Kitebuilder.com

[Aiyana]

Okay...here's the deal....I want to start building my own kites...one of the tools I want is a good hot cutter that will also seal the edges. I've looked at everything from Woodburners, Engel Hot Cutters and to some Solderig pencils! It's confusing! What I need to know is which one is the best for long term use? Do I spend the money on the Engel unit or is there somethng cheaper that works as well.

The other thing I need to know is about tip shapes both for general fabric cutting and for applique work... thanks for any and all the help!
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Diagonally parked in a parallel Universe....

Cheers,
Aiyana

[Dorsal]

Opinions vary.
I use a 30W soldering iron with the small round soldering tip for 90% of my hot-knife requirements. Cutting, sealing, applique, etc.
Then I also have a 60W soldering iron for shaping the seatbelt webbing around the nose of a new stunt kite. That much fabric seems to cool the 30W iron too quickly for me.

Each iron cost me about $12 at the local hardware store, and they've been working for a couple years.
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"The wind is the perfect reminder of God.
The only way we can prove it exists is by observing the things it affects.
That's why I believe in the wind, too."
Dennis
AuctionSniper.com

[mhartzel]

I also have used a woodburner to hot cut my material. I recently picked up a soldering iron kit from Harbor Freight on sale for $7 (US) Using the small pointed tip works well.

Another tip I recieved from here was to buy a Dimmer switch and put a short length of extension cord on it. Then you have a "Variable Temprature Control" I haven't build it yet, but I will before my next project as the soldering iron I have gets very hot. Too hot actually as the material ends up pulling away from the tip because it's melting away. Up to a quarter inch on either side...
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Mark
Sand, Street or Sky... I love to fly.
- Take back the web.

[KiteSquid]

The best hot cutter is the engle unit. Get both blades.

I use the ice skate blade most of the time and the other one some of the time.

I also have several 5 in 1 hobby knives from Harbor freight, I got them on sale for $5 each. so I dont have to change tips and I always have a spare or one to trade.

I use the chisel point and the pencil point. throw the exacto kinfe holder away as not enough heat will transfer down the steel blade....

BTW you do not need a hot knife to do applique if you do reverse applique.

Take Jose Sainz's workshop to learn more, or better yet attend a kite building workshop/retreat in your area.
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA


P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Doesent he ever shut up???

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

[CJQ]

HI Aiyana, I guess you get the drift , you dont have to spend big bucks . I think most kite builders have a few cheap irons in thier shop's . They each probably have a different shape tip or wattage. Some of us will file tips to match the task .most are copper and file easily . And yes the heat can become excessive. the light dimmer trick is a super way to knock down the heat. Home depot is the place to got the parts.

CLIFF

[RonG]

The Engel unit is very nice, but definitely not required. I use a 40w soldering pencil with a chisel-type tip that I ground into a blade shape for most cutting, particularly cutting around templates. I use a 30w pencil with a pointed tip for getting into corners, and sealing the standoff holes on my kites. Less than $20 each.

[kitepoor]

I just have to jump in here. This discussion is part of why I am a kite builder. For under $200 one can have ALL the tools to make very nice kites. Maybe even a big winner. Buy what ever you can afford. Steve's "real" hot cutter is a Wonderful tool, but my old cheap weller soldering iron that I sanded the end to an angle and sharpened a bit works good enough for me. Cheap soldering iron is plenty good for a beginner. Add the "best" tools as you choose where you want to specialize. (ie you will not buy a really nice spar saw if you decide you most want to build big soft kites)
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Randy
a kite a nice thing
kite in the air a beautiful thing
kites to share the coolest thing

[Stan]

The dimmer switch is a great way to regulate the heat. I made mine old parts for nothing, and have marks around the dial for different fabrics.
I use a cheap woodburning tool identical to Harbor Freight's, and it has outlasted more expensive cutters. The chisel tip is versatile and easy to clean with a mill file.
I noticed Jo-ann Fabric has some White machines on sale, with one metal-bodied model for $90, and another for $150. They look pretty good to me.

[Aiyana]

Thanks so much fellas....a soldering iron/pencil and dimmer switch I can do easily... I have also decided to go to the Fort Warden Kitemakers Retreat this coming spring so I can actually learn what to do before I ruin a whole pile of fabric... Speaking of fabric.... I understand that some fabrics do not require hot cutting... is this so? If so...which ones do? I have about 10 yds of Texlon right now. I won it in a raffle... not the greatest color but it will do for me to learn on.

Now that the hot cutting part is out of the way....my next question is how many of you use double sided tape for seaming? Does it work and if so....where do you get it from? A suggestion locally here is a Sail Makers loft... What do I need and is there a good online source?

Thanks a million!! Oh....my first project will be a Revll style kite to complete my stack! (I work by the K.I.S.S. method!)
_________________
Diagonally parked in a parallel Universe....

Cheers,
Aiyana