9 Fake Rivet Techniques You Should Know! Foamsmithing Basics for Steampunk Cosplay and Foam Armour

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Want to know the cheapest/easiest/best way to make faux rivets for your foam armor or steampunk costume? I try 9 different techniques to see which one comes out on top!
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➜ • My Favourite Epoxy Hac...
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If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you do so at your own risk and you assume the responsibility for the results. You hereby release Lost Wax Designs, and any person included in this programming expressly or implicitly from any and all actions, claims, or demands that you, your heirs, distributees, guardians, next of kin, spouse or legal representatives now have, or may have in the future, for injury, death, property damage, or any other liability that may result related to the information provided in this video.

[@agneschrismer9946]

I've missed you and your humor. Thanks for the rivet class.

[@LostWax]

It's nice to be back:)

[@sixtheprimordial7479]

A very "Riveting" Class.

[@TyLeeslilsis]

You’re the first I’ve seen mention round head fasteners. I used them on my last armor suit and they suited really well for putting together big Eva foam pieces that were too difficult to glue together and needed a little bit of mobility anyways. They look super nice and paint well. Walmart also sells bulk packets of them for a few dollars in all various sizes. Handy little things.

[@LostWax]

Yeah, I hadn't used them before, but my daughter was using them for a kindergarten project, so I just "borrowed" a few:)

[@richardcampbell4506]

Wow! Who knew there were so many ways to rivet without actually fixing anything together 😉 Great video, cheers 👍

[@LostWax]

Hehe, I know hey 🤔 Thanks for watching!

[@JJ-up8ge]

I bought your template for the steampunk arm and its finally done!! I am so happy with the way it turned out, it looks AMAZING!! Thank you!!

[@LostWax]

Yay!! I'm glad it turned out for you!

[@jessevanderhamm]

Oh my gosh thank you! I’ve spent the last hour and a half searching through videos trying to find what you explained in the first minute and a half of your video. Thank you!

[@tmathis5931]

So glad I found this video! Making tons of steampunk art and this is perfect!!!

[@ryut]

I've tried 7 of these. I'm glad that I didn't try puff paint. But am wondering how come I didn't think about lentils! Thanks Chris!

[@LostWax]

I know hey. I just wish I could remember who told me about using lentils so I could give them credit. Pretty brilliant idea!

[@msi4226]

Thank you so much. Thank you for the tutoring, tips and tricks. You kind Sir have provide educational which benefit to society especially "parents".

[@MyGrowthRings]

Thanks for doing this and your results are quite helpful for a project I have coming up. Happy I found you! Scott

[@DrPandemonium]

Thank goodness Chris is back! Excellent practical advice delivered in the world’s calmest and most relaxing voice. Loved how the lentils turned out... what a surprise. I hope you and your family are safe and well 😃.

[@LostWax]

Thank you kindly! and yes, we are safe and well. All the best to you too!!

[@PetalsandParchment]

This is an amazing tutorial! Thank you so much!🌷

[@amadon3]

These are all great ideas! I was really impressed with the lentils and split peas! In the past I've also used KAM snaps with amazing success. There are so many colors and finishes to choose from and best of all, your rivet is a snap, so you can change things out.

[@LostWax]

That's a new idea, fantastic!!

[@kimberlyking3083]

Great video. Thanks for putting all these ideas in one video with paint too so we can see what they look like finished. I too love your videos.

[@LostWax]

Glad it could be helpful!!

[@rose.g.]

Love your videos! Fyi...Try using Liquid Pearls or Nuvo Drops. These "drops" are used a lot in mixed media art, etc. It's self-leveling, much cleaner than resin, dry quickly, come in many colors/metallics and take paint very well. With a bit of practice, it looks just like a rivet.

[@stockvillain]

Tried most of these over the years, but lebtils is new to me, and I really like how they came out. Looks like I've got a new crafting material!

[@LostWax]

Yeah, they surprised me too!

[@negotiableaffections]

One of the best maker-tips videos ever! Definitely a keeper.

[@LostWax]

Glad it was helpful:)

[@johnjephcote7636]

During WWII Supermarine glued split peas onto a smooth-rivetted Spitfire, and then successively removed them in certain places until the a/c's speed had built up to a successful compromise with a snap-head rivetted machine. The experiment told the company just where expensive smooth-rivetting was most required. I remember buying split peas decades ago but I guess I can get them on the internet.

