Miniature Block and Tackle

[SGW]

The other day I was rummaging around the parts drawers in the hardware store and found some miniature pulleys (sheaves) 1 1/2" in diamter with a ball bearing center, for about four bucks apiece. They inspired this miniature block and tackle.
Working load limit is 60 pounds because of the brass hooks I chose. I figure the rest of it is good for 220 pounds, the working load for the connecting links. It will do to hoist bicycles up to the garage rafters.

[Lew Hartswick]

Those are "cute" enough for just a "work of art" demo. Wish I had a pair. What kind of hardware was it?
...lew...

[SGW]

It turns out the "sheaves" are rollers for sliding doors. Google "sliding glass door rollers" to see some. The through-bolts are 1/4" diameter barrel bolts, sometimes called sex bolts. The wood is 3/8" thick cherry, the connector links are 1/8". The bars recessed into the wood cheeks and the center divider are aluminum, 1/8" thick hardware store stuff, probably 6061. I used that for ease of machining, and it's more than strong enough, 40,000 psi yield point.

(n.b. it's not clear to me how you can have a sliding door with rollers, but that's what the listings say.)

[kendall]

Nice looking tackle. I'll have to remember the sliding door rollers.
The rollers are on the bottom of the door.

That's also the way I take care of my bicycles, best way ever to keep them out of the way.

[Paul Alciatore]

I have purchased pulleys from the farm type stores: Orschlen and Tractor Supply. They usually have a good assortment.

[Rosco-P]

I have purchased pulleys from the farm type stores: Orschlen and Tractor Supply. They usually have a good assortment.

For metal pulley blocks, a marine supply like West Marine.

[johnd]

Nice project! I'm a big fan of what I've always called a "fence stretcher" since that's what I used them for on the farm as a kid. They are just a little bigger, maybe 1/4" to 3/8" rope, and have a cam operated lock to hold tension on the pull rope. Hold the pull rope out away from the load and release, and the lock holds, give a straight pull in line with load, to release to free wheeling function. I don't know if the locking ones are still made, might be an OSHA thing, but they work fantastic if you understand them. Maybe you could trick yours out with a similar lock!

[The Artful Bodger]

Fence stretcher? I saved one of these wire strainers when we left the farm and find it very useful especially when used with a long chain.

[elf]

Now, you just need to splice some eyes in each end of the rope

[SGW]

If it was laid rope, I would splice in some eyes. Splicing braided rope is beyond me.