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Wayne Dowler

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Posts posted by Wayne Dowler

  2. Quad handle types and line brands

    in Quad Heads

    Posted

    Easy, peasy to do. Does grow the length overall by about a 1/2" or so. I modded mine before I got too used to a certain length. But the amount really isn't that much to throw off mere mortals!!

    But BEWARE : there is a nasty burr of metal under those seemingly harmless vinyl caps. It will lay you open if not careful with it!!!! Deburr before reassembly!!!

    • Like 2

  10. If Mommy Can't Share;)

    in Beginners

    Posted

    Just checked - does yours come with 50' x 50# lines? I'd give that a go before trying shorter. Remember - the shorter the line, the less time to react. Things happen really fast on short lines!! And remember this - if there is no way out of a problem - DON'T PULL, GIVE TO THE KITE! Pulling just drives the kite faster! If aimed at the ground - BOOM! Give it slack, take steps forward, let the kite gently fall. At least you don't get a broken kite! Rather to have to set it back up, than to go home. Give!!!

    • Like 3

  12. If Mommy Can't Share;)

    in Beginners

    Posted

    I have an old 3-D, great little car kite. Used to fly it in the parking lot at work during lunch! If the 4-D is anything like it, it will be happy on 30'ish lines and reasonably light winds. Gentle inputs!! And if it starts shaking or shuddering as it goes through the power zone - might be time to put it away!

    • Like 3

  15. If Mommy Can't Share;)

    in Beginners

    Posted

    13 minutes ago, makatakam said:

    Have used that to undo Rev endcaps on occasion before I took measures to keep the sand out.

    Think "O" rings on the spars, against the caps, Should be a tight fit to spars and overlap outside of cap! Has reduced my sand problem here out West to almost zero! Works on any quad or rod.

    • Like 1

  16. If Mommy Can't Share;)

    in Beginners

    Posted

    I'm not a big "pull or twist" type, but a thumb pusher! I like to hold my spar as close to the fitting as possible, then use my thumb to push the spar out of the connector. Feels like I have more control over how fast or when the spar comes loose. And no bouncy rebound either. But like everything kite related - it's all about what you feel comfortable with doing! YMMV! 

    • Like 6

  17. 2019 WSIKF Quad Mega Fly Record

    in Scheduled Events

    Posted

    I was in the 81 fly! 2nd column from the left, 2nd kite down from the top! Yes you fear being "the one" that brings down  the whole thing!! Fuggetaboudit!!!! It's kites!!! Nothing overly hard here, in fact, John purposely keeps things pretty simple for the fact there are so many in the sky at once! The fun stuff usually happens in the smaller grids, more daring!!! But really, the big grid does take attention and listening to instructions. Just come with an open mind ......

    Plan on big fun!!!

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

  18. Roller Coaster

    in Beginners

    Posted

    Every kite has its own special personality, just takes time to figure out. Swapping out kites so much, means it is harder to figure out any single kite. Spend as long as the conditions allow on one kite and only switch if you really need to. That way you learn that particular kite well.

     

    • Like 6

  19. If Mommy Can't Share;)

    in Beginners

    Posted

    1 hour ago, RobB said:

    IMG_6044.jpg

     

    Someone say Canarsie Pier ? They still fly there, I've taken a break from traffic on the Belt many times to fly with the Islanders and their 'Mad Bull' kites.

    I agree with what was said above, another Quantum or similar sized kite. Make a list of kites you'd like to fly, I have a few for you guys to try. Once you get a few hours of flying in, I think new kites will be arriving at your door on a weekly basis...

    SHHHHH - Rob - I'm not sure she realizes the addiction goes so deep!!!!! :devil:

    • Like 5

  21. Vicky

    in Beginner Questions

    Posted

    Alden makes them through Revolution as masterpiece kites - priced appropriately! Best bet looks like that Spider - take off the Reflex system, cut all the fabric panels out of it. I'd leave all the reinforcing strips in place at first.

    • Like 1

  25. Indoor Dual Line Tutorials

    in Open Topic

    Posted

    14 hours ago, Breezin said:

    I thought the Kaiju would be lighter.John I remember reading a post on ULs  where the weight was being a deciding factor as what to choose. Your advice was I believe understanding the sails shape  and square inches of material were equally important if not more so. Once again I tried to understand  designs from a weight perspective instead of the intent of the sail. 

    There's the "mistake" right there. Once again I see people hung up on numbers over feel. What is the Kaiju's purpose? Indoor and urban, not at 50'. Indoor length is 10' or shorter. It's meant to be a balance of float with tracking, but still maintain trick ability. I'd bet the PD would outperform the Kaiju at usual outdoor lengths of line! And it might be darn close in weight too!

    I'll give you a good example of what I mean: The Zen. Weighs a ton, but is for light winds. The sail loading overcomes the weight. I even added weight, using magic sticks and making my own wear strips! Saved a bit by using a hybrid frame, it weighed less than the stock. But adding the sticks and wear strips made it a wash in weight. Now there's a kite that likes 50'!!

    Remember its purpose grasshopper!!

    • Like 3
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