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Rokkaku stick length


Red Doug
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Just finishing up my first kite--an 8' Rok based on Gary Engdal's pages.

I'm going to mount the sticks tomorrow night, and I forget what the advice was re where to cut the sticks and place the joints on the vertical. I could make 96" out of two sticks, but I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be placing the joint in the middle. So should I go with two long and one short to the center, or one long and two short on the top and bottom. Think I've talked myself into the latter. Is that right?

Doug L.

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Hey Doug,

On the store bought ones that I have, and the one that I built, the short section has been in the middle. I'd guess that either way would work.

I noticed that on the store bought ones, the long sticks were the same length as the spreaders, so I built mine the same way. Makes it pack away nice.

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Centering the ferrells will mean the stick will bow evenly.

If the ferrell is off center, then the long side will bow more then the short side. For the spine of the Rok, this may not matter, but for the cross spars, this could cause a propellor effect because the kite will not be bowing evenly on each side.

It is best to keep things as even and symetrical. There is no reason not to put the ferrel in the middle.

In your case, you should do whatever is most economical. ie: If you can use two sticks and one ferrell, that will be better. Slightly less weight, even bowing top and bottom, less sticks to transport (and possibly lose).

Hope that helps.

P

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Thanks Don.

I'm making the spreaders from 54" fiberglas, FL414. Cut each in half, three sticks, I get 81" for my 80" cross dimension.

I was also thinking about gluing the ferrules on the spreaders, and rolling the kite up around them. Would that bite me? I guess I'm the classic first timer--overdesign to the yin-yang.

I'll try to go with the solution you mentioned on the spine though.

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I was also thinking about gluing the ferrules on the spreaders, and rolling the kite up around them.  Would that bite me?  I guess I'm the classic first timer--overdesign to the yin-yang.

Epoxy the ferrel halfway (or just slightly less then halfway) onto one end of one spar ONLY. Yup, rolling the kite around the spars is the easiest way to pack it away and it helps to keep you from loseing anything :)

There is quite a bit of good information on framing Roks on the kitebuilder.com forums: click -> Kitebulder.com forums

Gary Engvall is a member there too :(

btw, I'm on the final steps of a 9 foot tall Rok (also based on Gary's plans) :P

Cheers,

P

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