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Bob R · Last edited by Bob R on Sun Oct 10, 2004 12:22 pm; edited 2 times in total

I'm very new to this hobby. I've been looking at various kite plans. Some show the use of wooden dowels, others show car bon fiber rods. My question is if " A plan calls for a 4mm wooden dowel" if substituting CFR for it, do I use the same diameter CFR as the dowel. Is there a formula used so that you don't wind up with a spar that is too stiff or too flexible? Thank you is advance for any help.

Bob R

Progcraft · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 12:02 pm Post subject:

Hi Bob!
Welcome Smile

I think what you may be looking for can be found here:
http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=391
http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=615

Hey, can you change the subject line of this thread please. Put a space in the word 'car bon' so that the auto-linker doesn't break it Smile

Cheers,
P.
_________________
There is no box.
Children of the Wind Kite Festival
http://www.windykids.ca/

Bob R · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 12:26 pm Post subject:

Progcraft
Thank you for the quick and helpful response. Sure is a lot to learn. Thanks again.
Bob Laughing

Progcraft · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 12:35 pm Post subject:

KiteSquid · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:44 am Post subject:

What I usualy look for when choosing a frame for a kite is stiffeness to weight ratio of the parts.

How much or how little wind I want to fly the kite in (what are my local winds) as I fly in much less wind living inland than someone who lives at the beach...

There is no magic forumula I use... I look at the spar charts and then into my wallet to decide on what frameing to buy..... because cost is a factor too.

I LOVE wrapped Carbon tubes but they are also the most expensive of all the sparing options. To fly in 3 MPH or less I need low weigh in the kite but I also like for the spars to have a lot of stiffness because I also like my kites to be alble to fly in 25 MPH winds when I travel to the beach, so that limits me to wrapped Carbon.

Durrabiality is also a factor as things like fiberglass can stand up to some higher shock loads (read as unplanned landings at inopertune angles) than say Carbon or wood in a simular size.

I also dont like wood as it changes with the humidity that it absorbs unless you finish it but that adds weight...

Soooooooooo many things to think about when choosing framing parts.
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

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

kiteguy · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:06 am Post subject:

I build LOTS of kites. I like to try new things. So I limit the majority of my kites to be in the 4 ft dimension range, and use wooden dowels. If I hit a winner then I reframe it in fiberglass or cabon.

The wooden dowels do warp, and break, but the replacement costs are minimal. That is important, too, when you make LOTS of kites. Crying or Very sad

_________________

Dave Ellis
Kites + Kids = Education

KiteSquid · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:48 pm Post subject:

WELLLLLLLL I did make a 34 cell tetrahedrial kite using 1/8" dowels.

I LOVE the sound it make when it lands.

CCCCCCCCRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCCCHHHHHH

no matter how it lands I break 5 or more sticks....

I do want to build another using Car bon tube someday..... someday.

But there are other projects on the list in front of that kite...
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

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

Bob R · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 11:31 am Post subject:

To All:
Thank you for all your advice and help. I'm absolutely sure that I will be back with more questions. Awful lot to learn, but the anticipation of flying your first home grown kite is great and I'm sure you feel like the "proud Papa or Momma when that little guy hits the wind. Thanks again.

Bob

knotronda · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:01 am Post subject:

My battle rok is sparred with 1/4" wood dowels. This works well for most battle situations. However, I did find out the hard way (no pun intended) that when sand gets wet, it gets hard! While at Washington State International Kite Festival this past summer, it started to rain just before the rok battle. Everyone left the field. The music was turned off. And, the judges ran for cover. I convinced my team that we could run out on the field and claim victory because no one else would be foolish enough to fight kites in the rain. A few minutes later, there were at least five teams standing out in the rain. I organized the spectators, who where standing under the main tent, to judge the competition and we got started. It was a lot of fun and I couldn't believe there were that many silly people willing to run around in the rain. However, after replacing the spine on my rok for the second time, I decided that I didn't want to fight in the rain anymore.

Oh well, just some food for thought.

knotronda

300M · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 157 Location: Newport News, VA