Kitebuilder.com

[Steve D]

Here's another beginner question that might get a good discussion going.

Say I'm wanting to build a new kite I've never built before. Maybe its a box or some cellular kite, maybe its a flat or bowed kite of some sort. The 'plans' I'm working from don't include a lot of detail - in particular, they don't give any info about the framing components.

What recources are out there that can help me help me evaluate various framing materials and decide which material (considering diameter, weight, stiffness, sail area, etc.) might be most appropriate for my application?

Steve D

[stevef]

One real good (and growing) resource is this forum! What kind of kite do you have in mind?

It is not a real easy question to answer, as it really has to do with size of kite, type of kite, expected wind conditions, and your budget. Barbara stated in an earlier post, that she often uses wood in her kites. But as she found out, the wood eventually takes on a bow. But wood is cheap and can easily be replaced.

As you build more and more kites, you will "get a feel" for what is right. I often refer to the this Spar Chart for reference. While it was writen for the Rokkaku, it can be used as a reference for many other kites - although, Cellular Kites have special requirements that usually need stiffer and lighter frames. Which takes us into an entirely new subject called:Lift to Weight Ratios - But I will leave that to another Subject and another time.
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Steve Ferrel
Measure once, buy twice!

[Steve D]

I've been thinking about scaling up the square flakes I've been making so that they're not 2 feet on a side but 4 feet instead. I'm also thinking about doing the same with the Peter Lynn Tri-D Box on the AKA webpage.

Not sure what else yet but something else will strike me I'm sure!

[kaziah]

does any body have a quote for a 20 x 17 foot rok kite?
who can provide sparing materials for this size kite?
contact Kaziah at 718-398 5887 or wiaka1@hotmail.com

[stevef]

[Doug LaRock]

I was wondering exactly the same thing . I'm always looking for a source for big spars.

Doug

[Fred]

Hmmm...I could really use a comprehensive Framework table that compared relative stiffness of available wood, fiberglass (FWET), and the various Carbon offerings. As a beginner builder, I'm often confused about what replaces, say, a 1/4" or 5/8" wood dowel should I want to use fiberglass or Carbon. I mean...there may be 2 or 3 options of varying I.D. for a given O.D. with no convenient means to relate relative stiffness.

It'd be nice to have a table that crosses such things. You know? For instance, if I wanted to see what replaces (approximately) a 1/4" wood dowel, I'd scroll down 'till I hit 1/4" Wood, and then go across the row to find approximate substitutes...perhaps even the inner and outer Ferrels.

If I were in the business of selling such materials, and I had a website store-front presence, I'd probably have a link to such tables...for customer convenience. <hint hint..nudge nudge>

...I think I just found a project to while away the hours this winter.
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Kiting since 1964...
TreeProof since 1979.

[stevef]

You mean something like THIS? It is linked from the framework page HERE.

It is difficult to include spec''s on wood dowels as there are so many varieties with different properties..... However This Forum Thread is a good reference.

Some day, i will have time to update this table.
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Steve Ferrel
Measure once, buy twice!

[Fred]

Nice. I'll have to spend some time tonight and study it.

I'd have to sort out where basic wood dowelling fall into the curves. I know there's bound to be a 'band' for wood owing to it's...well...nature. Nevertheless, this chart is interesting.

Thanks!
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Kiting since 1964...
TreeProof since 1979.