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frob

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Everything posted by frob

  1. That is my favorite feeling. Thank you for sharing.
  2. Thanks for the info. I've delayed leading edge construction until ... well, until today. I've had tons of interruptions and real life events that pulled me away from this project, but I managed to get a good chunk of sewing in. https://photos.app.goo.gl/2jYS3MUgZXcb9mbq8 Stretch strips sewn on the back, reflective strips sewn at the same point in front (which should be visible with some lights at night), then as part of hemming sewed in the tip reinforcements and middle V reinforcements. Finally, double-stitched the rolled hems along both kites. Along the way applied fray check to the reinforcements, stitching endpoints, and stress points. And during some breaks, I applied tape and cut out a bunch of leading edge pieces, ready to assemble them. Whew. No knot covers, in part because it's yet another piece, and in part because with lights there is no chance I'll be doing tricks that will need them. Clicking on those images and zooming in shows a bunch of details. Five more checkmarks, but still have so much to do... ✔ Figure out paper prototype dimensions ✔ Cut and tape paper prototype ✔ Verify paper prototype, refine template ✔ Cut pieces for full sail ✔ Sew full sail body ✔ Cut pieces for vented sail ✔ Sew vented sail body ✔ Prepare reinforcements ✔ Sew reinforcements on both sails ✔ Sew hems on both sails ✔ Apply fray check and check all the details ✔ Cut leading edge pieces ⬜ Sew both leading edges ⬜ Attach both leading edges ⬜ Sew on LED light strips on both kites ⬜ Final soldering for joints on LED light strips on both kites (48 solder points total, but I am considering some solderless clips) ⬜ Bridles ⬜ Attach bridles, elastics, and endcaps ⬜ Create kite bags for both kites
  3. While it is a common question, it is quite open ended. What is the wind normally like for your area? Where do you normally fly? How often do you plan on flying? What is your budget? Do you have others you can fly with? What you describe might not be you or your kite, but might be related to where or when you are flying. Turbulent air can cause loss of control and instability even on an amazing kite. If you're looking for a quality beginner kite, there are many good ones out there. The Flying Wings Beetle has a reputation for being quite durable. The Prism Quantum is also beginner friendly, although at a higher price point because Prism is a well-known brand. The Prism Jazz is a step down from that, less durable and less performant but somewhat cheaper and widely available, still with a brand-name markup. There are similar beginner dual line kites from HQ, Into The Wind, Ocean Shores, Skydog, and quite a few other reputable companies. If there is a local kite shop near you, or a local kite club near you, find some people who know your local conditions and can let you try a variety of kites. You might prefer bigger or smaller, faster or slower, noisy or quiet, or assorted other varieties. The best way to know for sure what you like or dislike is to try a bunch of kites.
  4. Such a great prize. I fly my Extra Vent relatively little, about once a month, but it is so nice to have when needed. (Same with the hardcore. I don't pull it out often, about every 2-3 months, but when I do I am so happy to have the equipment for such strong winds.) While I have duplicates in lower wind ranges so I can fly with someone else, it would be great to win to be able to fly with a friend in strong winds, too. Whoever wins, thank you so much for the drawings and prizes.
  5. Try Flying Wings Kites if no stores closer to you can get them. Calling is often better than web sites. Toll free 1.800.728.0704, they are in the San Jose area.
  6. Yeah, I remember that. The film broke Chinese box-office records, and government entertainment groups started research and offered funding to animations studios because they wanted to know how an American animated comedy could push popular culture farther than any of their home-grown movies could. A few people sued, but I think when it comes to movies, a few people always sue. IIRC, people sued Warner Brothers over the Harry Potter broomsticks, saying the pointed the wrong way. I recall they offered to remake the broomstick scenes if the group could demonstrate actually flying on broomsticks, which got a chuckle but dismissed from the courts.
