Tufnol blocks

[Fr. Pat]

I am interested in information from people that have used tufnol blocks. I like their look and want to use them on a wooden boat I am building. How does their strenght compare and what about longevity? I am also looking for cam cleats that would match them. Are their Cams in tufnol? Are their other cams that have not such a modern look. I am trying to stay away from the cost of bronze. Thanks

[Fr. Pat]

I am interested in information from people that have used tufnol blocks. I like their look and want to use them on a wooden boat I am building. How does their strenght compare and what about longevity? I am also looking for cam cleats that would match them. Are their Cams in tufnol? Are their other cams that have not such a modern look. I am trying to stay away from the cost of bronze. Thanks

[Fr. Pat]

I am interested in information from people that have used tufnol blocks. I like their look and want to use them on a wooden boat I am building. How does their strenght compare and what about longevity? I am also looking for cam cleats that would match them. Are their Cams in tufnol? Are their other cams that have not such a modern look. I am trying to stay away from the cost of bronze. Thanks

[Tom Lathrop]

Memory says that tufnol is the name given in the UK for phenol-fiber. It lasts pretty much forever but, in my opinion, is not very handsome. Used to be found in any chandlery but seldom seen these days. Longivity is good but cam cleats do wear much more than stainless or bronze.

Tufnol is certainly more "modern" than bronze and cam cleats are a fairly new item anyway. Horn cleats and belaying pins were standard fare in times past and they can be got from locust or other woods.

[This message has been edited by Tom Lathrop (edited 01-25-2002).]

[Tom Lathrop]

Memory says that tufnol is the name given in the UK for phenol-fiber. It lasts pretty much forever but, in my opinion, is not very handsome. Used to be found in any chandlery but seldom seen these days. Longivity is good but cam cleats do wear much more than stainless or bronze.

Tufnol is certainly more "modern" than bronze and cam cleats are a fairly new item anyway. Horn cleats and belaying pins were standard fare in times past and they can be got from locust or other woods.

[This message has been edited by Tom Lathrop (edited 01-25-2002).]

[Tom Lathrop]

Memory says that tufnol is the name given in the UK for phenol-fiber. It lasts pretty much forever but, in my opinion, is not very handsome. Used to be found in any chandlery but seldom seen these days. Longivity is good but cam cleats do wear much more than stainless or bronze.

Tufnol is certainly more "modern" than bronze and cam cleats are a fairly new item anyway. Horn cleats and belaying pins were standard fare in times past and they can be got from locust or other woods.

[This message has been edited by Tom Lathrop (edited 01-25-2002).]

[Mike Keers]

My last boat had Tuffnol blocks, and they were stock when the boat was new in 1965. I sailed the boat for ten years and crossed the Pacific with most of them still in use a coupla years ago--and they're still on there and working fine. I did replace the blocks for the jib sheets with Harkens, just because there are no bearings in the Tuffnol ones. I think it's sort of self-lubricating. But I definately wanted roller bearing blocks for the sheets. Mainsheet tackle was still Tuffnol, and it had cam cleats built into the lower block, just like the new stuff.

I do not know if anyone is still making them, but there is "new old stock" around...Minney's in Newport Beach, Cal has many types, brand new, but old. I bought a bunch of fiddle blocks and others last trip out there. I can't remember the brand offhand, perhaps Nicro-Fico...they're out in my shop in the 'tackle box'.

They do make cam cleats, and I've had them, but they're tough on the rope...I'd go with a cleat instead. As for appearance, the new ones I have are a beautiful deep shade of brownish-red. After 35 years, the ones on the boat faded to a very light tan, with the weave showing thru. I've never broken one in use.

They show up on eBay, and as noted, in boat junk shops. Keep your eyes open if you're set on them, they're out there.

[Mike Keers]

My last boat had Tuffnol blocks, and they were stock when the boat was new in 1965. I sailed the boat for ten years and crossed the Pacific with most of them still in use a coupla years ago--and they're still on there and working fine. I did replace the blocks for the jib sheets with Harkens, just because there are no bearings in the Tuffnol ones. I think it's sort of self-lubricating. But I definately wanted roller bearing blocks for the sheets. Mainsheet tackle was still Tuffnol, and it had cam cleats built into the lower block, just like the new stuff.

