my brass projects... a cradle for the wood toolbox. Love the way it came out and it was super easy using brass strip and a small press/shear I got from eBay.
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/tpW7sgn/shield-7.jpg)
Front of the shield with footman loops fitted. The factory shovel clips are going to get replaced with some brass ones I'll make tomorrow. It's a lovely piece!!!!
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/bJQBSdf/shield-8.jpg)
Self-etch primer applied to the front... the rear tomorrow after a few more details go on. Seems a shame to paint over all these neat little details! But it's coming together nicely!
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/sPcPNhS/shield-9.jpg)
And last... starting to mock up assembly. One can never really appreciate the scale of an Armortek kit until it starts to come together like this! Not just the scale, but the opportunity it has for detailing!
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/GFBGtxv/shield-9a.jpg)
A fun Saturday... when I should have been doing other things. But I needed a relaxing weekend!
Cheers,
RPR