rwiederrich

I finished up 15 gin blocks.  One getting painted……the original and these boys and girls.    Man what tiny metal work. 
 

Rob

Per Rich’s suggestion, I added name boards to the wheel box.   Just for fun.  
They’re about 3.5 8ths long. 
 

Rob

Made six more.  
 

There is always compromise when building in scale. Something’s just don’t scale very well….so…..you need to make adjustments. 
 

When all’s said and done, being in scale outweighs any mods you need to make to keep it so.   And in my scale of 1/96, I have lots of room to fudge.  😆

Rob

And the final product.  
If I had made the sheeves any larger, the chain would never fit.  Or I’d have to make the block waaaay to big and out of scale. 
 

Now I’m ready to cut the metal sheeve and install it 

Using micro bits, I do a little clean up. 
 

Then comes the separation from the stock tubing. Again using my dental hand tool and separating disk. 
 

Next ……. simply solder it in place 

Next I make the eyelet by twisting brass wire. 
Then I insert it between the two upper frame wings. 
 

Next I use my dental tool and separator disk and cut off two end corners.  This will create the desired shape of the block.  
 

Then I deform it by using a small hammer. 
 

We’ll here is my tutorial on how I make my 1/8” gin blocks. 
 

First I begin with 1/8” copper tube. 
 

1 hour ago, Rick310 said:

Rob, those gin blocks are especially well done!  Mine almost killed me!   Beautiful job on the helm as well!!

Rick

Thanks Rick.   Tomorrow I’ll show exactly how I make one.   It’s quite easy actually. 
 

The real trick is knowing how to force the perspective of its function.  
 

You see, for a chain to properly fit in and around the sheeve, the body frame of the block must be large enough.  However, if the sheeve is too large the chain binds between the sheeve and the frame of the block 

To prevent this from happening and to keep the block frame within the desired scale of 1/8”, you have to undersize the sheeve. The chain I use is the smallest available at 42LPI  and it still needs room to move within the block. 
 

A true scale gin block is probably less then 3/32”. in this scale of 1/96.  No one can make them that small and not go mad. 
 

Bluejacket doesn’t even use iron stropped gin blocks on their  Red Jacket clipper model.  Just large single blocks without a truck strong back tied to yard bands.  So I have a ways to go.  
 

I’d like to see your gin blocks. 
 

Rob

1 hour ago, Dr PR said:

Rob,

 

Very nice work!

 

For me making a bunch of tiny complicated parts like this is like banging my head against the wall - because it is so nice when it stops.

I definitely have to work over my towel in my desk drawer to keep from losing them, when they eventually slip from my fingers.  
 Thanks for looking in.  

Rob

Finished up 5 more gin blocks.   That makes six.   Still need 10 or so more. Painted them and still need to clean them up and finish them off. 
It only takes about 35 minutes a piece.  
A little hammering, 3 cuts,  one soldering of the eyelet, micro internal grinding, place the sheeve and TaDa……

Rob

Goodness John,  I'm just now getting a good look at your restoration log.  Very fine work and refurbishment indeed.  What a task for sure.  As usual,......research, research, research.

Very impressive endeavor..

Rob

1 hour ago, uscharin said:

Once blackened they look very, very convincing.  So tiny.  Great work, and how many do you need to make?

About 15 or so.  🤪. Thanks 

Rob

I began soldering the next one.  Final grinding is next. 
 

Rob

I blackened the gin block. 
That is 42LPI chain. 
 

Rob

I’m beginning to build the first of many gin blocks.    Here are some pics of construction. They are less then 1/8” wide.  Tony boogers.   
Coper soldered and with metal sheeves.   
 

Rob

I finished the helm by adding the wheel.  
 

Rob

A bit more research shows that the Staghound was larger than the Flying fish.  17 Ft longer and 29 tons heavier.  Duncan McLean says the Fish employed *double topsail yard Tye's and haulyards.  Well, the Staghound had 4ft longer main topsail yards then did the Flying Fish.  However, Duncan McLean doesn't describe the Staghound having *double* Tye's and haulyards. He simply says, "Tye's and haulyards.  I can only assume he wasn't that clear when describing his first McKay clipper. As far as her rigging was concerned.

If the Flying Fish had them...and she was smaller in every regard....I can only conclude the Staghound employed them as well.

Rob

Rick, I was reviewing your log *again*, Well, first of all, I want to say you have done a superb job for sure...your build is so clean and neat...not to mention well built.  You're like myself in that you tend to scratch build many components yourself..🙂...Oh wait....I scratch build everything.......😄

Anyway.  have you researched the single topsail Jin block haulyard...yourself, or are you simply following the kit plan?  I ask....because the Staghound also had a single topsail yard and, I will be rigging her in similar fashion....but I want to make sure the system you used is the same used for Staghound...or if different, I want to make sure I know this in advance.

Rob

Started on the helm steering box.  First coat of paint....still needs sanding and another coat....plus the addition of the wheel.

Rob