Bronze thimbles

[Breeeze]

Does anyone know a good source for bronze, or brass thimbles?

Thanks for info,

Breeze

http://web.mac.com/w123.153/iWeb/Breeze

[Howard Sharp]

You could try http://www.sailrite.com/,although I think their size selection is limited.

[DerekW]

Round brass ones (http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/misc/thimbles/index.htm) in 5 sizes from Duckworks.

[kc8pql]

Port Townsend Foundry
http://www.porttownsendfoundry.com/id62.htm

[BrianM]

You can make them yourself from copper water pipe if so inclined.
Heat to red, drop in water.
Place trailer hitch ball in vise.
Place copper water pipe section on top of sphere.
Place second trailer hitch sphere on top of copper water pipe section.

Apply hammer repeatedly.

Reheat and cool as needed.

Excellent and cheap thimbles are the result.

My main sheet blocks utilize these and have performed fine for years.

[Bob Cleek]

Hey, Brian, thanks for the trailer hitch idea. Pretty neat. Not that I have two hitch balls the same size laying around, but, what the heck.

[BrianM]

Hey Bob,

:p Trailer hitch balls were all I had lying around at the time I needed thimbles. 2 1/2" ball size, using 3/4" water pipe produced thimbles with final ID of about 1 1/4" and OD of rougly 1 3/4". I sized them for 1/2" line.

Now that I have my lathe, I'm gonna try and make up a set of "proper" tools.

I'll post pics once I get to making another set. I'm currently milling up a bunch of lumber for a huge batch of blocks.

[BrianM]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df04b3127cceb55a2545abef00000026100FZsWrly3Ym

HOME-MADE THIMBLES

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df04b3127cceb55a2543abe900000025130FZsWrly3Ym

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df04b3127cceb55a387a6a7600000026100FZsWrly3Ym

[Bob Triggs]

www.woodenboat.org (http://www.woodenboat.org)

Look Up the Chandlery,

Adam there is your man. He can find it!

[Bill Perkins]

Traditional Marine has them . http://www.traditionalmarine.com/hardware/1-100web/css/1-100web_71.htm