I do not know if anyone is still making them, but there is "new old stock" around...Minney's in Newport Beach, Cal has many types, brand new, but old. I bought a bunch of fiddle blocks and others last trip out there. I can't remember the brand offhand, perhaps Nicro-Fico...they're out in my shop in the 'tackle box'.

They do make cam cleats, and I've had them, but they're tough on the rope...I'd go with a cleat instead. As for appearance, the new ones I have are a beautiful deep shade of brownish-red. After 35 years, the ones on the boat faded to a very light tan, with the weave showing thru. I've never broken one in use.

They show up on eBay, and as noted, in boat junk shops. Keep your eyes open if you're set on them, they're out there.

[Mike Keers]

My last boat had Tuffnol blocks, and they were stock when the boat was new in 1965. I sailed the boat for ten years and crossed the Pacific with most of them still in use a coupla years ago--and they're still on there and working fine. I did replace the blocks for the jib sheets with Harkens, just because there are no bearings in the Tuffnol ones. I think it's sort of self-lubricating. But I definately wanted roller bearing blocks for the sheets. Mainsheet tackle was still Tuffnol, and it had cam cleats built into the lower block, just like the new stuff.

I do not know if anyone is still making them, but there is "new old stock" around...Minney's in Newport Beach, Cal has many types, brand new, but old. I bought a bunch of fiddle blocks and others last trip out there. I can't remember the brand offhand, perhaps Nicro-Fico...they're out in my shop in the 'tackle box'.

They do make cam cleats, and I've had them, but they're tough on the rope...I'd go with a cleat instead. As for appearance, the new ones I have are a beautiful deep shade of brownish-red. After 35 years, the ones on the boat faded to a very light tan, with the weave showing thru. I've never broken one in use.

They show up on eBay, and as noted, in boat junk shops. Keep your eyes open if you're set on them, they're out there.

[John R Smith]

Pat

we have all tufnol blocks on Lulu, and they seem to work (and last) just fine. I've got some really big 'uns on the mainsheet, a cheek block for the topping lift, and various other little ones scattered around.

Our local chandler (good old Mark) still stocks a good range of tufnol blocks, but they are pretty expensive.

John

[John R Smith]

Pat

we have all tufnol blocks on Lulu, and they seem to work (and last) just fine. I've got some really big 'uns on the mainsheet, a cheek block for the topping lift, and various other little ones scattered around.

Our local chandler (good old Mark) still stocks a good range of tufnol blocks, but they are pretty expensive.

John

[John R Smith]

Pat

we have all tufnol blocks on Lulu, and they seem to work (and last) just fine. I've got some really big 'uns on the mainsheet, a cheek block for the topping lift, and various other little ones scattered around.

Our local chandler (good old Mark) still stocks a good range of tufnol blocks, but they are pretty expensive.

John

[Jon Agne]

Moray MacPhail at Classic Marine has these in stock. His web site provider just failed, but I imagine he will be posting a new web address here on the forum soon.

[Jon Agne]

Moray MacPhail at Classic Marine has these in stock. His web site provider just failed, but I imagine he will be posting a new web address here on the forum soon.

[Jon Agne]

Moray MacPhail at Classic Marine has these in stock. His web site provider just failed, but I imagine he will be posting a new web address here on the forum soon.

[Stephen]

I've seen tufnul blocks with wooden cheeks epoxied to them - looked pretty good.

[Stephen]

I've seen tufnul blocks with wooden cheeks epoxied to them - looked pretty good.

[Stephen]

I've seen tufnul blocks with wooden cheeks epoxied to them - looked pretty good.

[Ed Harrow]

Tufnol? Are these made from Micarta, or similar (linen/epoxy). I note a reference to weave. Just curious as we use that stuff at the salt mine in our cryogenic refrigerators.

[Ed Harrow]

Tufnol? Are these made from Micarta, or similar (linen/epoxy). I note a reference to weave. Just curious as we use that stuff at the salt mine in our cryogenic refrigerators.

[Ed Harrow]

Tufnol? Are these made from Micarta, or similar (linen/epoxy). I note a reference to weave. Just curious as we use that stuff at the salt mine in our cryogenic refrigerators.