[@LostWax]

Well, that is really interesting. Sometimes simple is... best.

[@mmendivil9524]

This was SO Helpful, Just like you said, IT really did fill my brain with Ideas! Awesome!

[@QNICORN79]

Yes, be NICE to people ❤

[@ryanbatten9564]

Just helped me a lot with a college project thanks for the help

[@SacredDreamer]

Riviting . Watched all the way through. Well Done !.

[@LostWax]

Thanks!

[@veronica5896]

They all look good at a distanse, but totally agree on your top picks. Great video as always!

[@LostWax]

Yeah, in a pinch any would work pretty well. Thanks for watching!

[@fauxmarmorer9544]

One thing I found through Ben Eadie, was these little rubber cabinet bumpers, they're fairly cheap, a few hundred for less than ten dollars, granted unless you want square rivets you get a few less, but they are adhesive backed, and fairly strong, along with plastidip and paint on top of that, they seem to hold up pretty well, they are all identical, so, if that bugs you that might be a problem, but yeah, a decent fairly good looking option, make sure you press them into the foam so they really stick, this is my preferred method of rivets

[@LostWax]

Oh yeah, Ben is great!! I had forgotten about those little stick on bumpers. I should give them a try sometime!

[@MikStorer]

Another really neat set of tricks. Thanks Chris!

[@LostWax]

Thanks Michael!

[@mrsbrowniscool]

Great information as always! Good sense of humor as well. Look forward to each video - give us more!

[@LostWax]

Thanks, I'll do my best:)

[@loneraven96]

Oh yeeeeyyy!!! As always good content for crafters out there ❤️❤️❤️ Yet to have a project involving rivets but soon I will thank you!!!! 💪

[@LostWax]

Nice!

[@DIYGene]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@LostWax]

You are welcome!

[@barryparks8055]

😮very useful. Many thanks!

[@whimsymaker]

Awesome as always!

[@LostWax]

Thanks, you are too kind!

[@Leela155]

Very nice! I would also like to see how each thing holds paint

[@leasmadello4493]

Thats cool! I would have never guessed any if these! Came across your leather video as I do sewing, checked your list and this is my2nd video I’ve watched of yours- both videos: Surprised! Both videos have inspired me in my creative way that I never knew or would have never thought of or come close too..LOVE your other projects that you have done for your other videos- (haven’t watched your other videos yet) very neat and educational!

[@LostWax]

Wow, that's great to hear, I am so glad you found my channel and it could be an inspiration for your creativity!

[@reaganpreshong7486]

Wow this is great!! Thanks Chris

[@LostWax]

Glad you liked it Reagan 😁

[@g.Narly555]

Super helpful! Thanks!

[@LostWax]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ruthbryant3929]

I have missed you too! This was a wonderful tutorial. Thank you.

[@LostWax]

You are so welcome!

[@kazs6529]

Chris: make sure you glue gun is turned up nice and hot My silly brain: 😏 Thanks for appearing in our life again Chris! We missed you!

[@LostWax]

It's good to be back! I wish I could make more videos, but everything always takes way longer than I think it will :) Thanks for watching!

[@AoiAriBerry]

I love how dorky you are, and you're so proud of it. Never stop being you! I love your series! You make me want to build things!

[@LostWax]

Hehe, yep, I am who I am:) And I am glad I make you want to build stuff, we need more people in this world who make things!

[@trikepilot101]

@@LostWax But, IMO, you make a dashing pirate. And I'm a strait guy.

[@LostWax]

@@trikepilot101 😂 It's gotta be the wig:)

[@traciakierman1]

Great video as always! I'm really curious to see how the lentils hold up over time.

[@LostWax]

You and me both!

[@ArmouryTerrain]

@@LostWax I have lentils in wargaming terrain that is over a decade old and even living in the humid subtropics they have held up well. The secret is sealing them so that they can not adsorb moisture from the air. How well they hold up on costumes I do not know.

[@LostWax]

Great info, it's good to hear they've stood up so well over time!

[@rowanelfric4871]

tHANKS for this tuttorial, I was in the need of this.

[@LostWax]

Glad I could help!

[@kraftyiam]

Great ideas - thanks for sharing

[@LostWax]

You are so welcome!

[@charliecallanan53]

Wow, this was a very riveting video!

