tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25271120.post116052380632827758..comments2023-04-26T04:37:40.058-04:00Comments on Zen and the Art of Bicycle Building: tubing blocksEthan Labowitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149378864023260471noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25271120.post-1162500369383969902006-11-02T15:46:00.000-05:002006-11-02T15:46:00.000-05:00I made some using scrap, soft maple and they've la...I made some using scrap, soft maple and they've lasted five years.<BR/><BR/>Also, use an old piece of leather to fasten the two halves together so they don't get separted.<BR/><BR/>-Matthew/KogswellAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25271120.post-1160673021825303822006-10-12T13:10:00.000-04:002006-10-12T13:10:00.000-04:00Ethan,I've always used offcuts of softwood. I dril...Ethan,<BR/><BR/>I've always used offcuts of softwood. I drill a biggish hole with a twist bit and bore to size using a spade.<BR/><BR/>It'll sometimes smoke but I just back off a little before going at it again. <BR/><BR/>I'm sure something like maple would be great and last for a long time but it takes me less than 5 minutes to do a new block and I've usually got more than enough softwood off-cuts kicking about.<BR/><BR/>If I had and endless amount of time I might think about making up some nice finished blocks but there are other things I'd rather spend my time on. <BR/><BR/>I'm sure they all pretty much work the same anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25271120.post-1160632043743422532006-10-12T01:47:00.000-04:002006-10-12T01:47:00.000-04:00steven-do you make your blocks out of maple or wha...steven-<BR/><BR/>do you make your blocks out of maple or what?<BR/>have any suggestions for drilling out hardwood? i'm thinking of pre-drilling a few smaller holes with twist bits to lighten the load on the big spade bit.<BR/><BR/>-EthanEthan Labowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18149378864023260471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25271120.post-1160596391683211932006-10-11T15:53:00.000-04:002006-10-11T15:53:00.000-04:00Just a quick suggestion. I always cut my blocks th...Just a quick suggestion. I always cut my blocks then clamp them back together before drilling/boring. If you do it the other way, the material you remove when splitting the block always makes the block to tight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com