Fixing a kite Alone

[Petro9]

I wanted to find out if anyone out there has fixed their kites by themselves without sending it for repair.
I am wondering if one can use a regular sewing machine?
What type of thread/needle size should be used?
What kind of patching material?
What kind of glue can be used?

Thanks in advance!!

[fokiten]

just use the tape (sail bandage) from west marine for nylon tears, I taped a kite that was shredded i mean long mutiple tears with this tape worked great, had to add one knot to balance the kite for the weight change, bladder tears use the white sail tape and sew around the edge, you have to open a seam to get in more tech but very do-able, dacron thread your machine? wait till she's gone and go for it.

[Johnny TBKS]

DWIGHT!!!! Someone go and get Dwight for this one. This guy needs some kite sewing lessons..


Johnny

[Dwight]

There is a long discussion about this somewhere on this forum.

I use a home sewing machine. It's perfect. http://www.sailmakerssupply.com

Get the needles, the v92 thread, and seam stick tape. The seam stick tape is the secret. Once put in the seam, your repair is solid. Get 1 yard of dacron to make patches which you put inside the bladder. You can get matching nylon canopy material at sport kite shops. It's not polyester, so don't do big repairs with it. I leave the bladde in when I do repairs. It's easy to push the bladder out of the way and keep track of where it is when sewing.

[Guest]

thanks for the feedback. Very helpful.