[@LostWax]

😜

[@clareszmekura4587]

Thanks great tutorial 🙂

[@LostWax]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Z0MB13Redfield]

Your tips are always great

[@LostWax]

Thanks!

[@CriticalEatsJapan]

Great job! This video was very riveting... :P

[@noeldoyle4501]

Thanks for your nice video.

[@martita7959]

Great video. Thank's 😻

[@rodrigolopez4134]

oh dude i miss you, thanks for comeback, nice work i love your channel!

[@LostWax]

Hey, thanks!

[@onemansjunk01]

Very riveting 👌🏼

[@ericsweetman9973]

Thanks for another great video!

[@LostWax]

You're welcome:) Thanks for watching!

[@charlottemund684]

I'm a fan of the crwative descriptive words. Makes this feel way more crafty

[@LostWax]

😁

[@leonorgarciasanchez9957]

Your works're the best 💯

[@LostWax]

Appreciate that😀

[@Abersax]

Tanks for the help i had some Problems with RIVETS 👍

[@LostWax]

Glad it helped!

[@N3croAc3]

Youre alive! 💛✨😭😌 Good to see you again

[@LostWax]

I am!!! It's good to be alive:) Thanks for watching!

[@sebastianes2929]

luckily, i have a STICK love the video man, it was insanely helpful!

[@CosplayApprentice]

Hey Friend!!!! Such an awesome video!!! Thanks for putting this together, who knew lentils??? You Rock man!!

[@LostWax]

Hey Skyler!! Hope you are doing well! Gotta love those lentils.....

[@tukkerbear]

Nice!!

[@arielledelecambre4374]

super ! merci

[@LostWax]

Thank you!

[@rosarivera1829]

Thank you

[@LostWax]

You're welcome!

[@noemid1458]

I just want to say this is such a cool in the idea I do love the traditional way of making the rivets I would like to know where you got that tool that you used to drill the hole?🤔

[@LostWax]

It's a Foredom flex shaft, used for jewellery making. I see that there are now lots of knock off brands that are pretty reasonable prices. I got mine from a jewellery supply company many years ago, but you should be able to find one pretty quick by searching.

[@Cazimi2]

I also won a Halloween contest with the hat and the goggles made following your amazing patterns. (Thank you!) I used then pearls and Tulip paint for textiles. but I had most success with rivets and screws out of polymer clay. (Wilton moulds for fondant has some awesome shapes, but by hand is very easy). Covering black polymer clay rivets/screws with metallic powder (e.g. Pearl Ex) gives a very realistic look. For Covid masks, when I have begun make them, first place I looked for patterns was your site, because your patterns are the best, the easiest and most accurate in the whole world!

[@LostWax]

Congrats on the contest win!! And great input about the polymer clay rivets.

[@Cazimi2]

@@LostWax Thank you, but it's mostly your merit. On rivets: also, from dollar store, the little silicon dampeners usually used for cabinet doors and drawers to prevent slamming sound. They have an adhesive on back, but it's useless. The shape is nice though, suitable for larger rivets, and they paint well.

[@Jane_under_a_tree_with_a_book]

Tedious - and yet so interesting.

[@GamingDad63]

There you are :) Thanks for another video. Nice editing and content.

[@LostWax]

Here I am:)

[@erichood3169]

Never knew the technique for real rivets. Cool.

[@gunnarbiker]

Like a child, I laughed when you said "all that hammer whacking"! But, seriously, this is cool!

[@KnoviceCosplay]

the lentils are awesome! please post an update of how well they stay on!!!

[@robynmasters335]

I'll bet you could also use diamond dotz, which are like unfaceted acrylic rhinestones. I've got some peaces of Copper, antiqued bronze, gold, and gun steel colored pleather. I want to make a steampunk hat that looks like pieces of sheet metal riveted together. I could use 3 mm fashion rivets which are real metal. They're cheep enough on Etsy or Temu. I like a couple of your suggestions though.

[@eisenkrahe7125]

I just subscribed and saw the Plague Hat and Mask video, And you post a new video lmao Nice work man!

[@LostWax]

Hehe, welcome here😁 I hope you can find some helpful content!

