Hexagon Rod

[Super28]

What size Plastruct hexagon rod is the right size for bolt heads on a 1/24 or 1/25 scale car?

 

[Casey]

It depends upon the size of the bolt head you are trying to replicate. Is it a valve cover bolt, crank pulley bolt, or???  Divide the real bolt head size by the scale you are building in, and you've got the dimension you need.

FWIW, I would avoid using Plastruct hexagonal rod, as the tolerances don't seem to be very tight, and when slicing off a section, you'll get additional distortion, leading to same ill-shaped bolt heads. Plus, you have to get a near perfect cut each time, so that the next piece is flat, and then the next...

Miniature bolt heads are available in plastic, resin, brass, and stainless from various companies, and are a better option IMHO:

 

[NOBLNG]

I agree the plastruct rod is not easy to work with. This is a 1/25 scale engine. The slice of hex at the center of the valve cover is .030”. The one at the front is .040”. The one on the cutting matt is .060”. And boy was it fun getting those tiny  things off the tweezers due to static electricity. And by naked eye I can’t tell that the .030 is hex.?

Edited January 28, 2021 by NOBLNG

[Super28]

Thank you to everyone that answered me. i do appreciate it

[Erik Smith]

Honestly, if you’re doing a bunch of nuts and bolts, look at something like these:

https://www.modelbuilderswh.com/collections/detail-parts/products/bolt-head-on-a-washer-0-9mm-all-scales
 

You get a lot for the money and don’t have to chase .001” thin hex pieces around your hobby table, or slice 42 of them to get two parallels sides, or try 15 times to get a hole centered on a .15” hex piece. 

[afx]

I bought this punch and so happy I did.  The sizes indicated are pretty much what they would be in scale.

[misterNNL]

I have a quick tip that might help those trying to pick up those small hex parts and apply them to your model. I use a lot of tooth picks for not only applying adhesive but for picking up tiny parts. I simply moisten one end of the pick then touch that end to the part you intend to install. The moisture will allow you to pick up the part and transfer it to the small(!) amount of adhesive you have pre-applied to the spot needed. Incidentally I use the pointy end of the tooth pick to apply my CA glue. I have literally  done this thousands of times and it works great. I have one gas station that I applied 1100 rivet heads to this way. If you try this  and have trouble getting the tooth pick to pick up the part cut off a little part of it to create a larger flat space and that should work.