wood block construction ?

[UnlikelyBoatBuilder]

This is a timely thread for me, because I would like to make a new set of blocks for my Tom Gilmer "Blue Moon" yawl.

I've been trying to find information on building both metal and rope stropped blocks (I need both). So far, Brion's book has the most comprehensive info (the reason I found this forum), and there is some info on the Wooden Boat forum and Duckworks, but it seems to me someone must have written a book back in the 30s or even earlier that gave detailed info on building blocks, various kinds of cleats, etc.

Unfortunately, I haven't found one, yet!

In particular, I'd like to see something that showed how to build something more complicated than a single, rope-stropped block. I need to build at least one metal-stropped triple, with becket, for example.

I *think* I know how to make one, just by inspecting a few from the outside, but it sure would be nice to have a book that showed some of the tricks that may not be obvious to non-experts. For example, why does Davey & Co put the becket off-center on their double and triple blocks? That makes no sense to me, but I am guessing they have a good reason. Maybe an old book would explain it.

So, anyone know of such a book? Even an out-of-print one?

TIA: John

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Check out my blog: http://unlikelyboatbuilder.com

[c.grillo]

As for the grain, I can only imagine the thing cracking in two when it hit something if made up like the ones in the duckworks aricle. All commercially made blocks run the grain the other way as far as I can make out. But axle pin size probably is significant so as to lessen the chance of splitting. Sure would be nice if one of the experts would chime in! Brion?

I've been thinking of ordering one from Ording. They use elm as was traditionally used (traditionally as far as I have found -H.G.Smith I think it was). They hog out the slots from a single piece on the rope stropped ones but it is my guess that they have the milling equiptmet and it saves them man hours. For larger blocks and a bunch of them, I'm thinking it would probably be easier to build them up, Any suggestions from those that have done it both ways?

Just talked to my friend with the mill and millworks. He has some dry white oak and suggests using it for it's durability in the intended environment. Any comments?

[c.grillo]

Originally Posted by UnlikelyBoatBuilder

For example, why does Davey & Co put the becket off-center on their double and triple blocks? That makes no sense to me, but I am guessing they have a good reason.
TIA: John

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check out my blog: http://unlikelyboatbuilder.com

If you think about the way the line will be rove, I think it makes sense. Straight pull to the next sheave removing one coss. Even if right angle reeving is used.