[@eisenkrahe7125]

@@LostWax Well a fake rivet tutorial is really helpful 😃

[@Bananaboogiebone]

i was riveted to this riveting video :)

[@PrincessFidelma]

I WAS going to make a Riveting joke, but I wont now :-)

[@candacebarlow9296]

You can get rid of hot glue strings with a quick blast from a blow dryer. Not hot enough to remelt the glue, but cleans up the stray bits

[@LostWax]

NIce tip!

[@TheGrumpyChef]

Thx for vid! I was looking for idea to turn my front door to steampunk and this is it. I like the cool lentil idea. Do you think textured Rustolium copper or bronze paint and ceramic antiquing stain or just wood stain I have laying around would work. New to this stuff... thx again!

[@LostWax]

A front door full of rivets sounds great! I'm not totally sure how to answer your questions about paint, I have never painted something that will be exposed to the elements continuously. I would say to definitely use something made for exteriors, and try it on a sample before doing the whole door:)

[@missourigal]

thanks so much! i started making upcycled altoid tins into steampunk boxes and this time wanted to do something different around the edges. getting lentils is easy, it's the foam. where can i get a tiny amount of foam. by the way, you are funny!

[@LostWax]

If you are just looking for the thin craft foam, you can usually get it at a craft store like Michaels or something similar.

[@matthewboehlig1073]

Just what I need for Christmas: a sample platter of rivets!

[@quemeese]

I used short stove bolts (the kind that don't have any drive type - i.e. phillips head screw) and glued them into holes in my foam armor.

[@LostWax]

Nice!

[@josuvega1361]

Que bueno....

[@celinelassaux712]

Hi ! Your site is génial / amazing ! I also do lots of things like costumes and ambiant décorations for our disguised party (sorry for my english, i am french, hope it is understandable ). I recently used your false rivets technic on a viking hat and my favorit is "peas" ! Now we are making viking costumes, would you have some suggestions ? Thanks 😊

[@blissywalks203]

That’s so cool! Lentils, who knew?

[@LostWax]

Indeed!

[@PENFOLD1962]

Hole Cap's and Hole plug's look really realistic, plus some are textured like rust! There's such a choice of them too, all different colours. They are dirt cheap. They are used to cover holes in furniture, cupboards etc. Plastic Screw Caps also look great once painted and aged! (Not the hinged variety)

[@LostWax]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@lakritzeslena]

yay for lentils! (time to cook dal)

[@cindytaylor9025]

I made that steampunk top hat!

[@LostWax]

Nice!

[@SimonGoldberger]

Hey Chris. I have to ask, how have the lentils held up over the past year? I really don't trust myself with hot glue rivets or Epoxy and lentils look so simple, how does one seal them and make them invulnerable to water ?

[@beckymurphy4714]

I used the paper fasteners on my dragon armor. I lucked into a huge bag at our local Goodwill; probably a couple hundred for a couple bucks. I got smaller ones at Walmart in the office supply section. If you're careful you can cut the backs off googly eyes & get the rattly part out. Then you have a nice dome to use; I'd recommend using the pen method to make an indentation and then gluing the dome into that. (I've never tried it; just seems like it'd work.) Any ideas for making faux abalone discs? I want to make Xena's chakram for a friend, but those discs have me stumped. I don't want to just paint circles with iridescent paint, but if that's my only option I'll go with it.

[@LostWax]

Hmm, I'll have to look at some images to get an idea of what you are looking for but I think I have a bit of an idea. What about pouring two slightly different colors of nail polish onto a disc and then swirling it a tiny bit... not sure if it'd work but might be worth a try...

[@butterfly2385]

Awesome….ta….

[@idonotknowwhatimdoing9177]

Whenever I need to make rivets I make a type of half and half fake and real are you a little bit of glue stick for glue gun and cut off the end then I take a small hole big enough for glue stick to fit in then Smash It Down until what works like a normal rivet except made out of glue

[@kevinvitale8980]

The hot glue technique I found to be good for tiny rivets.

[@LostWax]

Cool!

[@heartslessons6243]

I use air dry clay. Yes you have to make them ahead of time. I make them while I watch TV. You can make them into any shape you want. 🙂👍

[@LostWax]

Nice.

[@goatmealcookies7421]

If you mod podge or use gesso over the lentils and peas they will be okay as long as you avoid crushing them. Havent had problems with bugas as long as the item ia well saturated. May not withstand humidity tho.

[@LostWax]

Cool, thanks for the info, that's good to know!

