LS Kite Stakes Posted September 8, 2008 Report 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
Baloo Posted September 9, 2008 Report Posted September 9, 2008 That is a good looking stake. Best of luck with it. Quote
ant man Posted September 9, 2008 Report Posted September 9, 2008 i like it .. let me know when you start selling them Quote
Penny Lingenfelter Posted September 9, 2008 Report 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
LS Kite Stakes Posted September 12, 2008 Author Report 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
browndude3649 Posted September 12, 2008 Report Posted September 12, 2008 I'm gonna want one too. LMK when ur ready to sell!!! Quote
ant man Posted September 12, 2008 Report 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
LS Kite Stakes Posted September 20, 2008 Author Report 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
ant man Posted September 20, 2008 Report Posted September 20, 2008 does the sleeve in the second picture come with the stack as well?? Quote
LS Kite Stakes Posted September 20, 2008 Author Report 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
The Kite Shoppe Posted September 21, 2008 Report Posted September 21, 2008 Kite Holsters: http://www.thekiteshoppe.com/accessories/m...r/prod_163.html Quote
LS Kite Stakes Posted September 24, 2008 Author Report 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
LS Kite Stakes Posted April 21, 2009 Author Report 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
John Barresi Posted February 9, 2014 Report 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
bbailey49 Posted February 9, 2014 Report Posted February 9, 2014 I had never noticed this thread, JB. Thanks for bumping it. Great insight into some recent kiting history. 1 Quote
SkyPuppets LimitVoodoo Posted February 9, 2014 Report 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
SparkieRob Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 Nice job on the website. Those marbles sure look good on my retina display! 1 Quote
Tmadz Posted February 10, 2014 Report 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
NylonSky Posted February 11, 2014 Report 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
SkyPuppets LimitVoodoo Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 SOS pads I have! Thanks for the tip Quote
LS Kite Stakes Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report 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
Tmadz Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 Looks good Walt. I hope it will really show off the great marbles and other stuff Quote
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