Date: Thu, 22 Dec 1994 14:59:51 -1000 From: MNVS01A@prodigy.com (Kel Krosschell) Message-Id: <3dd7e7$8js@usenetw1.news.prodigy.com> Organization: Prodigy Services Company 1-800-PRODIGY Subject: MICROKITES and down... Over the last couple of years I've been building and flying what I call "microkites" -- arbitrarily starting at the one square inch level. Most of the flying is indoors, but at several Minnesota Kite Society events where the wind dropped all else, I was able to fly them in the natural wind. I sent some to the new group IFOSK, but am interested in finding others that may also be working into the sub-square-inch arena. In particular it has been nearly impossible to get size details at this point. My particular method has been to halve the sail area for each new generation: 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, etc. I recently demonstrated the 1/8 square-inch diamond to a group from the MKS after a small kite building workshop we sponsored. As a new kiter to rec.kites, I wonder if there are others online that are either active, or know of activity in the microkite and down end of the kite spectrum? Kel Krosschell (a Minnesota KiteNut) MKS IFOSK = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 25 Dec 1994 07:06:21 -1000 From: Thom Shanken Message-Id: Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Subject: Re: MICROKITES and down... Kel Krosschell writes: >As a new kiter to rec.kites, I wonder if there are others online that are >either active, or know of activity in the microkite and down end of the >kite spectrum? Greetings Kel! There are many of us here who enjoy small kites. As for myself, I even enjoy making them edible. Feel free to start a thread on small kites, the folks around rec.kites have alot to offer.....in fact, I've been meaning to e-mail Carl Crowell about a comment he made re: flying kite pins. I believe Carl said he used titanium foil ( are you serious Carl?). Have a wonderful holiday all! Thom :) (thomshanken@delphi.com) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 12:55:15 -1000 From: hayden1009@aol.com (Hayden1009) Message-Id: <3dveoj$hj7@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: MICROKITES and down... Kel Krosschell writes: > been building & flying "microkites" ... interested in finding others > working in sub-square-inch arena. > are others online that are active, or know of activity in the microkites? I'm interest in small kites. The smallest I've built is about 1.5"x.75", with long tails for stability. I have flown it outdoors. I built it out of broom wisps lashed together with silk and covered with a painted tissue sail. I have since taken Charlie Sotich's class on cocktail napkin kites, fun but larger and the fishing line spars are even heavier than the broom wisps. About the sub inch stuff...what do you use for spars? How do you attach the spars and bridle lines to the sail? As far as that goes what do you use for the sail? Alice Hayden /\ \/ ( ( Alice Hayden 8^) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 11:54:14 -1000 From: MNVS01A@prodigy.com (Kel Krosschell) Message-Id: <3e1vi6$4mjm@usenetp1.news.prodigy.com> Organization: Prodigy Services Company 1-800-PRODIGY Subject: Re: MICROKITES and down... Several have responded by E-mail, so I've been sending some basic info to them individually. I have a "fact sheet" describing some of the keys I've used to continue below the square inch level, so I'll add that to this note if I can and hope it is OK with the rec.kite group. Kel_._ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- MICROKITES AND DOWN - share the news sheet. Kel Krosschell 219 NW 42 AVE Rochester, MN 55901-7532 Thanks for your interest in the world of small kiting. I've been at it for several years now, at first just as a curiosity, now as more of a challenge. As some people indicate, there are physical limits that you will run into as the kites get smaller. These need to be studied and then you have the opportunity for "invention", or as some say "new art". I started with bamboo spars and either tissue paper or Baggies(R) sandwich bag polyethylene as the sail materials. At the several square inch level I found it difficult to split the bamboo smaller and still get it balanced. I also found it hard to get the framework secured to the sail reliably. I was using standard sewing thread for flying line, and of course it's weight and drag were becoming significant. Invention 1: Material. I found some aluminized mylar wrapping paper on a close-out sale that I thought would look great as a kite sail. I soon realized that even though it was very thin, it was much stiffer than polyethylene. The brand