  7. Okay, both the "standard" and vented sail bodies are done. Am I the only one who thinks of "standard" as "full sail"? The vented one has fewer puckers, fewer variations of wide/narrow zigzags, and the pieces with venting are slightly short but still within my tolerance. https://photos.app.goo.gl/rYSTcd5kdQXmoYcu8 When I took the pic I was surprised at just how much the perspective changes their apparent size. Dragging them atop each other, they're the same within a few millimeters, except for the vented panels where I must have overlapped by too far or maybe had some other issue. When I built the pattern I planned on a half-inch hem plus an extra half inch on the LE side to give a bit of "wiggle room", and maybe to even put in a slight LE curve if it works out. Next up is the leading edges. I've got to re-read everything on the forums here, and on other sites, and re-re-re-watch Riff's video for leading edge construction, and maybe scour the web for any additional information. Sewing all the LE tabs and getting the various positions correct looks tricky. I'm also going to need to read up on how to make a non-fraying leading edge boundary, I think I saw those details in the video but that's something that bugged me after receiving my first Rev. Even though it doesn't materially affect flight, it's something that feels better, I think. Then when the leading edges are constructed I'll know exactly where to attach the stretch strips, sew in the reinforcements, attach the leading edge, then hem up the remaining bits, then pull out an old ruined soldering iron tip (icky copper that won't silver up any more) and melt the holes for the bridle. Does this mean it's about 50% complete?
  8. Occasionally someone comes into a collection and wants to sell the unknown kites here, such as after a collector dies. Usually the first thing is to identify what all of them are and figure out their value. It requires clear pictures of each kite, with closeups of wear and tear and damage, along with knowing all the pieces are present, if any spare parts and the bags are included, etc. If you know them more exactly, you can come up with a list like this person did here and here, listing 39 "items" for 51 total kites being sold, then take pictures of details as needed. If you don't know those details coming up with an estimated value will be difficult.
  9. And of course, can't forget the vented version because nobody knows what the wind will be. https://photos.app.goo.gl/gBcbZ3hiDEMQYPTN9 Vented version of the body is now cut and taped together, sewing will take place later in the week. And after sewing this second sail body will be the leading edge creation, I think. Originally I thought this would be better than buying two premium kites used and modifying them, saving myself around $500 or so, plus whatever effort went into the modifications. Now that I'm doing all this work, I'm wondering if it is all worth the work. I'm learning a lot, but it's a lot of hours.
  10. More progress, figuring out sewing tension and stitching the body. https://photos.app.goo.gl/4jbcQgKVa4ugHuqe9 There are some puckers and places where the zigzag ended up longer or shorter based on the feed, but more progress. I figure with the first few flights those will more or less settle in as fabric stretches and takes form, but I worry it might make little cups or bumps for a while. I guess time will tell. I will need to study my other kites for insight, but what are preferences for ordering for stretch strips, wingtip reinforcements, leading edge attachment, and hemming? I imagine doing them in that order, but is another order better?
  11. The same can be said and asked for many products. How can you tell how a different shirt design will feel? How can you tell how a different vehicle will feel? How can you tell how a different restaurant will taste? How can you tell what a different fabric feels like? How can you tell how enjoyable a different music or movie will feel? Consider that ten people can use the same ingredients to make the same food, like all ten making burgers or all ten making tacos, and each person has results liked or disliked by others. None are wrong, or necessarily better or worse, but even with the same ingredients results vary tremendously. Two people may have similar tastes. Two other people may have different tastes, one a strong liking for an attribute that others don't care about. Others can describe their experience, but it is their own experience and not yours. Ultimately it is individual preference and personal tastes. Ultimately the only way to be certain is try it yourself and form your own opinion. They have differences. The kites designed by expert pilots were trying to correct what they saw as flaws. Some people may have seen those as strengths. The kites from amateurs are often inconsistent, and differences are sometimes just differences rather than attempts to change specific elements. Some factors like design choices and craftsmanship and materials used can make a big difference. Some factors are subtle or barely noticed. Some factors ultimately make no difference at all. Try to attend shows, events, and meet with other people. Fly other people's kites and ask them questions. Some designs are far more popular for common reasons. There are reasons people like driving fancy sports cars or large SUVs versus a compact commuter car even though all are able to transport from site to site.
