From another thread
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?
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.
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 : 
With some :mad: 
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pls forgive the dup.
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)