available in this area is Pizzaz-wrap(R). Invention 2: Spars(actually sparless). I had the idea to use creases/folds to stiffen it and become the "frame". So I doubled the mylar, cut out a "half-kite pattern" and now had a diamond kite, perfectly balanced, with the spine spar built in (the original crease). I opened this up and, using a straight-edge lightly scored in a cross spar. I carefully creased this "spar", and then by experiment flattened the kite out while still retaining enough rigidity. Invention 3: Since the line needed to be smaller than sewing thread I began searching for a thinner substitute. After a loooooong time I was repairing some 150# Dacron line and wondered how small the individual fibers were. So I cut off about a 6 foot length and pulled out one of the "yarns" making up the major braid pattern. Out of this yarn I carefully pulled a single fiber a few inches, then slid the rest of the yarn down. By carefully repeating this process I was able to extract one fiber for use as my flying line. I found it to be about .0015 inches in diameter, very smooth, and very limp...perfect! Finishing up. I used a single point attachment. By melting the line end with a lighter/candle/match a small ball is formed. I then used an Exacto(R) knife to cut a tiny rectangle of transparent tape for the attachment. I pick up the tape with the tip of the knife, place it on the line to pick it up, position it on the spine crease of the kite and press down. I find it necessary to re-crease the spine because the tape will flatten the kite. I used a 8 or 9 inch piece of sewing thread for the tail, attaching it the same way, with a small rectangle of tape. Usually the flying is indoors, and at this level you must be conscious of the turbulence created by your movements through the air, as well as any air movement due to heating/cooling etc. The real fun is the outdoor flying on the nearly windless days. I store the kites in small plastic boxes found in hobby shops. (Less than a penny for the kite, 79 cents plus tax for the box!) I haven't made a .GIF illustration sheet, because this had been my "own little secret", but now that I've gone public to challenge the kiting community, I suppose I should. Let me know if you'd be interested. As far as getting smaller, I scale things down, find the new barriers (hint: flying line, tail material, etc.) and then find new/better "stuff" to keep on going. I usually don't consider one kite as a reliable design. My rule is that I must be able to replicate it successfully. I don't have a set rule for flying line length. Remember that a square inch microkite is about 650 times smaller than a diamond kite with 3 foot spars like a TRLBY(R). So if everyone agrees that the 3 foot kite is flying if it is up on 100 feet of string, how much line do you need to legitimately "fly" a square- incher? I prefer to determine flight by the rules of lift and stability. It must lift above the towing point, and must be a stable flyer. Young kids are especially fascinated with the "baby kite". A friend of mine uses them in his volunteer work with physically handicapped children. They enjoy flying them from their wheelchairs as they go up and down the halls. This is my "pay" for the labor involved. Well, I think I've given you some key info to get your feet wet. Be warned that you may find that this gets into your blood and takes away >From your other kite time. Winter is especially a good opportunity to keep warm and think small. Any feedback is appreciated. Kel_._ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 17:29:39 -1000 From: hayden1009@aol.com (Hayden1009) Message-Id: <3e2j73$sc5@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: MICROKITES and down... Kel Krosschell & Selig, Some great stuff on micro kites, since weather reports for this weekend aren't great. May have to have me my own mega fly indoors. /\ \/ ) ) Alice Hayden 8^) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 18:31:05 -1000 From: johnsen@eskimo.com (Brian Johnsen) Message-Id: Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever Subject: Re: MICROKITES and down... In article <3e2j73$sc5@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, Hayden1009 wrote: > Kel Krosschell & Selig, Some great stuff on micro kites, since weather >reports for this weekend aren't great. May have to have me my own mega >fly indoors. ;) My ceiling has scuff marks and all the pictures & lamp shades are crooked. -- "John Belushi Materialized In My Hot Tub And Demanded X-Ray Specs" Implies Spanish Meta-physicist -- Brian Johnsen johnsen@eskimo.com Seattle, Washington, USA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =