Marking out and indexing for rivets around a smokebox

[Porkscratching]

As per title, has anyone any good dodges and tips..?

I'm needing to index and mark out all round the circumference by the back edge of a smokebox, for drilling and riveting. Drilling will be "fun" too using the 0.8mm drills I need to use.

This would look awful if done wrong and the final holes need to be spot on...any advice gratefully received !

I'm replicating the plastic thing in the pic, probably using tin for the smokebox, but the rivets will likely be plastic, with shanks, (as that's what I have)... hence the need to drill the holes.

Edited March 22, 2021 by Porkscratching

[Gibbo675]

Hi There

 

You could use a girth tape as a template with holes drilled at the required set, wrap around the smokebox and then mark through.

 

Gibbo.

[Porkscratching]

That's a great idea, gives a good positive location to mark or even drill thru....

[doilum]

Quality graph paper?

[Porkscratching]

Good thought, I must get some graph paper anyway as I've a few plastic card  "shapes" I need to lay out..

[doilum]

Look and pay for the best. The standard school issue is now of fairly poor quality with almost blurred lines. Double sided tape will secure it. It is also worth pricking the exact spots with a compass point whilst it is still flat.