tiptrick

BUILDING TIPS&TRICKS

Making the bridle

Ever tried to make a bridle with tied loops and keep the line lengths the same?
A far easier way is to make a bridle with slip knots.
Use Dacron for the bridle lines. Due to the relative short lines stretch is not an issue here, and Dacron is sturdier than spectra or Dyneema.. ( for foils you should use one of those however )
The “mushroom” at the end of the line is made by melting it with a lighter, and then tapping it to the side of the lighter so the melted part flattens a bit.

1: Tie a knot around the connector and pull it tight. Cut off the line just behind the knot.
Loosen it and measure how much is needed for it.
2: Cut off the lengths ( adding the lengths for the knots ) needed for the bridle, Make “mushrooms” at the ends with a lighter.
3: Tie the bridle with a slipknot to the kite.

In case you’re wondering about strength: I use it on kites that tear 500 pound lines: never lost a bridle...

Looking for the optimal bridle setting ? It’s hard to determine if you change both rings at the same time: either the wind has changed, or the feel how it flew the last time is gone.
When your kite is flying reasonably, try shifting ONE attachment ring slightly up or down... you can easily feel the difference in performance if you fly left or right from the center.

The center tunnel

Most kites can do without a middle tunnel: use a single strip of Dacron instead. The kite will be easier to make, stronger and easier to disassemble in case of breakage. Another advantage is that some kites will turn somewhat faster because the sail can slide sideways a bit.

The hole for the center T is stronger and the bottom pocket is easily made out of Velcro. Add a drilled piece of tubing to absorb shocks.

Dissapearing ripstop When you start sewing at the edge of a panel sometimes the needle will push the fabric in the machine. You can avoid this by putting a strip of thin paper or cellophane under the fabric. When you’re finished just tear it off.

Scrooge and co. Don’t you hate it when you are sewing and you touch the sewing plate with the needle: point dented. And you always find out you have no spares when the shops are closed.... Ask your dentist... he uses small grinding wheels (?) slightly less than an inch in diameter. Glue it on a bobbin of your sewing machine and place it on the winder: always something at hand to sharpen the needle.

Cut outs: Reinforcements are stronger if you cut hem out diagonally. Cloth tears easily parralel to the weave. If the weave of the reinforcement is at a 45 degree angle compared to the weave of the sail or tunnel, it will be stronger in all directions.

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