Go fly a kite

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
21

From another thread
[QUOTE=kitemaker_chuck]
Hi!

What kind of kite were you trying to make?
My kites are usually traditional single-line kites, though I have three rotor-kites (they’re nice contraptions that need two lines, though I don’t make rotor kites myself.) One of my rotorkites is what’s called an autogyro kite (which I bought back in 1985 through the Edmund Scientific Catalog.)
My other two rotor kites are what’s known as Plottner Rotorkites, and they each have two contra-rotating wooden rotors, set on a central vertical mast. My larger rotorkite has rotors 5 feet in length, and flies very nicely, though at low altitude, (and in high winds, they make a “chopping” sound like helicopter rotors), and that makes things interesting!

Anyhoo, as far as the kites I make…

I make my kites out of ripstop nylon, I use a hot-tacker and hot-cutter and my good ol’ Brother sewing machine. I use composite rods much of the time, but I still kinda’ like wooden dowels.

The most recent kite that I made was a 6-foot, winged boxkite, which is a replica of an old U.S. Weather Bureau kite design from the turn of the last century (around 1900.) It flies great, and like all my kites, is easily assembled and dis-assembled on-site.

Besides boxkites, I like flare kites and roller kites, (actually I like ALL kites, but those last three are my favourites.)

Maybe we could open a kite thread (or line) on the Straight Dope!

Tell me something about the kite you’re making–I’d LOVE to hear about it!
Kitefully yours,
kitemaker_chuck
(Chuck Anderson)
[/QUOTE]
I haven’t found a good description of a “Plottner Rotorkite”, aside from the description for a patent. What the heck is it? Do you have pics?

22

Every spring I go to the drugstore and buy a cheapo little kite. Lilly, Queen of the Universe, and I then go out and fly it. Pure joy - every year - for a couple of bucks. How cool is that?

We usually have two or three aloft at the beach house as well. Come July 16th, we’ll do it again.

23

Yeah, so I asked about kites last week, and while googling around I realized, “shit, it might be fun to make a kite.”

So, about 10 years ago, I had a Chinese roommate. One day he gave me as a gift a piece of Chinese dyed silk about 5 foot square. I’ve always kept it without knowing what to do with it.

Primary color is about this : :confused: :confused: :confused:

With some :mad: :wink: and :o thrown in.

Based on this, I set about making a kite.

I didn’t use his measurements, but all you really need is a crossbar, a main mast, and the two diagonal pieces. So, in a fit of kite-madness, I spent about 8 hours doing straight stitches to make pockets for 1/4 inch dowel, and sewing on the keel. (I haven’t stitched anything since home ec in Jr. High, and started out doing a “whip stitch” on everything until I realized “there has to be a better way” and asked somebody, so I took out all my whip stitches).

Due mainly to the beautiful piece of fabric, I must say, it’s a very nice looking kite. However, the dowels were poking through the ends a little, so I found these little rubber things that you can use to color code your keys, and put them on the end of the dowels, including the crossbeam.

We haven’t had a flea’s fart of a breeze in B-more since I finished it though, but I’m looking forward to beach trip starting next Tuesday. I have gotten it up on some minor, unsteady breezes and with some jogging, though, and have identified and corrected some design flaws. I think it’s going to be a true-flyer.

I’ve also found “kitebuilder.com” and they sell tons of material for kites. . .including lots of little attachments to cap the frames, and connect frame pieces together.

There are some real amazing kites there.

24

[QUOTE=Bobotheoptimist]
From another threadI haven’t found a good description of a “Plottner Rotorkite”, aside from the description for a patent. What the heck is it? Do you have pics?
[/QUOTE]

Hi!

I do have some good pictures of both my Plottner Rotorkites, but can you tell me if there’s a way to post them in this Forum? Or would it be better to send them as attachments to your e-mail address?

I’m not sure if Mr. Plottner is still making rotorkites, but the e-mail address I had was rotorkites@aol.com, so you might give it a try.

Kitefully yours,

kitemaker_chuck
(Chuck Anderson)

25

[QUOTE=kitemaker_chuck]
Hi!

I do have some good pictures of both my Plottner Rotorkites, but can you tell me if there’s a way to post them in this Forum? Or would it be better to send them as attachments to your e-mail address?

I’m not sure if Mr. Plottner is still making rotorkites, but the e-mail address I had was rotorkites@aol.com, so you might give it a try.

Kitefully yours,

kitemaker_chuck
(Chuck Anderson)
[/QUOTE]
They don’t allow pics around here, too frequent inappropriate posts, I hear. If you don’t have an online hosting to link, my email is in my profile (can guests see that?)

Thanks

26

Kitemaker_Chuck & everyone else, I’ve a question. My daughter, sil, & 6-yr-old grandson live in western Nevada. The wind & landscape being wonderful for kiteflying, can you recommend a kite & kitemaker for newbies? Not too expensive, please, so maybe I can gift them.

Thanks.

27

I like these guys and think delta kites are about the easiest to fly, although diamonds (like the rainbow in the OP, from Amazon) are more fun.

$10 to $80 I’d guess, and some don’t come with line so you have to watch out for that.

I just got into this a couple of months ago, so am not very experienced.

28

Thanks, Bobo. I’m trying to refine my search for kites. Does anyone know of a reputable dealer in the Sparks County/Reno, NV area?

Please forgive me if it seems I’m hijacking this thread.

God Bless, & thanks.

29

Thanks, Bobo. I’m trying to refine my search for kites. Does anyone know of a reputable dealer in the Sparks County/Reno, NV area?

Please forgive me if it seems I’m hijacking this thread.

God Bless, & thanks.

30

Pls forgive the dup.

31

[QUOTE=phil417]
Pls forgive the dup.
[/QUOTE]

Hi Phil!

You might try A Wind of Change, at:

http://www.awindofchange.com/links.html

Another good place to check would be the website for the:

American Kitefliers Association.

See ya’!
Kitefully yours,

kitemaker_chuck
(Chuck Anderson)

32

http://www.someinc.net/rotorvideos/