  12. Pieces of the sail all cut, and taped together. It looks like a quad... https://photos.app.goo.gl/k73fSZdMBvs1VG457
  13. Dark panels cut, but the rest will need to wait for another day. https://photos.app.goo.gl/EzzLyD3h742L6M2m6 I guess in my wish list I should include unlimited free time, and no need to be up before the sun. Anyone willing to give up a few million bucks so I can retire tomorrow? 😂 I think a lot of us would wish for that.
  14. Ouch. True, but painful. Thankfully this isn't for competition. If I was comfortable with the cost I'd rather modify a professionally made kite. It's just a side project grown bigger and bigger. Sadly I can dream far better than I can create. In my dreams it's all laser cut, perfectly stitched by professionals on high end equipment, with better lighting pieces than I could ever create, and is the luxury model of everything. In practice, I'm just hoping it mostly flies okay, isn't too lopsided, and is something I am not embarrassed to show off.
  15. Making the cuts tonight, using green instead of blue, and this feels like a lot of waste. I suppose following the fabric is essential, but @riffclown's patchwork designs make a lot more sense. I am trying various rotations to see if I can use less fabric or make better scraps. Between the two colors it hurts to leave that many scraps on the cutting board. The pattern pieces fit together nicely, hopefully it all works out. https://photos.app.goo.gl/dBZyDQSF4nd6MsfB9 Any last minute suggestions before slashing into it?
  16. Wireless connection that's good for about 200 feet or so, as well as sensors for gyros, accelerometers, and compass. I have patterns that respond to each, and combinations of them. They add about 100 grams. It's quite a lot, as the kites themselves weigh about 230-250 grams. I could probably trim off another 10-20 grams with a narrower light strip, but it's difficult with 300 LEDs on a 5 meter strip. I first saw lights back in the very old kite magazines in the late '80s when I was young and couldn't get to anything kite related. I was disappointed that everything was static lights or blinking Christmas style lights. I wanted something that could react and respond. Many of my current patterns react to kite velocity, to rapid acceleration/brakes, for their animation speed. Most have options where colors depend on orientation, and I've got some where colors are based on compass direction. Flying a stack of them where both the pattern and colors are orientation-based look amazing, as they're changing in sync to each other.
  17. I've grown tired of attaching and detaching my lights, so I'm building one for a permanent home. Fingers crossed. 11 panels (5/1/5). Based roughly on the B-series because of the straight lines, but slightly different dimensions to help with the weight of the rig, plus some other refinements. Planning on midnight blue, fluorescent green, and white/reflective trim. The lights will ring the kite and be held in with the sheer trim. Here are the lights in action, held with packing tape on a Djinn.
  18. This is normal, and not just kites. There have been tons of social experiments around it. World-class violinists performing and ignored, sometimes a person will stop and listen. World-class singers out busking, singing at the corner. Groups like the Harlem Globetrotters play around by a crowd, but are either ignored or asked to move along. Without the context most people ignore others, don't give them a second thought. Occasionally some people notice and comment it is good, but it is rare.
  19. This will make a great kite for someone, and green shows up great against blue skies and clouds. So exciting.
  20. Looking online I only see one person doing it, Riff who just replied above, with his kites flown by others but saying converted by Riff. After some quick web searches I only see results showing kites by Riff and his real life name posted in various locations. In addition to "making of" and flying videos, he posted instructions: http://www.riffclown.com/kites/HQ2.2.4Conversion.pdf I'm curious if it has quietly become a bigger conversion, or if the ones already done all come from Riff despite publishing the instructions.
  21. Image to show it: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ktG4W98qK8bUhmUk8 Even at rest you can see lines in the fabric from tension. It takes no effort to fill the sail.
