Guru4tru Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 I lost 3 of those leading edge vertical rod holding washers in the last few weeks. I suppose there is a limit to how many times one can smack that section on the ground before the washer goes! The price for a little washer isn't beyond my means by any means, but it's a matter of principal. Why should I buy one online when I can buy a dozen at Lowe's for the same price and there is no shipping cost. So I went to Lowe's and bought some of different sizes, but when I tried them out I couldn't find a single one that fit properly. So, I've decided to go with simple plastic wire ties. I haven't flown with them yet, but they look like they should work great and will probably last longer then the rubber washers...and they are easier to put on. http://www.emisupply.com/catalog/standard-cable-ties-50lb-resistant-nylon-black-p-8312.html?utm_source=googlead&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=wire%20ties&utm_content=Cable%20Ties-3m%20Standard&utm_campaign=CableTies And they come in different colors too: http://www.nelcoproducts.com/shopping/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=1 heehee! Keep It Up! Duane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Duane - do you mean the washer on the end caps that holds or locates the SLE rod?? Unless you're using the SLE, just remove it!!! I use only my 1/4" rods and don't need them!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru4tru Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Duane - do you mean the washer on the end caps that holds or locates the SLE rod?? Unless you're using the SLE, just remove it!!! I use only my 1/4" rods and don't need them!!! The washers that go under the 2 knots on the elastic cord that goes through the connector and the LE sheath that holds the upper part of the vertical rods in place. I remove the washer (well, it broke) and loop the tie and slip it over the 2 knots and draw it snug. I insure that the elastic cord is loose enough to permit the LE rods to move or be remover easily. Then I clip the extra off the tie and carefully take a razor and smooth that edge so there are no sharp edges. (I know...a razor around a kite thrown fear into me...but it's pretty simple.) Keep It Up! Duane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Another trick is to tie the bungee into a loop, and do away with the washer altogether!! You see this arrangement on SULs !!! Saves a little weight!! Go through the sail like normal, then instead of having 2 separate knots w/ washers, tie them together and make it a loop!!! You lose the washers and still have a strong connection!! My SUL has that on the end caps, and it's caused no problems so far!! And I use that kite a lot!!! BTW - What are you doing to those "poor" washers??? I don't think I've ever broken one in 14-15 years of flying Revs!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru4tru Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Another trick is to tie the bungee into a loop, and do away with the washer altogether!! You see this arrangement on SULs !!! Saves a little weight!! Go through the sail like normal, then instead of having 2 separate knots w/ washers, tie them together and make it a loop!!! You lose the washers and still have a strong connection!! My SUL has that on the end caps, and it's caused no problems so far!! And I use that kite a lot!!! BTW - What are you doing to those "poor" washers??? I don't think I've ever broken one in 14-15 years of flying Revs!!! Just tying the cord together sounds like a better idea then mine, if the end placement of the connector remains the same. I'll have to check that out next time a washer goes, but here's a picture anyway: That connector stands slightly above the Leading Edge so when I smack it against the ground the washer takes a rap. I know...stop smashing it against the ground! heehee! I will add that the problem of "blowing a washer" seems to be mostly with Elvira!! heehee!! Keep It Up! Duane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 From what I see on your picture, it should be a pretty simple fix to tie it as a loop!! ( Yes, stop smashing it into the ground!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru4tru Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 From what I see on your picture, it should be a pretty simple fix to tie it as a loop!! ( Yes, stop smashing it into the ground!!!) Being a "Lone Flyer", when anyone takes an interest in the Rev. I usually spend the next few hours teaching them how to fly it (especially if they are in bikinis...heehee!). This happens about 2 or 3 times a week, which usually amount to my giving some instructions and then going out to the kite end and picking it up after they crash it. So there is a lot of "smashing the ground" with my kites, but it's a lot of fun too! heehee! Surprisingly there has never been a broken rod yet, and that's since I started and was doing the smashing myself! (Did you hear that...I just knocked on wood! heehee!) I figure since there are no Rev. flyers coming to my field...I'll have to make them Rev. flyers! heehee! Keep It Up! Duane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 That's the spirit - create your own!!! (Sorry, I can't hear you!!! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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