[Todd Schliemann]

Norseman Gibb, now owned by NAVTEC, has tufnol blocks, including cams. They are called the "Classic Range." I replaced the entire set of blocks on my boat with these. They have performed very well and tufnol blocks were original to the boat.

[Todd Schliemann]

Norseman Gibb, now owned by NAVTEC, has tufnol blocks, including cams. They are called the "Classic Range." I replaced the entire set of blocks on my boat with these. They have performed very well and tufnol blocks were original to the boat.

[Todd Schliemann]

Norseman Gibb, now owned by NAVTEC, has tufnol blocks, including cams. They are called the "Classic Range." I replaced the entire set of blocks on my boat with these. They have performed very well and tufnol blocks were original to the boat.

[Mike Keers]

I just passed some info to Father Pat offlist, but maybe you guys can add something else--aside from all the useful stuff so far. The blocks I have are made in Holland,and the logo is a circle, with what appears to be 'HME" or 'HYE' in the center of the circle. Anybody know who the manufacturer is/was? Enquiring minds need to know...the 37-year old blocks on my boat turned out to be the same as the 'new' ones I bought at Minney's Surplus a year ago.

Ed, yes, it's that phenolic fiber-reinforced reddish stuff.

[Mike Keers]

I just passed some info to Father Pat offlist, but maybe you guys can add something else--aside from all the useful stuff so far. The blocks I have are made in Holland,and the logo is a circle, with what appears to be 'HME" or 'HYE' in the center of the circle. Anybody know who the manufacturer is/was? Enquiring minds need to know...the 37-year old blocks on my boat turned out to be the same as the 'new' ones I bought at Minney's Surplus a year ago.

Ed, yes, it's that phenolic fiber-reinforced reddish stuff.

[Mike Keers]

I just passed some info to Father Pat offlist, but maybe you guys can add something else--aside from all the useful stuff so far. The blocks I have are made in Holland,and the logo is a circle, with what appears to be 'HME" or 'HYE' in the center of the circle. Anybody know who the manufacturer is/was? Enquiring minds need to know...the 37-year old blocks on my boat turned out to be the same as the 'new' ones I bought at Minney's Surplus a year ago.

Ed, yes, it's that phenolic fiber-reinforced reddish stuff.

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Further, "Tufnol" is a brand name, and the company makes a range of pressure laminates from various materials. The "traditional" tufnol we boaties usually see is phenolic linen or phenolic cotton. The latter is still available, and comes in colours including dark brown and black. The brown is pretty-well indistinguishable from timber at more than a couple of feet. (We often use tufnol for sheaves although not generally for cheeks of blocks.)

See --

http://www.tufnol.com/manufact.htm

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Further, "Tufnol" is a brand name, and the company makes a range of pressure laminates from various materials. The "traditional" tufnol we boaties usually see is phenolic linen or phenolic cotton. The latter is still available, and comes in colours including dark brown and black. The brown is pretty-well indistinguishable from timber at more than a couple of feet. (We often use tufnol for sheaves although not generally for cheeks of blocks.)

See --

http://www.tufnol.com/manufact.htm

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Further, "Tufnol" is a brand name, and the company makes a range of pressure laminates from various materials. The "traditional" tufnol we boaties usually see is phenolic linen or phenolic cotton. The latter is still available, and comes in colours including dark brown and black. The brown is pretty-well indistinguishable from timber at more than a couple of feet. (We often use tufnol for sheaves although not generally for cheeks of blocks.)

See --

http://www.tufnol.com/manufact.htm

[Todd Schliemann]

By way of reference the blocks that I mentioned above were/are made by "Main" in England. Norseman Gibb seems to own them now and they in turn are owned by Navtec. My original tufnol blocks of 35 years ago were made by Main.

The "Main" made tufnol blocks are generally the color of varnished mahogany as seen from 15 feet away. They have Stainless Steel appointments and are very hearty.

[Todd Schliemann]

By way of reference the blocks that I mentioned above were/are made by "Main" in England. Norseman Gibb seems to own them now and they in turn are owned by Navtec. My original tufnol blocks of 35 years ago were made by Main.

The "Main" made tufnol blocks are generally the color of varnished mahogany as seen from 15 feet away. They have Stainless Steel appointments and are very hearty.

[Todd Schliemann]

By way of reference the blocks that I mentioned above were/are made by "Main" in England. Norseman Gibb seems to own them now and they in turn are owned by Navtec. My original tufnol blocks of 35 years ago were made by Main.

