Making Blocks and sheaves for a 1:48 scale model.

[GaryA]

Hi everybody,
I am wondering what modellers do to craft the different types of Blocks and Sheaves for their models, built at 1:48 scale?

 

[AllanKP69]

I would guess most folks that want working sheaves make their own blocks in pieces same as an actual block with tail piece, crown, etc. They look great on the largest blocks but maybe not worth the effort on smaller blocks as the line running through the block obscures most of the view of the sheave in most cases.
Allan

 

[GaryA]

I would guess most folks that want working sheaves make their own blocks in pieces same as an actual block with tail piece, crown, etc. They look great on the largest blocks but maybe not worth the effort on smaller blocks as the line running through the block obscures most of the view of the sheave in most cases.
Allan

The dead eyes, I can make, but the single blocks are tiny, on a block only 73 thou wide, not achievable with the sheave, nor the double sheave block either, so I will make a mock-up and try to make them as real as I can.

 

[dockattner]

The dead eyes, I can make, but the single blocks are tiny, on a block only 73 thou wide, not achievable with the sheave, nor the double sheave block either, so I will make a mock-up and try to make them as real as I can.

Do you have a small mill, Gary? If so, here is how Ondras makes blocks:

Roter Löwe 1597 by Ondras71 - scala 1/60

Witaj Ondras wygląda jak prawdziwy, świetne wykonanie .Pozdrawiam Mirek

shipsofscale.com

Roter Löwe 1597 by Ondras71 - scala 1/60

Thank you very much Paul and Mirek.Coffee-Cup All five Stays Mouse done.. Shrouds and Stay Mouse are strung..Explosion

shipsofscale.com

There are several others but it would take some hunting down.

I am not aware of anyone putting working sheaves in miniature blocks.

 

[GaryA]

Do you have a small mill, Gary? If so, here is how Ondras makes blocks:

Roter Löwe 1597 by Ondras71 - scala 1/60

Witaj Ondras wygląda jak prawdziwy, świetne wykonanie .Pozdrawiam Mirek

shipsofscale.com

Roter Löwe 1597 by Ondras71 - scala 1/60

Thank you very much Paul and Mirek.Coffee-Cup All five Stays Mouse done.. Shrouds and Stay Mouse are strung..Explosion

shipsofscale.com

There are several others but it would take some hunting down.

I am not aware of anyone putting working sheaves in miniature blocks.

Wow, that blew me away. I have a small and very old lathe that I use like a Milling machine. I will give it a go once I get a chance to do so. BTW, what a modeller he is!
You know, I put in a search on SOS, but I did not dig up Ondras's page. Got it now though.

 

[Corsair]

Some people don't make them, but buy them. There are many merchants out there and there are a number that are on these forums.
of course, there are MANY different sizes on a single ship, so there is not one that is 1/48 scale. Most merchants will sell several different sizes and types.

 

[Roger Pellett]

There are many different ways to make blocks depending on scale and available tooling. For the relatively large blocks required for 1:48 scale, the “stick” method works fine if you have a Byrnes or, other miniature table saw and a way to accurately drill small holes.

Using the table saw:
1. Rip a stick of hard close grained wood to the cross sectional dimensions of the block.

2. Cut one or more deep grooves in the both the top and bottom of the stick.

3. Cut one shallow grooves in in each side of the stick.

Using the drill:
1. Drill a pair of holes spaced the diameter of the sheave through the deep grooves of the stick. The result will be a row of pairs of holes along the stick.

2. With a tiny burr, soften the inside edges of the each hole to replicate the circular shape of the sheave.

With your favorite hand tools, carve but do nor separate from the stick each end of each block. Files or better yet emery boards can be used to smooth sharp corners.

Using a razor hand saw, cut each block from the stick. A needle file should be used to extend the shallow groove to hold the strop across the top and bottom of the block. I have a collection of simple homemade wooden miter boxes that I use for cutting multiple small pieces to exact lengths. I don’t like the aluminum miter boxes that come with razor saw kits.

Roger

 

[Roger Pellett]

Some of my homemade blocks; 1:32 scale

 

[AllanKP69]

Using a razor hand saw, cut each block from the stick. A needle file should be used to extend the shallow groove to hold the strop across the top and bottom of the block.

This is pretty much what I have done for block making but added one more step. Sand them in a block sander with a drill. Hand held drill works great. See Tricks of the Trade https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/tricks-of-the-trade.15492/ post #3 Check every 20 or 30 seconds to be sure it is not too much. Good wood like box or castello will take a will longer than bass or other soft woods.
Allan

 

[Rob444]

Here are some helpful videos

Rob