Jeepster

Duane, Loved watching the SLK at TI ... the only improvement would be to run the warm colors side to side on the kite. That color pattern is on my to-do list. Cheers, Tom

Komuro-San, omedeto gozaimas! -Tom

Steve, I also build and fly RC aircraft, thus I've been exposed to and favor this product line. I use the 30 minute Z-poxy (PT-39) adhesive. It's not as flexible as the Zap-Goo (PT12), but is much less brittle than CA adhesives. Plan on trying the Zap-Goo if any of the 30-minute joints ever fail ... none have ... so far! On Revs that's four factory joints that had to be redone and 15 additional joints on Rev like kites I've built. I think it's a balance between trying to keep them glued and still being able to break the joint if any repairs need to be made. Cheers, Tom

I've also had good results with a more flexible adhesive than CA (super glue), but with one addition. I clean the inside rod surface with a solvent and then coat it lightly with the adhesive. Then when the ferrule is inserted (after also being lightly coated with the adhesive) there is a much better chance of complete filling of the glue joint. Yes, you will push a small about of adhesive ahead of the ferrule, but that helps keep it from being pushed in "if" it comes loose again ... Cheers, Tom

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When you ask a question like you've just asked, you usually get ten different answers from about eight posters. Everyone must be watching the football games. Almost all of my line sets are 90#. Only two exceptions ... one 80 foot 50# line set for some four foot Rev-like kites and one 80 foot 150# line set for a six stack of five foot Rev-like kites. The one length that you'll definitely need if you fly with others is 120 foot. The extra length will slow the kite down a little in high winds and give you a much larger wind window. The second length depends on what others in your area fly with for medium length lines. IKE used to use 80 foot lines, but since Kite Party requires 75 foot line sets we've gradually gravitated to the shorter length. If you're a dual line pilot, you probably favor Shanti line. That's still a good choice if you're always going to be flying by yourself. But, if you fly with others, the Shanti line will cause some problems. It doesn't have a coating like Laser Pro and sometimes the weave will open up when wrapped sharply around the lines of other fliers. Handles? The stock 13 inch Rev handles have worked for many years. The new 13 inch clipless handles are my favorites though. No snagging of the top lines on the bottom "D" ring. Much cleaner looks. Even JB had his stock handles modified with clipless inserts when Walt has doing that modification. You might also consider ordering an additional set of leading edge rods ... 1/4 inch diameter 3-wrap configuration ... for those slightly lighter than 15 mph winds. Cheers, Tom

I've also branched out into flying the big kites. Apprenticed myself off to a couple different big kite fliers at several different festivals ... trade my work for their info type of deal. Some are very fanatical about creating an anchor point that, if it fails, has a minimum of heavy stuff attached to the end of the line. If the anchor point fails, they claim that the lighter the load the quicker the kite will collapse and come down of it's own accord. They point out that if the anchor fails and the stake is still attached to the line it becomes a missile with the chance of doing bodily harm to someone as it goes across the kite field. Most will drive two construction form stakes into the ground so that they are crossed just above the ground level. They then run a loop of nylon strapping between the ground and the two stakes, bring the loop up and forward over the stakes, and then, pull it tight. The line is then attached to the other end of the nylon loop with a carabiner. Sorry, I don't currently have any pictures to show you what I mean. Can get some later if you would like. That approach works quite well for the type of setup I saw you flying last weekend. This is another type of stake that I've seen used ... just can't bring myself to pay $32 to $45 per stake. On the really big kites where large line laundry is added, folks will add some metal to the end of the line for ease of adjustment. You might want to look at this build over on Kitebuilder.com. I've used that set-up and it is really slick for adjusting the line lengths. I'm still trying to figure out what approach will work best for me, so thanks for the ideas. Right now I'm able to drive the Jeep out into the middle of my flying field and tie off to the receiver hitch. Festival organizers probably will frown on that approach. Cheers, Tom

Click on Gallery ... then on Members Albums ... then look on the upper right side or the way-down-at-the bottom right side for the "New Album" button. Please put some dialog to go with your pictures. Doesn't have to be much, but a little verbiage really increases the viewer enjoyment factor. Cheers, Tom

Okay, 477 will do it then!!! Cheers, Tom

Hey Ken, David had this to say about your posting ... "My only question is, if I was naked, where did i keep the camera??" Cheers, Tom

Does your statement mean that you think JB would keep his clothes on ... or that you really would prefer not to see JB naked? Cheers, Tom

Felix, no whining or begging or pleading ... the bear has that approach all tied up and it doesn't work with the cold heart of the RNG. Well, for pennies a day, I get to dream for the next month ... Cheers, Tom

Congrats Joanna ... don't forget to show us some pictures ... helps to keep the Bear drooling!! Cheers, Tom

Psst ... John ... wake up the RNG and lets see who will be flying in the new year!! Cheers, Tom

If you frequent the Kitebuilder forum, you know that Barry Olgetree has helped get several hundred large foil kites in the air around the world during the last few years. He helped sponsor a Jordan 200 build, then a Pit Bull Dog build (75 sq ft) and lately a Stealth build (190 sq ft). Barry took pity on me last summer and cut a one-off Pit Bull Dog kite for me to build. What a learning experience that was. Enjoyed building it and flying it so much that I couldn't pass up participating in the Stealth build. It's really more kite than I wanted or needed, but geez when has that ever stopped any of us. Took about two weeks of sewing to complete it ... still on the steep part of the learning curve for building foils. Took it out today and had a mini festival ... the Stealth, a Mini-Mock foil (20 sq ft), and two 5 sq ft foils for the grand kids to fly. If you want folks to do a double take, put 190 sq ft of nylon up in the air in a little town in the mid-west. Haven't had that many folks stop and watch since the first summer I started flying Revs in that field. Cheers, Tom

Okay! This is a dual line kite that I could enjoy. I'm sure Susan and Dave would want me to have it John ... just have a private talk with the RNG. Cheers, Tom

Congrats James ... enjoy! Cheers, Tom

Thanks bear!!!! Did you notice that John got up early to ask if we wanted the drawing today and then nothing out of him. I think he just wanted a head start on being late! Cheers one and all ... and happy thanksgiving, Tom

What the bear says ... well, all except that begging for one of his numbers to come up stuff. Cheers, Tom

Like when ... nightly!!! Cheers, Tom

Funny, I would have bet money on it!!! Hey, you're up before us colonialists, why don't you wake JB and the RNG up early? Cheers, Tom

Yea, but who's counting? Actually, with JB, it's probably more like 15 or 20 more days to go. Cheers, Tom

Yea, I think John's random number generator favors the new subscribers. I won a year's subscription right after subscribing for the first time. Now, nothing ... not even a dual line kite ... geez. Cheers, Tom

Congrats Brad ... that's cool. However, one thing does bother me ... your thank you to John was your third post? You're leaving Baloo to do all the heavy lifting on the forum. And, thanks to John for the drawings ... I flew the Crossfire in my day dreams for many a week. Cheers, Tom