Kitebuilder Online

Progcraft · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 7:49 pm Post subject:

Hi.
Squid has a really good write up here on line including polypropelyne (sp?). I asked the same thing a while ago Wink

http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=662&highlight=polypropylene#662

Cheers.
P.
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gduran · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Argentina

I have just checked that link. Thank you. I was talking about braided polypropylene for Bridles. It really looks like braided Dacron.

Progcraft · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 8:04 pm Post subject:

Oh. I didn't know you could get that type of line so small diameter.
Is the poly hollow core, solid core, or solid braid? If it's hollow, that would likely work fine. Solid core and solid braid would likely be difficult to get tight knots with and may be very stiff over shot lengths. But, with the solid core, you can actually pull the core out of shorter lengths and end up with just the hollow core, braided sheath. That might be tough to pull out though with the small diameter line.

P.
_________________
There is no box.

gduran · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Argentina

Kitesquid · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 11:21 am Post subject:

Polypropylene is not as strong as Polyester for the same size line.

Polypropylene floats in water

Polyester sinks in water.

Both have low stretch compared to Nylon

I do not recomend using Polypropylene line in any kite application......
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

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

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

gduran · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Argentina

knotronda · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:30 am Post subject:

Kitesquid · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 8:35 am Post subject:

Ronda you are on track. You stated one of the reasons.

The other reason I would not use Polypropylene is that it does not have anywhere the stringth for a given diamater of line that Polyester has...

Look at the boat sailing ropes HERE or Here to learn more.

My Kite Line choices are

Braided Polyester for most single line kites...

Braided HMPE for sport kites

Braided Nylon for big kites, as I like the springeyness that absorbs gusts, but Polyester works fine too

BTW I have a roll of 4,000 lb test Kevlar line with a dacron sheath that I used once and is now for sale....
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

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

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

Stan · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 11:40 am Post subject:

I picked up 1000 yards of heavy tan linen thread at a yard sale for a buck.
Works really well for small SLKs and large fighters, doesn't stretch much and is nice in the hand. Quite aesthetic for a bamboo-paper kite. Some mini-kiters here use a single stand of raw silk for thumbnail-sized kites.

Stan