Sources for rigging blocks?

I usually get my rigging stuff from Model Expo. I have always been satisfied with the quality.

Thanks guys. Most helpful :-)

Arnie,

Check out Chuck Passaro's company for phenomenal blocks etc... at

www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com

Chuck is here in the States and has designed a number of wooden ships over the years and he started the company after another European company that had great blocks went AWOL.

Another European company, The Model-Shipyard deals mainly in paper models but they have some cool blocks made from card stock that actually after painting you couldn't tell that they were made out of paper and not wood.

www.model-shipyard.com/.../blokiuk.html

Hope this helps on your Connie build, which is looking great by the way.

Steve

The quality from Syren looks amazing. The best I have seen yet.  I will definitely order some from them.  And I am blown away by the paper blocks. I would never have guessed you could do that. I may have to order some of them just for fun. [I am also amazed at the ship models they have. Paper?!! Really?!! Wow!!]  Thanks so much for the leads.

No problem and you are welcome.  I have massive quantities of ModelExpo blocks that I use a block tumbler on to round them out a bit.  However, now that I have built a few models, I really want to give my ships something extra, so I have checking out other sources of blocks and rigging line.  

When I'm not on the iPad, I'll add a link to a female modeler in Europe that does amazing paper model sailing ships.  I wish I could do the level of work in plastic that she does in paper.

Steve

I just ordered the 2mm SB and 2mm DB from Syrene to run the side tackle on the caronades. If they are anything like the picture, I will be glad to have paid a little extra for them. Their cordage looks pretty nice too. I may order some as well when I get closer to rigging time.

Those blocks from Mr. Passaro do look outstanding - and the prices are remarkably low.  I'm not sure whether they'll ween me away from Bluejacket's (my longtime favorite - though Arnie's reservations certainly are justified), but I intend to order some and take a careful look.  

Bluejacket blocks and deadeyes can be made to look mighty nice (at least to my eye), but it does take a little effort - and good closeup vision.  If you're using unstropped ones (for a Constitution you are), and in the smaller sizes, the first thing you need to do is clean up the groove around the block with a small knife-edged file.  And you may need to ream out the sheave hole a little.  I generally count out the number I think I'll need for a work session, clean them up, and string them on a piece of fine wire.  If you want them to be black, BJ sells a liquid called Pewter Black that will blacken them chemically in a few seconds.  (It's a good idea to give them a quick spritz of Dullcoat to be sure the black doesn't rub off.)  If black isn't the right color, I shoot them (still strung on the wire) with Floquil grey metal primer, then brush paint them.  It really doesn't take long.  To me the toughest part is filing out the groove without going crosseyed.

But Mr. Passaro's wood blocks may shift my allegiance.

Wow, just went to the site of Syren and looked at those nice blocks! I'm ready to give them a try also, for the lakes schooner I am working on.

Arnie 60 ;

  You would be surprised by what's available in " Paper " How about a 1/200 KronPrinze from WW-1 or a cruise ship ? Then there's all the other warships and civilian vessels .I built a " Paper " container ship for a client at his insistance . I found out why when he brought it over .

  Can you say 1,600 parts ! Those are just the ship and first row of containers .the other three sheets were more containers .This was just a waterline model too ! They even had you build the on deck hold vents under the first row of on deck containers .Put some P E on that puppy and goodbye any competition .It's also printed in the right colors for the shipping line !

I have done three sailing ships in " Paper " (they call them " cardstock " Over on the other side of the " Pond " ) And the only thing I changed were the masts and spars .Although , with my trusty P.E. bending tool to roll them with , the paper ones came out fine .I have found though that you Cannot put a lot of strain on the rigging .So I use bamboo skewers ! .

   The blocks usually take the better part of two evenings to make . It's really a good medium and they do have Full Hull large sailing ships as well as the usual waterline type . My Plastic KronPrinze is done using the paper parts as patterns .Whatta complicated model ! Still , it's a no hurry challenge that's more relaxing than building a regular plastic kit . Plus the wooden deck goes on at the right time (I put wooden decks on all paper ships that are supposed to have them )

Why , Well the things in kits that you have to modify or remove on a Trumpeter kit for instance .You don't have to do that .All your guns will be hollow etc  . Oh , can you picture a 24 pounder and it's carriage out of paper , it's amazing !