Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: Lance on December 09, 2023, 11:33:40 am
-
I am building a 70cm LOA pilot cutter and would like to make some turning blocks - working, wooden, maximum 2mm and minimum 1.5mm length. Have tried a couple of designs and would appreciate other styles, both single and double blocks. All ideas gratefully accepted.
-
I don't have an answer, sorry. Only 2 questions. Do you mean 'turning blocks' or rigging blocks, or both?
Did historic ships have turning blocks?
-
They do sound like rigging blocks. If you are making them from wood they need a very close grained wood otherwise they may split when drilling holes.
The other option is to buy ready made in plastic and Billing kits have them at this size.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Roy
-
Hi A selection ready made blocks here while we have stock
https://deansmarine.co.uk/shop/index.php/cPath/1_3/sort/2a/page/1
-
If you are making them from wood they need a very close grained wood otherwise they may split when drilling holes.
There are also some very hard tropical rainforest, and African woods that are very dense and hard. I had one piece of old scrap timber, used as a rail on a bed, that was hard to cut with a hacksaw and rang like a bell when we hit it. Not sure how you could source some. You would need to use metal working tools to make your blocks.
-
Another thing to consider is a dummy block, that the lines will pass through. Friction need not be a problem, for working. Wear need not be a problem due to the low amount of use a model gets.
Using a brown HDPE would look like wood from a short distance, and HDPE can be very slippery.
-
Sounds like you had some ironwood TT.
Paxolin, Delrin and Tufnol are engineered
Wood like materials that could be used.
NN