New information comes to our attention as an ongoing process. A lot of times the "new" information is just information that has been around for quite a while, but just recently been brought to my attention.
This page is to be used for this "new" or "old new" information of general interest. When I feel it will be of help, I will post said information to this page. If you know of some "new/old' information that should be shared, let me know, and I can add to this page.
Just send what you want to share to dave@kiteguy.info or to kiteguy@kiteguy.info. We all thank you.
NEEDLES: There is a lot more information about the needles we use in our kite building machines. Here is an excellent collection of that information saved in PDF format. Feel free to use, or pass it on. Needles.PDF
SOFTWARE: This is a link to some software that will let you make a PL Pilot kite at any size you wish. It is in a Microsoft Excel format. Pilot Scaling SoftwareThis is a link to some software that allows you to scale a "beach ball" to any size you choose. It also calculates how much material you will need. Beach Ball Calculator
Another excellent software for making soccer ball ground bouncers would be this one. It is from the Netherlands, but I do not rimember, or find, the actual source. If you know, please inform me so I can give credit. This allows you to make any size ball you choose, by changing just one number in the spreadsheet. It is in Dutch, but you should be able to work around that. No instructions, but you can find those all over the place. For the software, just look for the Soccer Ball software.
There are at least two "books" out there telling everything you want to know, but did not know to ask about sled kites.
One of these books is by a well known kite builder/author. It is the Sled Kite Booklet here in PDF format.
The other "book" on sled kites is actually a complete website saved in PDF format. I call it the Sledbook.
Here is a link to some fairly easy kites for kids. These are very inexpensive, too. Just sheets of plastic (Painter drop cloth?) with no spars to worry about. The Pan Flute Sled, and a Ram Air Sled kite are presented. There is also a page of excellent tips for working with the plastic. Take a look at: http://www.easykitesforkids.netfirms.com/index.htm
And here is another "book" that you may be able to use. It is a coloring book with Celtic patterns, animals, etc. in PDF format. Feel free to check it out and see if there is something you can use.
JOKE ABOUT KITESQUID: Here is a well known personality working hard. Hard at work.
TUTORIAL RELEASED DIRECTIONS FOR THE CHEW TOY: NOTICE: Not to be used for commercial purposes! I have decided to put the Puppy Chew Toy line laundry project up for any/all interested kitebuilders to use. It is a pointed ball made from 5 point stars. It goes together easily, and gives an interesting shape. Here are the directions used in several workshops in Kansas, Oregon, Illinois, and Washington. Feel free to contact me if you have questions. Puppy Chew Toy
Here is a photo of one of the balls, and the original Puppy Chew Toy.
BIAS TAPE: So, you need a really long piece of bias tape cut from ripstop. Here is a tutorial on how to do that, if you are careful. Cutting Continuous Bias Tape
So, you want to build a kite, but you need some step by step directions? Well, here is some software for you. There are several basic kites presented in this software package. The software is a Windows based program, and it has been around for a long time. It takes you all the info you need to complete a kite. You will need to unzip the folder that contains the software. I think that there are 6, or so, different kites presented.
Dave Holt has made many inflatable kites, and line laundry items. He has a smallish duel line foil kite. I also decided to square off the trailing edge and make it a quad kite. I made a spreadsheet to show the changes I made. It shows the measurements in cm instead o percentage as on the original plans. If you would like to take a look, go take a look. You will need to be able to access the Microsoft Excel sheet. There are several readers out there, so that should not be a problem. Scepter II
I found some information about Parachute Loft tools, tips, and machines. There is a LOT of information there that is relevant to kite builders, as well. Go HERE to find Chapter 6 (in PDF format) and see what tidbits you can find for your use.
So, you want to build a kite, but you need some step by step directions? Well, here is some software for you. There are several basic kites presented in this software package. The software is a Windows based program, and it has been around for a long time. It takes you all the info you need to complete a kite. You will need to unzip the folder that contains the software. I think that there are 6, or so, different kites presented.
Dave Holt has made many inflatable kites, and line laundry items. He has a smallish duel line foil kite. I also decided to square off the trailing edge and make it a quad kite. I made a spreadsheet to show the changes I made. It shows the measurements in cm instead o percentage as on the original plans. If you would like to take a look, go take a look. You will need to be able to access the Microsoft Excel sheet. There are several readers out there, so that should not be a problem. Scepter II
I found some information about Parachute Loft tools, tips, and machines. There is a LOT of information there that is relevant to kite builders, as well. Go HERE to find Chapter 6 (in PDF format) and see what tidbits you can find for your use.