Blocks!

[brokethebox]

Hey!

I'm after some more blocks for the lovely GMC, really so i can begin rotating working blocks to service and varnish as the season goes on, rather than have 60 all to do at once like last winter!

So, does anyone know where i could find some 14 -16mm or 16 - 18mm ash blocks new or second hand at reasonable prices? I've heard that you can buy them 'flatpack' and build them yorself, but where? Also had the suggestion that there may be a stockpile of used ones in Eastern Europe worth investigating, but again, how?

Any hints would be much appreciated

James

 

[pyrojames]

Easy enough to make your own shells. If you only want them for rotation, then you can save on sheeves and axles anyway. I used stainless axles and tufnol sheeves in mine.

 

[monkey_trousers]

have a look at:

http://www.tradboats.com/others.html

got another one in me bookmarks somewhere will try hunt it out

 

[monkey_trousers]

found it!

http://www.tsrigging.co.uk/

 

[srp]

When I had my gaffer, I used to buy blocks at Beaulieu (and other) boat jumble every year. They vary in price incredibly, some of my cheapest were 50p - £1 each. Some of them were truly awful things - horrible shape or fitted with plastic sheaves (god forbid). I made up a load of really good ones, cannabalising bits as needed. All the ironwork bits were sent off to the galvanisers, and the ash cheeks renovated. When rebuilding I only ever used bronze sheaves. The copper nails were the hardest part to source funnily enough - it was difficult to get them in a thin enough gauge in the longer lengths. Varnish them without the sheaves in, so you reach all the inside bits. Might even be worth dipping them in thinned varnish before doing the brushwork.