Just thought I would show you how I went on. These are two of the four I have made. The one on the right is obviously just the shell and needs finishing. They are made of teak with a linseed oil and gum turpentine finish and are sitting on the piece of wood I made them from. I was surprised how light they are.

Excellent Mike, I have some timber that would be good, where did you get the components, plastic wheel & SS pin etc, where is the splice in the 3 strand?, cheers

Very nice job Mike well done

BlueMoon, speak to Chris the rigger, he knows where to get the plastic blocks made to order.

Hi Blue Moon,
I got the sheaves from Bink Marine. Ordered on Monday and they arrived express post Tuesday. It might be cheaper(no postage) to get them from Whitworths. They have some in stock (Brisbane) but not the size I wanted. They should get them in for you. The SS rod was sourced using the phone and driving here and there. Seems hard to get in small lengths, but was put in touch with a bloke "who might have what you need". I got a metre length for a few dollars. But he doesn't usually stock it, so I can't be helpful. The rope is actually a grommet and there are plenty of places on the web that will tell you how to make one. The longest part was cutting out the slot for the sheave. I drilled holes and then used chisel and rasp. I shaped the shells using a bench belt sander. It has been fun and they look good on my gaff rigged lapstrake dinghy.

Mike did you bash over the ends of the rod, or is it just held in-situ with the rope? cheers

Hi Blue Moon, no I just held with the rope. I got the details from "The Marlinspike Sailor" by Harvey Garret Smith.
I have only sailed her once with the blocks, but they seem good. The fit is tight, but not hammer tight. I will keep an eye on them. Cheers