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DIY Foil Kites

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stefmoris
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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby stefmoris » Wed Oct 11, 2017 6:12 am

Thanks guys!

Kitexpert I totally agree that no trimming is the goal, no unnecessary deforming of the kite.

-stef

mgs
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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby mgs » Wed Oct 11, 2017 8:24 pm

Stef – You are certainly a very talented individual, from planning, manufacturing, documenting as well as presenting the finished product via video which are excellent.
Looking at step 14 “Assembly Bridle Lines” using Liros DC lines, I will look into making bridle lines the very same way as splicing and sewing through a single line looks easier than sewing a looped bridle line with a dyneema core.

stefmoris
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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby stefmoris » Thu Oct 12, 2017 9:53 pm

Thanks mgs! on a previous generation I used sheathed lines and it was definitely more difficult. With both types of line I made custom presser foots (3D printed) to hold the line perfectly - but the Liros DC lines are very easy to work/splice with. -stef

volume311
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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby volume311 » Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:46 am

What do you mean by "presser foots", just curious about your splicing setup. Awesome work!

stefmoris
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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby stefmoris » Fri Oct 13, 2017 7:40 am

Hi volume311.

The presser foot is the part on the sewing machine that presses the material against the feed dogs, pulling the material along perfectly timed with the up and down of the needle. I design and 3d print my own presser feet because the foot that came with the machine is not able to hold the very thin diameter lines perfectly in place.

As you can see in the bottom picture, the guide I made for when I used to use the sheathed line would squeeze the line together and hold it steady. I broke a lot of needles!!!!!

I should also add that I have a cheap home sewing machine. I imagine a more professional machine would be more predictable and easier. -stef

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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby socommk23 » Fri Oct 13, 2017 8:25 am

When it finally arrives I'll be making new bridles for my fone diablo. They are threaded into themselves and sewn. A technique I really like for simplicity but I no longer have a sewing machine or that presser foot of yours.....looks like it would make my task a hell of a lot easier. But I'll be sticking with a brommel lock splice, will be strong enough and your right, the dc line is super easy to work with.

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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby volume311 » Sat Oct 14, 2017 6:54 pm

Very smart solution! From watching the "how to make a kite" video in the dumpster fire of a thread on the main page, the production bridals are stitched by hand feeding the machine, but like you said, proper machines and the kite makers run thousands of bridals.

stefmoris
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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby stefmoris » Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:43 pm

Happy (late) New Year fellow kitemakers! Next generation in progress :) -stef


stefmoris
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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby stefmoris » Sat Jan 27, 2018 6:27 pm

Hi all, the next generation is well underway :) Same 25 cells but aspect 6 instead of 6.75, and new profile as well as a lot of subtle changes as I try to perfect my design.

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I also made some custom adjustment rings (so I can dial in my kite and only have to undo knots on the mixer one time at the end!!) and if any of you would like to 3D print them for yourselves here is the stl . (obviously you can scale up the stl if you want even more coarse adjustment.):

http://www.stefanomoris.com/forumposts/ ... a/ring.STL
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mgs
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Re: DIY Foil Kites

Postby mgs » Sun Jan 28, 2018 8:16 am

Hello Stef – That’s a very neat idea and looking forward to seeing your next project.


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