  22. Regarding the tension mods... As shipped the kite had almost no tension. The leading edge was completely slack, and the verticals had only the slightest tension. My tension increase on the verticals requires a bit of leverage to install them. After the second round, putting endcaps on the leading edge now requires a significant ark (maybe 15-20 degrees) to get the slack to slip it on. Now the sail is taut even at rest. The effects are dramatic. In order to fly there must be tension on the sail. For a loose sail you must be supplying effort not just to keep it moving, but also to keep it tight. When you drop pressure the leading edge recoils a bit requiring a burst of extra energy to recover and get back flying. You can do it, but it takes more power so subtlety is out. This gives a burst flying effect, which matches what happens when you first fly: big tug, stall, tug, stall, versus low continuous pressure. I also have 1/4" internal diameter nylon tubing over the lower endcaps so it stays put on the ground. I replace the little nylon nub occasionally, just a half inch or inch of tube. Without anything it will slide around on the gym floor. It needs something to give traction as the stock caps are slippery on hard floors.
  23. What are you working on now/recently? Most recently for indoor quads it was getting consistent with reverse 360. You can see my posts here on the channel with this as my first video asking for help trying to unlock it back in February, and compare that with my entry in Windless 2021 this month, about ten months later. You'll notice that even though I've got a back injury in the recent Windless video, I can now transition into a reverse 360 from just about any orientation/position, and I can usually stay in it as long as I want, such as until I get dizzy. Currently I'm working on cementing and solidifying all my current indoor skills. I want to make the transition from "I can do it right" over to "I don't get it wrong". What did you learn and how did you do it? What do you think your hands/body were doing (if you were successful)? For the reverse 360, there were a three big keys. The first was a "properly" adjusted sail. Even though I had earlier adjusted the kite per Watty's indoor modification guide of increasing tension and tuning bridles, I found this had a huge effect. Tighter leading edge tension made this easier, even tighter than my first adjustment attempts. Completely removing the lower leaders and lengthening the upper leaders was also essential for me. The second was the feel of the indoor sail fully loading. This requires both a mix of foot power to put air in the sail, and hand position to ensure the lines are engaged. If the sail doesn't fully engage it won't stay in reverse. Consistently getting that initial air pressure load was a big challenge for me, it doesn't come for (mostly) free like it does outdoors. The kite's previous motion and momentum, the kite's speed and drag (how it is cutting through the air versus gliding through versus catching like a parachute), springiness on the leading edge spar, the air motion in the room, these are all sail loading inputs in addition to the pilot's motion. I cannot put into words how that sail loading actually feels, and each attempt is a unique combination of conditions requiring a different input. The last was keeping that fully-loaded sail engaged the entire time. Too much foot power is wasted and can make the kite harder to control, too little and the kite drops. Keeping the kite balanced under load in reverse requires continuous adjustment. Trying to fly 360's reverse square to the ground is the easiest position, trying to maintain it at an angle is trickier, and I cannot describe it other than developing a feel for what motions and tensions cause the kite to depower. In trying to overcome the difficulties I actually spent several outdoor sessions flying reverse side-to-side while being mindful of how different loads felt, how the different loads affected speed, and how different hand positions affected it. I practiced flipping from forward flight to reverse flight in the same direction, and reversing direction. Even though all grip orientations work, because different people recommend different things I learned to fly in all the grips from a strict up/down handle orientation, a 45' grip, 90' grip, T-shape grip, all the way out to a more flailing 'freestyle' motion, and at different heights. I experimented with flying in all of them (which also helped me fly outdoor) to gain a physical feeling and better intellectual understanding. It took a lot to unlock this, but I learned a ton in the process.
  24. I use latex tubing found at the hardware store. 1/4" internal diameter stuff takes some doing to stretch over the endcap, but is cheap and since it comes in 10-foot tubes but only used an inch at a time, doesn't feel bad to replace as it gets chewed up.
  25. Same on all counts, it isn't just you. I've pushed the Kaiju beyond those limits, but as I wrote above, it was after first getting comfortable with the kite and being in a position where if something broke it wasn't a big deal, plus a lot of fear and worry. It is small, it feels somewhat fragile (especially compared with full size kites). I've been more impressed that it survived some of the abuse I've given them. When compared to putting down a kite with sturdy spars (e.g. SkyShark P3X's) and putting together something with the tiny thin sticks (the website says 0.098 and 0.118 microcarbon) it can easily feel like a toy. Given my 'druthers, I'll take a full sized kite and strong steady winds over a SUL and calm air any day.
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