From: Greg Bethel [grbethel@media-net.net] Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2002 12:17 AM To: plans@kitebuilder.com Subject: Waffle
	click picture to enlarge

View the PLAN for the Waffle here >>>

Steve,   I have built a waffle from the plans on the kitebuilder site.  Some notes...  

1. At the ends of the longerons, I used folded velcro for tightening as needed.  

2. I used continuous fiberglass shafts for the longerons.  

3. The center spreader is 2 shafts from "bicycle flags" with a ferrel connector.  Curious item...  in stronger winds (18-22mph) it will fold in half until it gets close to the ground out of the direct wind, then "snaps" back open, catches the wind and rises again.  Not what I had expected, but a nice result.  

4. I know it was more sewing than I needed to do, but even after hot cutting, I hemmed all sides.  25 black squares with white trim, and 25 white squares with black trim.  What I used was not the traditional crinkly ripstop nylon.  This stuff is soft and shreds pretty easy if it isnt hotcut.  Nice contrast against a blue sky.  

5. I haven't done it yet, but I think an additional spreader towards the top of the kite would help stop the "folding-up" that happens in the higher winds.  It is rock steady at 10-15 mph.  The bridle was a bit tricky too.  

6. When sewing the "tape" along the diagonals, where a "red dot" is located, I backstitched at that point, continued for about 5mm, backstitched again, then continued as before.  The rings can be added later by stringing them through, and the stress points have already been reinforced with the backstitches.  

Thanks for the great site!!! Greg Bethel

ENTER KITE STUDIO
View our ever growing inventory of kitemaking supplies
<<< Go Here >>>

WWW.KITEBUILDER.COM