The Kitebuilder.com Forum

woodpekr · Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 42 Location: USA Oregon Portland

So . . . should they be in a spool holder on the table top or should they be on the pin on top of your sewing machine?

Thanks -- Rich
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Rich Durant
Portland, Oregon

stevef · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 8:19 am Post subject:

Thread that comes on a cone is designed to have the thread come off the TOP of the cone, not the side. So yes, the thread should be placed on the table and/or used with a cone holder.

I will have to search the forum for another post.... a few weeks ago somebody posted a link to a plan for a home made cone holder that work perfectly with out 1 oz cones.....

For years I sewed with this thread simply by putting the cone on the floor in front of my machine.

---
Here is the Thread Holder link:
http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=99&highlight=thread
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Go Build a Kite!

Kitesquid · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 8:33 am Post subject:

I use a thread stand for my 1 Oz and larger spools of thread.

You can bend one out of a coathanger, but they are only aobut $5 for a cheep one at a sweing store but I recomend that you try to stay away from the ones with a plastic pole. An all metal one is prefered if you can find one but it will cost more and may not be on the shelf.

http://www.clotilde.com/cl/product_group.asp?listtype=search&searchterm=thread+stand&dept_name=Search+Result%3A+thread+stand&g_id=287925&imgsize=large

A frined of mine, Terry Murry, made me one out of stainless Steel and I put fishing rod tips on hte end to feed the thread. Make sure that the feed point is directly over the center of the spool.

Here are a few examples of industrial stye that bolt to your sewing table, but you could bolt them to something heavy to make them portable:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2574872937&category=45034

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2574872937&category=45034

Here is an expamle of a home made one for an embordary machine:

http://www.omega84.com/thread_stand%20still%20photos.htm
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 150 Location: So Cal

My portable machine gets removed from the table to make room for other tasks and brought back onto the table for sewing. Sometimes I move the machine to accomodate differing angles.
I wind bulk thread onto a large spool that fits the pin, using a cordless drill. This way I can always move the machine with one hand without having to mess with the thread stand, and a large spool lasts a long time. My machine holds two of the spools so I can change color quickly.

Stan

Steve D · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 481 Location: USA GA Newnan

Usually I just wind thread on to bobbins to use on top of the machine as well as in the bobbin race (right term?). Think about it - load two bobbins that are the same size with roughly the same amount of thread and the thread from each is used at roughly the same rate, you always have a good way to tell when the bobbin that you can't see (the one inside your machine) is gettin' low on thread....

Yeah, its a bit of a pain winding bobbins but I can do a dozen in a 15 or 20 minutes and I'm good to go for a while....

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 150 Location: So Cal

Steve,
That's the most logical "bobbin low" indicator imaginable, and deals with the bulk thread issue at the same time. Impressive!

Stan

Steve D · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 481 Location: USA GA Newnan

Wish I could claim it as my idea but it isn't. It came from that new "Gary" guy that started poking around here today.... Wink

Does make a lot of sense, though, don't it!!

Kitesquid · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 12:37 pm Post subject:

Gary is here too????

Wow, now I have to be able to name my knots corectly
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Steve D · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 481 Location: USA GA Newnan

Yup - he snuck in this morning after reading your post on the sewing machines on airplanes thread at GWTW - I had posed the same question to him just before I posted it here. I didn't know it at the time but he posted essentially the same thing there.....

I thought squids could name all the knots! Wink

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 150 Location: So Cal

I've seeing references to this "Gary" guy on the internet for ages. He must be a busy guy. He sure posts some good info when he takes a break from winding bobbins. Wink

Stan

Steve D · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 481 Location: USA GA Newnan

Yup, that he does! Pretty good go-to feller when ya have a question...

Kitesquid · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 12:49 pm Post subject:

Whatever you use to handle you thread, make sure it either does not add any tension to the thread or it adds a constant tension to it and you always will use it as uneven or unpredictable tension can ruin a good kite.

Whenever I have a need for something I try to look at the industrial versions before I look at the hobby markets. Stronger, better engineered and will usually last a lifetime, but sometimes they are EXPENSIVE or hard to get only one of.

Get a catalog from an industrial supply for the think you are looking at, be it sewing, paining, or machining... There is a bottomless well of information out there.
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Kitesquid · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 12:52 pm Post subject:

You will be hard pressed to find a nicer guy than Gary Engaval.

if he is a judge at an event you entered a kite at, you had better know your knots or how to explain them... BTW I am a retired sailor and I know a few knots...

Now if i could only find an afordable copy of Ashley's book of knots to add to my collection of kite support books.

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!

My lovely wife got me one!!!!!!!!!
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 150 Location: So Cal

Does the Navy still teach knots?
My father and grandfather were sailors and I always had a bluejacket's manual handy for knotwork and first aid, etc. I've met many Navy sailors who have trouble with knots.
I guess electronics, aviation, IT and Polaris missles are more pressing issues than in my grandfather's day.

Stan

Kitesquid · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 3:21 pm Post subject:

You learn like 4 knots in boot camp but most guys loose it days after as they don't tye anything down. Computers etc. I havent looked in my bluejacktes manual for a long time, so I think it is time to crack it open.

Somewhere I have a copy of the Boswan Mates rate training manuals and they go into knots!!!!!

I am always trying to learn new things. Anyting that will make me a better person or a better kite builder and flyer.

To quote Robert A Heinlien:

Specialization is for insects...
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.