The "Main" made tufnol blocks are generally the color of varnished mahogany as seen from 15 feet away. They have Stainless Steel appointments and are very hearty.

[Ian Wright]

Yes, Main were the makers. At one time they sold a very comprihensive range in all sizes and were happy to custom build. The original owner sold out years ago. Whoever owns them now has them priced at the Harken end of the market... sad.
Still worth buying though, if you are after sound blocks with a traditional look.
IanW.

[Ian Wright]

Yes, Main were the makers. At one time they sold a very comprihensive range in all sizes and were happy to custom build. The original owner sold out years ago. Whoever owns them now has them priced at the Harken end of the market... sad.
Still worth buying though, if you are after sound blocks with a traditional look.
IanW.

[Ian Wright]

Yes, Main were the makers. At one time they sold a very comprihensive range in all sizes and were happy to custom build. The original owner sold out years ago. Whoever owns them now has them priced at the Harken end of the market... sad.
Still worth buying though, if you are after sound blocks with a traditional look.
IanW.

[Todd Schliemann]

New tufnol block by "Main," England for reference. Norseman Gibb Main as supplied by NAVTEC

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/pec4b3634448dc2abe1b4786b092ec22c/fdf8c286.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292083703&idx=1




[This message has been edited by Todd Schliemann (edited 01-30-2002).]

[Todd Schliemann]

New tufnol block by "Main," England for reference. Norseman Gibb Main as supplied by NAVTEC

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/pec4b3634448dc2abe1b4786b092ec22c/fdf8c286.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292083703&idx=1




[This message has been edited by Todd Schliemann (edited 01-30-2002).]

[Todd Schliemann]

New tufnol block by "Main," England for reference. Norseman Gibb Main as supplied by NAVTEC

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/pec4b3634448dc2abe1b4786b092ec22c/fdf8c286.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292083703&idx=1




[This message has been edited by Todd Schliemann (edited 01-30-2002).]

[Plum]

You can get Tufnol blocks from: http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/mall/Catindex.htm
the ones on my boat are 12 years old and in perfect working order. They look better that the regular plastic ones and need no maintenance as do the wooden ones.

[Plum]

You can get Tufnol blocks from: http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/mall/Catindex.htm
the ones on my boat are 12 years old and in perfect working order. They look better that the regular plastic ones and need no maintenance as do the wooden ones.

[Plum]

You can get Tufnol blocks from: http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/mall/Catindex.htm
the ones on my boat are 12 years old and in perfect working order. They look better that the regular plastic ones and need no maintenance as do the wooden ones.

[Lion]

Have had the experience of Tufnol blocks and cam cleats on three boats over the years ranging from a sadly neglegted racing dinghy to a small heavy displacement cruising yacht, whose were original and about 35 years in use when she passed from my care. All worked fine with absolutely no maintinance.
As to appearance, I think they can be a reasonable compromise in lieu of wood, and are certaily a better proposition than contempory S/S and plastic, and more affordable than bronze!
In fact, they are very authentic with designs and styles from the 50's and 60's. If you like them, you will not be disapointed with their performance. Go for it!

[Lion]

Have had the experience of Tufnol blocks and cam cleats on three boats over the years ranging from a sadly neglegted racing dinghy to a small heavy displacement cruising yacht, whose were original and about 35 years in use when she passed from my care. All worked fine with absolutely no maintinance.
As to appearance, I think they can be a reasonable compromise in lieu of wood, and are certaily a better proposition than contempory S/S and plastic, and more affordable than bronze!
In fact, they are very authentic with designs and styles from the 50's and 60's. If you like them, you will not be disapointed with their performance. Go for it!

[Lion]

Have had the experience of Tufnol blocks and cam cleats on three boats over the years ranging from a sadly neglegted racing dinghy to a small heavy displacement cruising yacht, whose were original and about 35 years in use when she passed from my care. All worked fine with absolutely no maintinance.
As to appearance, I think they can be a reasonable compromise in lieu of wood, and are certaily a better proposition than contempory S/S and plastic, and more affordable than bronze!
In fact, they are very authentic with designs and styles from the 50's and 60's. If you like them, you will not be disapointed with their performance. Go for it!