DIY Wooden Blocks

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Foswick

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Apr 25, 2024
123
Fuji 32 Bellingham
My 1975 Fuji 32 has seen some history. Despite that, there are a few parts that are suprisingly original, having survived nearly 50 years. Among these is a single wooden block used for the mizzen sheet. A couple of things contribute to its survival, but it is clear that the mizzen hasn't been used much over the years and this block sits right under the boom, shielded from the elements by the mizzen sail and cover. The sail, believe it or not, is the original sail and it is still in OK condition. Probably has a season or two left in it.

Anyway, I so love the wooden block that I want to restore all of the sheet blocks with wood. It seems that the boat was originally equipped this way. Even if not, that's the way I want it.

I know I can buy wooden blocks, but I'm pretty sure I can make my own without too much cursing. I've found several references online as well as suppliers of constituent parts (sheaves and such).

Anywone have any direct experience with this?
 
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thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,632
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
Sailors Sketchbook

There is a really good, detailed section on this. The writer is a smart guy, well known in the industry (he illustrated for many mags and other writers), and his illustrations are very good. If you are a DIY and tinkerer, and like traditional boats, you NEED this book. It is one of my favorites.
 
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F

Foswick

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Apr 25, 2024
123
Fuji 32 Bellingham
thinwater said:
Sailors Sketchbook

There is a really good, detailed section on this. The writer is a smart guy, well known in the industry (he illustrated for many mags and other writers), and his illustrations are very good. If you are a DIY and tinkerer, and like traditional boats, you NEED this book. It is one of my favorites.
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Purchased! Thanks for the tip.
 
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Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

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Jan 4, 2006
7,069
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Foswick said:
Anywone have any direct experience with this?
Click to expand
Not with making blocks, but I have a pretty good hobby woodworking shop and recently was given my buddy's woodworking shop when he moved into a retirement home. Yes, more woodworking tools and equipment of which I have no idea with what to do.

Back on to track here, if you want to finish them to look like they've got a foot deep finish plus stay looking like like that forever without refinishing, maybe you can try this :

1722291900723.jpeg


The stairs are the original (1998) and were looking a pretty shop worn around the edges when I refinished them 15 years ago. Material is solid teak. Stripped with a jack plane and covered with one layer of light glass cloth, three layers of clear epoxy, and three layers of spar varnish. The cloth disappears completely because the glass has the same refractive index as the epoxy. Never been recoated after getting heavily used and still look identical.

I also did the stern seats many years ago with five coats of epoxy, no glass, and three coats of varnish :

1722293810292.png


Finish your blocks like this and people will be drooling over them for the remaining life of your boat.
 
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thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,632
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
Foswick said:
Purchased! Thanks for the tip.
Click to expand
Please report back with your experience. I'm sure many will be interested.

I don't think I've ever directly copied one of his ideas, but the book has inspired a good few. My copy is probably 20 years old and falling apart.
 
F

Foswick

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Apr 25, 2024
123
Fuji 32 Bellingham
thinwater said:
Please report back with your experience. I'm sure many will be interested.

I don't think I've ever directly copied one of his ideas, but the book has inspired a good few. My copy is probably 20 years old and falling apart.
Click to expand
Will do. I just started my ipe cockpit makeover (like 30 minutes ago) and will have some good pieces left over, so I might have a go with some of that just because I have it on hand.

Having a book like that is worth it just for the inspiration. Sometimes it just takes somebody explaining that a thing can be done to inspire you to take on some things. Take these blocks for example. I wanted some and started shopping. Didn't occur to me that I could just make my own until I saw other people mention it. Then it was like, "Oh, of course ... it's not that complicated."
 
dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,978
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Foswick said:
Will do. I just started my ipe cockpit makeover (like 30 minutes ago) and will have some good pieces left over, so I might have a go with some of that just because I have it on hand.

Having a book like that is worth it just for the inspiration. Sometimes it just takes somebody explaining that a thing can be done to inspire you to take on some things. Take these blocks for example. I wanted some and started shopping. Didn't occur to me that I could just make my own until I saw other people mention it. Then it was like, "Oh, of course ... it's not that complicated."
Click to expand
It helps if you have a lathe, but I've used an electric drill and accomplished almost the same thing - a lathe is much easier...

dj
 
thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,632
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
dLj said:
It helps if you have a lathe, but I've used an electric drill and accomplished almost the same thing - a lathe is much easier...

dj
Click to expand
A drill press can easily be set up as a small vertical lathe. It can work pretty darn well for small things like this. You can buy a cheap kit or you can DIY it in 15 minutes with stuff you probably have on hand. (Tee nuts make a good drive end. Also through bolts.)
 
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