wood block construction ?

[c.grillo]

I am a novice here and searched the forum first but found nothing. I will be rerigging a 42 ft schooner and want to make rope stropped blocks. Yes, it's winter and I'm looking for indoor projects, have time and not enough money but want wood anyway. I would be interested in hearing the pros and cons of built up vs solid construction and any tricks to each method...and/or a good book/article on specifics. I will have aprox 30 for 1/2" line (about 1/2 of those doubles), 30 for 3/8 and a half dozen 5/16.

I have access to local elm or ash and several sawmills within spitting distance...any other recomendations for wood?

Anyone have a good source for durlin in 5/8, 1/2, and 3/8?

Rules for axle diameter? (I plan on bushing the sheave)

Rules for sizing the diameter of line for the strop grommet?

I recieved some samples of "spunflex" and like working with it better than dacron. I don't find much written about it except it isn't as strong or chafe resistant. Does anyone have recomendations on sheave size? On the spunflex in general?

I appreceate any direction available.
Conrad