Wooden Block Restoration

[Delta Fox]

For those of you who have old wooden blocks, like Merrimans, and can't figure out how to take them apart without destroying the wood, I've got a solution!

Merrimans (and maybe others) are clamped together by bronze screws that are virtually impossible to back out. My solution was to construct a make shift hollow drill from 1/8" round copper rod that you can buy at a model train store. Cut the rod to approximately 2 " and put in a regular electric drill. Carefully start the drill over the bronze screw. It will try to jump around until it starts to cut the wood. But once it starts, it will cut cleanly through the wood along the path of the old bronze screw. I'm using new SS threaded rods which you can buy at most hardware stores to reassemble the blocks after I've repaired everything.

[James S]

Thanks for the excellent tip.
I admit that I have replaced all mine.

[Blue Stocking]

Delta Fox,

If you decide to build some blocks, Hervey Garrett Smith's book, The Marlinspike Sailor, has an excellent chapter on the subject.
I referred to it many times when building some rope-stropped runner blocks for my Friendship sloop, and when re-building Bluestocking.
Great shot in your album.