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kykiter · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:22 pm Post subject: very light fabric

i just bought the plans for TetraLite Kites and they recommend .0005 mylar for the fabric but I have been unable to find any. Does anyone know of a good source or a good equivalent?
_________________
Wind is a four letter word for freedom.

Dorsal · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:41 pm Post subject:

.0005 is 1/2 thousandth of an inch!
I've seen Mylar that thin, used as the dielectric wrap in film-type capacitors (like on old auto ignition systems). The film is extremely fragile, and can be torn by a butterfly's wing!
Maybe they slipped a decimal point? I can't imagine anything made from that film, being able to handle any wind at all, and would probably get torn just handling the kite.
Bonnie, at Hang-Em-High has Part PM02 - Clear Film Special - .5 mil thickness, that has a 1/4" scrim in it, if you really think that is what you need. Steve may have some here at Kite Studio, but I don't see it online.
_________________
"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 also believe in the wind!"
Dennis

Grant L · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:52 pm Post subject:

I just used the clear gift wrapping they had at Hobby Lobby, ( clearphane I think its called. ) You can order longer rolls of similar stuff from a florist shop. It is the stuff they use to wrap gift baskets. Easter is coming up and a good time to stock up on the stuff, ( especially the day after easter Very Happy

) I have also gotten some rolls of nice stuff at the $1 store. The one below was made from the stuff I got at Hobby Lobby.

kykiter · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 9:20 pm Post subject: Re: Light Fabric

Thank you Grant L and Dorsal for your response I will check into that material.
_________________
Wind is a four letter word for freedom.

Spence602 · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 279 Location: USA TX Houston

IIRC, it was half-mil (.005) mylar.

I found some years ago - some kite-related shop in Boulder CO? I don't really remember...

It also make great indoor fighter kite skins!

There are some suppliers who have the exact thing.
One
Two
Ask them for a sheet?
Three

Check all the above for validity - I was in a hurry and might have found 5 mil instead of .005 mil... Rolling Eyes

If those don't pan out, seach for 'half-mil' or '.005'.

Another source for heavier/thicker mylar is a hydroponics supply shop. Smile

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Spence
www.kiteshark.org

Progcraft · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 10:15 pm Post subject:

Those are great links spence. Thank you. Smile

P.
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There is no box.

kiteguy · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 11:50 pm Post subject:

I think that the silver mylar survival blankets are about that thickness. I have used that with good success. A couple bucks gets a large sheet at most any discount house.
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Dave Ellis
Kites + Kids = Education

Kitesquid · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 8:38 am Post subject:

I used what is sold as "Metalic Tissue Paper" from the discount party stores.

Also IIRC in the plans they talk about a kite shop that stocked the half mil mylar film...or e mail the plan seller... I cant remember which I did as I bought the plans over 8 years ago.

I built the 34 cell kite and WOW is is fun to fly and it sounds so cool when it lands as I always break a spar or three... Have some spare spars handy if you build the bigger models.
_________________
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.

dpb · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 1:38 pm Post subject:

Transfer rolls for Sublimation dye printers are made of incredibly light and stron mylar. The are made of 3 or 4 repeating colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and sometimes Black. The rolls are either for A size paper (about 600 ft long) or B size (over 1000 feet long). This material is generally much lighter and stronger than the mylar you get at the gift shop, and less brittle as well. Not only is it a good material for fighters and tetrahedral, it can be unwound and used as line laundry. Think of a 1000 foot long windsock that rolls and undulates in the breeze, and almost glows in the sun. I usually make sure that there is one or two up at Washington State International Kite Festival each year.

Now the bad news. Sublimation Dye printers are on the way out. While they have incredible quality, their cost per page is too high (about $2). So if you can find a printer in your area with a Sublimation Dye printer, beg all you can from him/her.

Some good news is that I work for a printer company and picked up every used roll I could get my hands on, and a bunch of unused stuff the company was going to discard. I have a bunch in my garage. If you want a roll, you pay shipping.

If you love the stuff and your sence of morality and overriding guilt forces you to repay my kindness, then send something back. Wink

Dave Butler

knotronda · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 10:57 pm Post subject:

It has been a while since anyone responded to this thread. I have a roll or two of this and even though I haven't built a kite out of it, I did see it being flown as a tail off of a huge delta at WSIKF. It is glorious in the sky. dpb did not mention if the dye on the roll is waterproof or watersoluable. I haven't tested it. And he did not mention the width of the rolls. How much does a roll weigh? What would be approximate shipping costs? These are all questions that inquirying minds want to know. Very Happy

knot(tier)ronda

I know, sometimes it is better to be seen and not heard!! Just as anyone who knows me.