Advantages with walnut blocks over standard ones?

[Stuka]

Hello 

Im putting together an order on the Vanguard speedy and I see that its optional to buy Walnut blocks that replace the standard ones in the kit.  What advantages do these have over the normal ones anybody know?

[Keith Black]

 IMHO, both walnut and yellow wood blocks are too light in color and both need to be stained. Walnut will take stain easier but becomes too dark. Yellow wood blocks are harder to stain and require soaking in stain overnight. I like the irregularities yellow wood blocks have after staining and seem a little more realistic. Walnut blocks when stained become brown lumps, IMHO. I work at 1:120 so larger scaled blocks may (and I would expect) provide different results. 

[Knocklouder]

I think they are  the same just a different option on how you want it to look, just like  the decision you will have to make for the hull. Copper tiles, copper tape or paint the hull.  Like they say your boat, MSW just shows you how to make them float, it's builders choice 

Bob  M.

PS

Plus what Keith says lol

Edited Thursday at 07:32 PM by Knocklouder
More info

[Stuka]

Thanks for the input. Alright then so its mostly about the visuals then

[georgeband]

Robin,

There is another thread on a very similar topic in the 'masts rigging and sails' section of the forum which you might not have seen. It has comparisons between standard (cheap) blocks, fine wooden blocks, laminated card and 3D printed. The conclusion from my perspective is that 3D printed is the best looking option. Other opinions are available. 

 

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/36649-blocks-wood-card-or-3d-resin/#elControls_1046969_menu

 

Regards,

George

[wefalck]

Plus 3D-printed ones can be painted in any colour and shade thereof you consider (after research) represents the original ...

[vossiewulf]

29 minutes ago, wefalck said:

Plus 3D-printed ones can be painted in any colour and shade thereof you consider (after research) represents the original ...

Yeah but simulating wood with paint is a whole thing in and of itself, requiring at least two colors (one translucent) for best results and doing that without clogging the sheave holes would be a problem on smaller blocks. 

[wefalck]

I spray-paint with acrylics and apply acrylic washes to my blocks milled from bakelite-paper and never had a serious problem. One can always ream the holes with a drill.

 

As normally the sheave would be defined in the 3D-printed version, the actual hole is very short.