making strop blocks

[Hughman]

Start with some horseflesh mahogany....
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d928b3127ccec4c66a91650000000050O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/
Carter? coudja fill the cup, please? :D

this billet is marked off for ten blocks, and drilled with limit holes that are the sheave thickness in diameter. the axle pin hole is drilled on the facing side. Best to do this while you still have a square piece!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d928b3127ccec4c69932254200000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

here is the sheave, the sample block, and a slot cut and routed.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d928b3127ccec4c76578053a00000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

I sawed the corners off, to make turning easier. the far section is beginning to look like the sample.

[bamamick]

Alright, I have been waiting for this after hearing so much about this wood. Continue, if you please.

Mickey Lake

[paladin]

Ya got the right idea, Hugh feller......but a router is easier, maybe faster and then ya stuff in the ANTAL sheaves.....and they turn really easy like...

[Hughman]

Chuck, the slots are machined with a router, 1/2" straight cutter, with a fence bolted to the bottom.

Antal sheaves?

http://www.antal.it/Immagini/bozzelli/tulip-4.jpg

lol, the client originally wanted me to turn lignum vitae sheaves for this project. The cost mounted.....

[paladin]

I had a young man turn a bunch of bronze sheaves for me in Thailand. I then used the router similar to what you did but used Bois D'Arc for the shells and ANTAL sheaves....it surely made a difference when pulling the strings.....Used the boiled linseed oil in the crock pot trick to finish the shells.....

[Hughman]

I had a young man turn a bunch of bronze sheaves for me in Thailand. I then used the router similar to what you did but used Bois D'Arc for the shells and ANTAL sheaves....it surely made a difference when pulling the strings.....Used the boiled linseed oil in the crock pot trick to finish the shells.....

I'd love to get some bodark to work with...<sigh>

And the hot linseed thing is what I have in mind for the finish. Very seaworthy treatment, IMHO.

[paladin]

whatcha wanna make with the osage?

[Hughman]

whatcha wanna make with the osage?

thimbles, lizards, bullseyes, heart blocks, deadeyes, and maybe the odd cleat or two. boiled in oil, it is superior to locust, because of the grain structure.

persimmon is good, too.

[Jim Ledger]

Very interesting project, Hughman. What diameter line are these blocks for? For 1/2" line, what would be the dimensions of the square timber?

[Hughman]

3/8", and 2 1/4" square, and 4+" long

[Hughman]

Time to update this: cutting the bronze pins
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d906b3127ccec4e302e3420c00000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

Reaming the sheaves to fit the pins:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d906b3127ccec4e2b163a33100000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

The slots have been milled slightly undersize for sheaves:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d906b3127ccec4e3c2b6c30900000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

So, hand sand the slot to fit:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d906b3127ccec4e37759021400000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

After which, they get boiled in linseed oil:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d906b3127ccec4e3382042d200000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

The color deepens a lot, and they shrink some as the water is replaced by hot oil. A few needed to be opened up a little
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d906b3127ccec4e3024542aa00000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

[Dave Hadfield]

Nice.

A guest was admiring the mizzen outhaul blocks on my ketch yesterday. He asked what the finish was. I said, "None."

Small blocks made from Black Cherry, boiled in linseed oil, jotoba sheaves. They've been under that boom for 5 years now, and have not greyed at all. Stropped with manilla soaked in tarry boat sauce.

[Hughman]

The sheaves arrived the wrong size, and the client really wanted lignum sheaves anyway. There is nothing like a crisis for solving a problem, so many phone calls and some greasing of palms with silver, a Lignum Vitae log of about 40 pounds was located in an attic, ..."saved for a special project" the keeper said. It's gratifying that this project so moved the seller of the log...

Sawed, planed to within a few thousandths of the design thickness, the wood is selectively reduced into scrap, and a couple dozen circles.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d626b3127ccec49bea3515c000000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/
the hole is corrected for center,

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d626b3127ccec49a4895b44d00000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/
and fitted to an arbor:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d626b3127ccec49a4f36f47500000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

the right size groove is cut:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d626b3127ccec49b105594ed00000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

and the blocks are ready to be assembled, sanded, and stropped.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d626b3127ccec49b7328d43900000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

The rigging is planned for this weekend, in public, at the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors show in Rockland Maine. It's supposed to rain all week. see ya there! :D

[Vince Brennan]

Any more pics?

[PeterSibley]

Seconded !

[StevenBauer]

Yeah, we were hoping for rigging pics from the Show. I almost came up with Clint on Sunday but spent the day sailing instead. :D


Steven

[Hughman]

unfortunately, I don't. I didn't spend too much time at the show, but I did see Clint. I hope to see this vessel sailing in the harbor, though.