combine chain wear blocks

Has any one tried making their own replacements? (I'm looking at my L3)

Is there anything special about the wood?   It looks like oak?

What about hard plastic?

Some chains use a steel roller for a tensioner, is there any advantages to wood?

I made a bunch out of oak using my metal bandsaw. The radius is a little too tight for my blade but it will work. They don't seem to last as long. I'm not sure if there is a wax or oil impregnated into the wood or if is a different wood type. My next thought is if it's possible to get wax soaked into the wood for better lubrication and oil these chains more frequently than specified.
The new block I used for a pattern did not look like oak to me.

Edited by plummerscarin - 24 Oct 2019 at 10:24am

I’ve seen both the wood and plastic idler blocks, as well as some replaced with a steel idler pulley.
When I make wood blocks, I let them soak in oil until I need them. I don’t know if there’s much to my theory, but it seems as the block heats up during use, the oil kinda wicks up through it, helping lubricate the chain. But maybe it’s all in my head?

Po folks got po ways, as my grandfather usedta say...  I've made many a wear block, in my day!  White oak is good, locust better, delrin probably best.  And of course, soak in oil, fer a coupla years, if possible!  Our submarines, at one time used lignum vitae, about the hardest wood on earth, for shaft bearings, at one time!

What's the part number. Curious if we have any. Thanks

I've made many of them out of high density plastic. Just got some 2 inch thick stuff and cut em with a hole saw. They are round instead of the odd shape. Used as big of a hole saw as I what would fit for the application. Darrel

ac hunter wrote:      I thought the wear blocks used to be made of hard maple impregnated with oil.

I agree.

the maple works an last the best for me used red maple.