![]() ![]() In lieu, you could also use other suitable hardwoods such as walnut or locust. Lignum vitae is very rare and hard to source nowadays, - but it can be had from specialty wood working supply stores, such as Lee Valley Tools, Woodcraft, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, or Exotic Wood s USA. Lastly, you can make your own sheaves, the traditional method is to make them out of lignum vitae, a hardwood which is self-lubricating. A very good economical choice is Duckworks Boat Building supplies. You can get these from a variety of sources, at a fairly low cost. The better sheaves usually have as stainless steel bushing which prevents the plastic from deforming. The Harken #160 bullet sheave is a good choice for small boat/yachting use and can handle a line of up to 5/16", in comparison a Harken #265 "big bullet" can handle a line up to 3/8".Īlternatively, you could also buy commerically made metal or plastic (nylon) sheaves. There are several manufacturers including Harken, and Ronstan. The ball bearings will minimize friction, and give you a very long life. Today, the best type of sheave is a commercially made self-contained ball-bearing sheave. Historically, it is commonly made of lignum-vitae but when used for very laborious purposes, it is coaked in the middle with metal. The sheave is a solid cylindrical wheel, and round its circumference is a groove one-third of the thickness of the sheave deep, in which the rope works. The Sheave: The first step in making the block is actually to select the size and type of sheave you want to use. Strops can also be made of metal or iron. Blocks are made using a different number of sheaves (or pulleys): single-sheave, double-sheave and triple-sheave (even up to a maximum of 7-sheaves).Ī strap, especially a short rope whose ends are spliced together to make a ring known as a gasket, that serves as a band to support the block. Blocks are made for guiding rope, to control forces and to help with hoisting. A line (rope) is reeved through the (pulley) sheaves, and maybe through one or more matching blocks at some far end, to make up a tackle. In use, a block is fixed to the end of a line, to a spar, or to a surface. They were handmade by men who were masters and took pride in their craft.Ī block is a single or multiple pulley. They were made in endless variety, each designed for a specific job, tested and proved through the years by hard usage. There was a time when all blocks were rope stropped. If so, you need some rope stropped blocks. Have you ever tossed in your bunk on a windy night, cussing away as the noisy deck block clattered and banged away just above your ear? Have you ever secretly yearned for some of the pictuesque gear of the old squareriggers, deadeyes and lanyards, tarred hemp and canvas buckets, salt horse casks and handy billies? Share: Facebook Twitter Yahoo LinkedIn Digg ![]()
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