| View previous topic :: View next topic
:: View posts since last visit |
| Author |
Message |
Lukester
Joined: 14 Nov 2004
Posts: 7
|
 Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 9:59 pm Post subject: Noob Question--What Type of Material is Nylon Webbing? |
 |
|
I am gathering materials to build my first kite. A simple box kite. I bought 2 yards of Ripstop and 1/4 inch balsa dowels. My plan (from a kite book) says to use 1' x 16" nylon webbing fabric to build the pockets and loops that hold the dowels in place against the Ripstop.
The woman at the fabric store didn't know what I was talking about. I don't know either. What is nylon webbing? Can't I make the pockets and loops out of the same Ripstop?
Thanks,
Luke |
|
| Back to top |
|
kiteguy
Kite Builder II
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 1230
Location: USA - Kansas, Overland Park - Near Kansas City
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: Noob Question--What Type of Material is Nylon Webbing? |
|
|
| Lukester wrote: | I am gathering materials to build my first kite. A simple box kite. I bought 2 yards of <a href="http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=24_108">Ripstop</a> and 1/4 inch balsa dowels. My plan (from a kite book) says to use 1' x 16" nylon webbing fabric to build the pockets and loops that hold the dowels in place against the <a href="http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=24_108">Ripstop</a>.
The woman at the fabric store didn't know what I was talking about. I don't know either. What is nylon webbing? Can't I make the pockets and loops out of the same <a href="http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=24_108">Ripstop</a>?
Thanks,
Luke |
Yes, you can use can make the pockets and loops from the same Ripstop. Be sure to use a piece of Ripstop large enough to fold over at least three layers thick for them. Make the pocket material about 1 inch wide (after folding) and sew about 1/8 inch from the edges so you have plenty of space to insert your 1/4 inch dowels.
I think that balsa wood dowels are not what you want, though. First I do not think you can find any such thing as balsa dowels. Ramin wood dowels are the most widely used. (Did I spell Ramin correctly? Or am I thinking of Oriental noodles?) They are fairly light, and quite inexpensive. (Spelled cheap!)
Now for the loops, take a piece of Ripstop about 1 inch wide and fairly long. Fold the material into thirds so you have a long strip that is 1/3 inch wide. Then sew down the middle of the strip to make a long piece of loop material. I like to use a zig-zag stitch to sew down the strip of material when making mine. Then cut off chunks to suit the size loops you need, and sew them into place on your kite.
BTW, if you would like to make a REAL easy box kite then try this one. It is made from a kitchen plastic trash bag, some 3/16 dowels, tape, and a quarter. The quarter is for a template, and is about the most expensive part of this kite.
See if you can pick it up here:
http://kiteguy.chancetech.org/bbox.pdf
You will need Adobe Reader to access this file, but it is a free program, and you will use it a lot.
_________________
Dave Ellis
Kites + Kids = Education |
|
| Back to top |
|
kiteguy
Kite Builder II
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 1230
Location: USA - Kansas, Overland Park - Near Kansas City
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oh, I forgot to answer the question "What is Nylon webbing?"
Think of the 1 inch wide belt material, made from Nylon, of course. I suspect that is what they were referring to in your kite plan.
I was wondering which book you have with the box kite plan you are talking about?
_________________
Dave Ellis
Kites + Kids = Education |
|
| Back to top |
|
Lukester
Joined: 14 Nov 2004
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 7:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thank you Dave. Just the explanation I needed. I bought the book, "The Magnificent Book of Kites," by Maxwell Eden. I am using his design for a Rhomboid Kite. Should be fun! |
|
| Back to top |
|
KiteSquid
Master Kite Builder
Joined: 29 Aug 2003
Posts: 2977
Location: USA Virginia King George
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 8:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
BTW you can use Grosgrain ribbon. It is normaly polyester, but it will work good with Ripstop fabrics.
If you bought the Ripstop at the fabric store, it is probally garmet grade and is not stabelized. You may have some issues with cutting it and sewing, but I could be wrong.
Most modern kite builders like to use spinaker fabrics that have a very low porsity. Hold the fabric you have up to you mouth and try to blow air thur the fabric.... this is a basic method to check porosity.
The magificent book of kites by Eden is one of the top books on the subject of modern kite building (it is an updated versison of Kiteworks also by Eden so dont buy it as all the info is in the book you have)
Rhomboid Kites look GREAT in the air!!!!! Nice choice!!!!!!!!!!
_________________
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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Progcraft
Kitebuilder of the Year 2004
Joined: 29 Sep 2003
Posts: 2232
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Kitesquid wrote: | | BTW you can use Grosgrain ribbon. |
Be sure you hot-cut Grosgrain ribbon otherwise it WILL come apart on you.
P.
_________________
There is no box.
Children of the Wind Kite Festival
http://www.windykids.ca/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
KiteSquid
Master Kite Builder
Joined: 29 Aug 2003
Posts: 2977
Location: USA Virginia King George
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, Thanks for the assist!!!!
Hot cut webbings!!!!!!
_________________
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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
kiteguy
Kite Builder II
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 1230
Location: USA - Kansas, Overland Park - Near Kansas City
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 2:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Most often I just "sear" the ends of Grosgrain ribbon and narrow webbing with a cigarette lighter. I have several of those laying around as I also use them to melt those pesky thread ends when sewing. A bit of heat and a quick touch with a finger makes a flat mushroom on the ends of thread so it does not pull through.
_________________
Dave Ellis
Kites + Kids = Education |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kite Studio
Catalog
Techsheets
Photo
Album
