photomom Posted September 17, 2016 Report Posted September 17, 2016 I've built several single line kites over the past few years. All different shapes and sizes. This will be my first stunt kite build. Finished the sail yesterday and will make the leading edge today. Not only is it my first quad build, I am experimenting at the same time. I'm going to omit the mesh and just attach the leading edge with tabs only. Will either frame it with diamond rods, three wrap rods or green race rods. A lot depends on the wind the day I'm flying. Wish me luck. 6 Quote
Happyspoon Posted September 17, 2016 Report Posted September 17, 2016 Good luck! Where did the plans come from? Are you documenting the process anywhere? I'd love to follow the ups and downs of the build!Exciting!Sent from my SM-G935W8 using KiteLife mobile app Quote
photomom Posted September 17, 2016 Author Report Posted September 17, 2016 I used my Elliot Shook Mesh quad as a pattern. The last time we were in Corolla and visited Cath and Elliot, he gave me a lot of tips on the construction of his quad line kite. The appliqué is a simple design and the sail is in three pieces; two wings and a center section. It went together in one evening. The hardest part was getting the appliqué centered and even on both wing sections. After the initial measurements and cutting ( and a lot of thinking and planning), it has gone so quick I hadn't even thought about documenting it. I will post a photo when I get the leading edge on it and, hopefully, when it flies. 2 Quote
Happyspoon Posted September 17, 2016 Report Posted September 17, 2016 Thanks for the info! Great to hear it didn't feel time consuming. Do you think this was more complicated than most of your single line kite builds?Can't wait to see it and hope it flies wonderfully!Sent from my SM-G935W8 using KiteLife mobile app Quote
photomom Posted September 17, 2016 Author Report Posted September 17, 2016 Definitely more complicated than a Della Porta, a shield or a rokkaku. It's the leading edge and tab placement that makes this a harder build in my opinion. The 48" ruler is my best friend. 1 Quote
makatakam Posted September 17, 2016 Report Posted September 17, 2016 This may make you re-think the leading edge. I've built it and it works. The only drawback is that it leaves the LE tube exposed and susceptible to abrasion. Note that the "v" in this design is quite shallow, and this in combination with the change in the angles of the sides of the sail give the kite more than 300 square inches more sail area. The dashed line shows the approximate size and shape of a Rev 1.5 for comparison. The only change from this design that I made was to make the air spaces shorter near the middle and progressively longer toward the tips. Less pressure near the tips should add a bit of stability overall. Post pictures when you are done. 1 Quote
photomom Posted September 17, 2016 Author Report Posted September 17, 2016 I'm making a closed sleeve for the LE rods. Tabs are connecting the sail to the LE sleeve. Where the mesh usually goes, I'm leaving open. I hadn't thought about no sleeve at all. Interesting. Thanks for the information. 1 Quote
makatakam Posted September 17, 2016 Report Posted September 17, 2016 I opted for no sleeve to reduce weight. Weighing in at less than 4.5 ounces, including diamond frame, and with about 350 square inches more sail area should make it a light wind demon. However at this point, I realized that I oriented the fabric weave in the wrong direction and will have to make major alterations before the sail sits right on the frame without too much flop in the belly. It will probably be a winter project since I'm too busy flying during the warm months. Quote
riffclown Posted September 17, 2016 Report Posted September 17, 2016 Exciting! Looking foreward to pics. Quote
photomom Posted September 19, 2016 Author Report Posted September 19, 2016 Here it is. The first image of my homemade quad line. It needs just bunjis, end caps and bridle and I'm good to go. 5 Quote
Happyspoon Posted September 19, 2016 Report Posted September 19, 2016 Wow super pretty! I don't know much about quad lines yet but it sure looks like it will fly! The appliqué(?) Locks fantastic too. do you think it's possible to apply pictures to already-built kites?Good luck on the final steps!Sent from my SM-G935W8 using KiteLife mobile app Quote
photomom Posted September 19, 2016 Author Report Posted September 19, 2016 I think it is possible if you can remove the sticks and not distort the sail with the sewing. And you would have to be careful where the bridle points are. 1 Quote
Happyspoon Posted September 19, 2016 Report Posted September 19, 2016 Cool! Thanks again for sharing!Sent from my SM-G935W8 using KiteLife mobile app Quote
makatakam Posted September 19, 2016 Report Posted September 19, 2016 Looks great, but I prefer my bananas with chocolate on them. Should be awesome in light wind, especially if you skip the chocolate. You may find that the leading edge of the sail flutters at higher speeds. If so, you can slip a very small diameter carbon rod into the seam to eliminate the flutter, or sew a stiffer material strip along it. See the photo I posted, the LE is attached to the front and back on this design for that purpose. I am also making a second kite where it only attaches to the front. Quote
Wayne Dowler Posted September 19, 2016 Report Posted September 19, 2016 I don't see any verts in it, so I'm guessing all the wrinkles will come out when fully assembled?!? Very pretty - but I need some veggies to go with it! Quote
riffclown Posted September 19, 2016 Report Posted September 19, 2016 Very nice job.. Love the Bananas.. Quote
Steve Jenkins Posted September 20, 2016 Report Posted September 20, 2016 Very nice indeed. I think I would enjoy making a kite. I know my way around a sewing machine alright. I think I'll start as soon as I complete the slanted baffle down sleeping bag kit that I started in 1973, 43 years and counting! Quote
DrZettl Posted September 20, 2016 Report Posted September 20, 2016 Was the inspiration for the kite Curious George by chance? Quote
photomom Posted September 27, 2016 Author Report Posted September 27, 2016 Well, there's no chocolate sauce but the bunjis, end caps and bridle are now on the banana quad line. Tomorrow, if the weather cooperates, it will have its inaugural flight. If it flies, there will be photos. If it doesn't, it's back to the drawing board. Wish me luck. 2 Quote
makatakam Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 It will fly just fine. I can tell by looking at it. 1 Quote
photomom Posted September 28, 2016 Author Report Posted September 28, 2016 IT FLEW!!!!! The wind was very light, almost too light. But it went up and I was able to do turns and hovers with no problem. YEAH!!! (Pics to follow.) 7 Quote
makatakam Posted September 29, 2016 Report Posted September 29, 2016 Ok, now you must change your handle to "flyingbananas". I had no doubt it would fly. Special kind of fun/warm/fuzzy feeling when one of your own creations flies, ain't it? Quote
photomom Posted September 29, 2016 Author Report Posted September 29, 2016 Yes. It's a feeling I never get tired of. Worth all of the angst of building. The reason for the bananas will become clear at the Carolina Kite Festival. I can guarantee there will be pictures. Now, on to practice, practice and more practice. Quote
Tim P. Posted September 29, 2016 Report Posted September 29, 2016 6 hours ago, photomom said: The reason for the bananas will become clear at the Carolina Kite Festival. I can guarantee there will be pictures. Looks awesome, can't wait to see it in person. Quote
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