LS Kite Stakes 22 Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Had a light bulb go off in my head the other day, and followed the thought through with action. I made a kite stake with a large 42mm marble, after machining a polished aluminum "cup" to epoxy it onto. I pressed a 12 inch 1/4" metal rod into the bottom of the cup. Here is pictures of the result: I can make more of these, and have all kinds of colors and styles available with the marbles. The one pictured has a plain steel rod, but I intend to make future stakes with polished stainless rods. This stake is made with a machine made glass marble, I can get handmade marbles as well, but will cost more. Cost is $25 USD, including USPS Priority shipping to CONUS. I need time to get the matierials, so it will take me about two weeks to have some ready. I have a small home shop and would like to make a little extra $$ to support my kiting habit! If anyone wants one let me know, I would also love to make a business arrangement with any of the kite shops if they are interested as well. I can easily make a dozen or so a week, no two will be the same! Comments, suggestions? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Baloo 74 Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 That is a good looking stake. Best of luck with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ant man 10 Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 i like it .. let me know when you start selling them Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Penny Lingenfelter 8 Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 i like it .. let me know when you start selling them You might have a better chance if you take a few to the stores, send them email with picture and have some ready. Good luck. BB Penny Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LS Kite Stakes 22 Posted September 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 Here is the latest news. I am going ahead with a initial production run of 25 stakes. I have a assortment of 42mm marbles, 1/4" stainless rod, and shipping materials on order. I have some 6061 T6 aluminum bar that I will start machining parts from this weekend. I hope to have some finished for the Whidbey Island Kite Festival. I will put notice up here when I have them ready, and will be posting some onto the 'bay as well. Members of KiteLife will get free USPS Priority shipping! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
browndude3649 11 Posted September 12, 2008 Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 I'm gonna want one too. LMK when ur ready to sell!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ant man 10 Posted September 12, 2008 Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 Here is the latest news.I am going ahead with a initial production run of 25 stakes. I have a assortment of 42mm marbles, 1/4" stainless rod, and shipping materials on order. I have some 6061 T6 aluminum bar that I will start machining parts from this weekend. I hope to have some finished for the Whidbey Island Kite Festival. I will put notice up here when I have them ready, and will be posting some onto the 'bay as well. Members of KiteLife will get free USPS Priority shipping! well as you can see im a member so im in for one of them on e bay .. cant wait untill you get them going Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LS Kite Stakes 22 Posted September 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 I have gotten the first 12 stakes done this afternoon, they have turned out very nice. The rods are 304L .250 inch Stainless, 12 inches long with a blunt point. The rods and "cups" (made from 6061 T6 aluminum) are polished and almost look like chrome. I will be taking them to the kite festival at Whidbey Island tomorrow, Saturday, to see what people think of them and see if I can sell some. I am still waiting on shipping boxes, (on backorder) so I am as of yet unable to ship them out to anyone who buys them from me here. I also want to get a better color selection of marbles, the ones I received in an assortment were all dark colored. Here is some pics! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ant man 10 Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 does the sleeve in the second picture come with the stack as well?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LS Kite Stakes 22 Posted September 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 does the sleeve in the second picture come with the stack as well?? Unfortunately, that is my own sleeve, and I am unable to produce those due to no sewing machine. That particular sleeve is made from a dog leash and was hand sewed with needle and thread, took me several hours to finish. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Kite Shoppe 31 Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Kite Holsters: http://www.thekiteshoppe.com/accessories/m...r/prod_163.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kitebug 0 Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 very nice indeed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LS Kite Stakes 22 Posted September 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 The latest news is the special boxes have finally shipped! They are supposed to be at my doorstep on Monday, September 29th. I should also have some more marbles of different colors at that time as well! I have been busy in my shop making parts, I am planning on going to the Lincoln City Kite fest 3 weeks from now, and want to have a few on hand for that as well as shipping out stakes to those who want them here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rm25x 0 Posted April 21, 2009 Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 Wow those look great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LS Kite Stakes 22 Posted April 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 Be sure to check out my website. I haven't updated this thread in a while, I have holsters and set wholesale prices for kite stores. Several kite stores, including one in Spain, have brought my kite stakes in. PM me for more information if interested, these are so much nicer than a ordinary golf ball kite stake. Will be releasing a couple new products in the coming weeks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Barresi 5,671 Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Who'd have thought Walt's little stake idea would take off so well? I always have at least two on hand, my favorite! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bbailey49 983 Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I had never noticed this thread, JB. Thanks for bumping it. Great insight into some recent kiting history. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SkyPuppets LimitVoodoo 226 Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Does Walt frequent this forum? I'd like his input on the best way to shine up my handles and stake before I venture out to Kite Party. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SparkieRob 1,680 Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Nice job on the website. Those marbles sure look good on my retina display! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tmadz 488 Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 I love my stake and will buy another one. I opted for the more expensive stake with a "designer" marble made by a family well known for glass blowing in West Virginia. I actually researched this after corresponding with Walt. Goofy I know, but I love my unique stake and colorful item. Worth every penny to me. And Made in America. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NylonSky 77 Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Does Walt frequent this forum? I'd like his input on the best way to shine up my handles and stake before I venture out to Kite Party. SOS pads or steel wool work great. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SkyPuppets LimitVoodoo 226 Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 SOS pads I have! Thanks for the tip Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LS Kite Stakes 22 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Hey All! JB let me know I needed to stop by. Kiting history, funny. Use a metal polish like silver/brass polish, that will brighten up your handles and stakes. I had the chance for some one on one with my webmaster, and learned a bunch about making a website. I am COMPLETLY redoing it, and it is almost done. I am missing good stock photos of some of my products, and I have a bit more content to add, but you will see I have expanded my line up by a little bit. But how about a sneak peek for my fellow KiteLife members? http://kitestakes.com/newsite/ Enjoy! 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bbailey49 983 Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Looks good! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tmadz 488 Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Looks good Walt. I hope it will really show off the great marbles and other stuff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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