Kitebuilder Online

Spence602 · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 235 Location: USA TX Houston

I usually use a metal ruler as a straight-edge to hot-cut against.

I have a 3' metal ruler and a 1' metal ruler, both have normal and those funky other marks Wink

on each side. But I had a 39" straight hot-cut to make... What to do!?

I went to my local unorganized kite parts store (Home Depot) and bought a piece of 6' aluminum stock (bar). I don't remember the exact measurements, but I think it's 1" by 1/8".

6' is a little unruly (and my glass isn't that long anyway), so I cut it at the 2' mark.

Now I have a 1', 2', 3', and 4' straight-edge. The long cuts get the 4', and it helps hold the fabric down when I use the others...

A very useful tool!
_________________
Spence
www.kiteshark.org

Stan · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:29 pm Post subject:

Spence,
That's funny, I use a 39" aluminium staightedge that has those funny marks on one side because about 39" equals one of those foreign length things. It cost about $4 at Home Depot.

Stan

Spence602 · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 235 Location: USA TX Houston

OK - you caught me - the 39" was a JAB at those metric-heads.

But then again, you can cut the 6' bar at any length you want, and put your own marks on it.
_________________
Spence
www.kiteshark.org

Stan · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:42 pm Post subject:

I still wear a 7 3/8 hat. Laughing

Stan

woodpekr · Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 92 Location: USA Oregon Portland

Went to Pacific Metals here in Portland the other day. 12 ft lenghts of aluminum bar stock, 1/4" x 1" and 1/2" x 3/4", for less than $12 each. Smile

Great for making seam sticks of various lengths.

It seems that the 2 foot lengths get the most use. I keep one 6 foot straight edge for the wider fabrics
_________________
Rich Durant
Portland, Oregon

Steve D · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 650 Location: USA GA Newnan

Find some strips of thin cork with an adhesive on the back and stick it to one side of the barstock (or the back side of your ruler) - helps keep it from sliding across the Ripstop when you run your hot cutter or rotary cutter up against it and can only hold it down with one hand...

Stan · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:00 pm Post subject:

All my quad handles, kite stakes, entire kitebuggy and other metal stuff are fashioned from stock from a local metal store. The prices are way lower than HD.
For example, I got a 5' piece of stainless tubing to make two pairs of Rev handles. The store just gave it to me to avoid writing a receipt for $1. Shocked

Check those yellow pages!

Stan

Charles Bojarski · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject: Re Cork Strips

In regard to the adhesive cork strips mentioned by Steve D., I found 1/2" adhesive cork disks at the local Dollar Tree store. 36 disks for $1.00, a good bargin. I place these about 6" apart on my yardstick and they eliminated the slipping when cutting Ripstop.

Good winds....CharlieB

NPWBill · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 7 Location: Phoenix. Az

I've used strips of Formica... the stuff that's laminated to a lot of counter tops. It can easily be cut into most any width for cutting RSN in any width or whatever. It doesn't leach the heat from the soldering irons either.
Also.... I use 3/8" x 1" steel bar of various lengths to hold the RSN in place while both cutting and welding panels together prior to sewing.

Cheers.... NPWBill

windjunkie · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 57

NPWBill!

good to have you here.
_________________
If we had enough string, I bet it would fly...