[@jherazob]

@@LostWax The real enemy with natural dry materials is humidity. Pasta crafts last a long time and once sealed even longer, so I suspect that these dry lentils (not the precooked ones) once well sealed should hold for the duration of the prop. I understand Mod Podge actually does this well enough as it's not just white glue and has other additives but only time will tell.

[@LostWax]

@@jherazob Especially where I live- the air is super dry all winter long.

[@littleharunosakura]

Lostwax posts a video: I click See the like button on that video: I click

[@LostWax]

I see a comment: I click reply.

[@rarz78]

What is that metallic paint?

[@Jeff_Lee]

I wonder how well it would work to glue down a bunch of lentils/peas onto foamcore, add foamcore walls, and pour a silicone mold; then just crank out a bunch of resin casts of the "rivets". Hopefully, that would retain the handmade look without the fragility (or potentially disastrous water-absorption results) of dried legumes.

[@LostWax]

It would work I think, but kinda feels like a lot of effort..... Good thought on the water absorption aspect of dried legumes, I never thought of it, but you'd definitely need to seal them well.

[@jherazob]

@@LostWax you'd only have to do it once, crank out a huge number of them for as long as the mold will resist and you have rivets for a long time, seems like a good quarantine project and wouldn't take as long as you fear

[@LostWax]

@@jherazob It's always worth a try! Even if it doesn't work, I learn something new:)

[@K-FOREST_Original]

Hi, how are you? _ The temperature in Seoul this morning was -12'C. Winter and cold have begun in earnest. I hope you will be healthier this week. ^O^

[@LostWax]

Those are very similar temps to what we are having right now! Thanks for watching!

[@clemmcguinness1087]

Rivetting

[@chuongvunguyen1985]

what name that color u used in this video??

[@LostWax]

If I remember correctly, it was DecoArt Americana Decor "Vintage Brass"

[@davidhensley76]

This video is riveting.

[@LostWax]

It had to be said.

[@davidhensley76]

@@LostWax It was just a matter of time. Have you worn your Bauble Head around town lately?

[@LostWax]

@@davidhensley76 😂 Not lately, it's up in the garage on some inaccessible shelf.

[@rodinafreeman244]

What about making covid mask? :) we missed your videos dont make the break long !

[@LostWax]

I figure there's already tons of covid masks out there already, I'll probably not do one as well. Thanks for sharing the idea though, I really appreciate it!

[@rodinafreeman244]

@@LostWax yes but with ur steampunk style would be epic ^^ . no force tho just a suggestion thanks

[@LostWax]

@@rodinafreeman244 We'll see, If I come up with a really inspired idea, I might give it a go:)

[@Oonagh72]

I do t think any one method is better than the other apart from durability. It seems the methods have more to do with the look for which you are going. Some look more rustic, some more industrial, and some even cartoonish. To the untrained non-cosplayer I personally like all of them. Also the issue with puff paint is that because it dries they shrink. So you have to guess at how big to make them to get your desired size.

[@Vengetuen_Wraith]

and the foam ones are the only ones safe for LARP weapon striking surfaces

[@egs_schroeder3916]

Or if you forget that the glue gun us plugged in, it will drip little rivet looking things

[@olivierrouet471]

Nylon Fasteners used for electrical Wiring duct are not expensive so.

[@norseridersNL]

do i need to do a woosh before starting this?

[@LostWax]

You can start with either a whoosh or a swoosh, they both work pretty well.

[@norseridersNL]

@@LostWax i will try with a swoosh.my local shipyard is curently all out of whooshes

[@LostWax]

@@norseridersNL Maybe two, just in case one doesn't work. They're pretty cheap.

[@norseridersNL]

@@LostWax ill just buy a dozen.always handy to have around in case my car breaks down or my food tastes saltless..

[@LostWax]

@@norseridersNL 😁

[@ItsViolaRose]

Get a beeswax candle…drip some of it *Me:oh yeah you can use that as a rivet! Just paint it gold and-* use it to pick up craft foam *oh yeah exactly what I was going to say yupp yup*

[@LostWax]

😁

[@WoodenCreationz]

Number 10... Super glue works really good as well.... Just did a video showing making rivets and it works fantastic!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5i9k3SinbRqiNk

[@RaysBlueBasementWorkshop]

Try glossy accents.