Servicing wooden blocks on Historic vessel Vega
Most people are not even aware that a block is nothing more than a simple machine and like all machines, they need servicing occasionally. Since the outer jib halyard was squeaking I brought it down and while doing the job made a few pictures to share with you.
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- Here you have all that is needed to service a block. At the wise suggestion of Billy Sutton I would also add a Scotch brite pad to help cleaning the parts.
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- These are the highly complex components that make up a block. Just be careful with the newier blocks as some have ball bearings that can lead you a merry chase around the deck.
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- A block has two main parts. The shell and the actual pulley sheeve with its hanger. The bronze plates are to prevent the axle from working out.
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- Clean all the moving parts taking care to remove all the old grease then regrease and assemble. Nothing magic there. If you have a modern block with ball bearings using a lot of grease will hold them in place during assembly.
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- Screw back the covering plates and the block is ready to go.
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