Date: Fri, 2 Sep 1994 12:37:39 -1000 From: cbush@orion.it.luc.edu (Cady) Message-Id: <3489fj$mt@apollo.it.luc.edu> Organization: Loyola University of Chicago Subject: Tail making Hey y'all, I have my eyes on my b-day present. I want a 9' Black Seminole DC from Into the Wind with four tail points. The problem is that I want tails to match the kite and the colors are unusual. My solution to this is to buy tail material rolls from Into the Wind in the colors to match while simultaneously solving my problem of wanting LONG LONG LONG tails. Besides stiching the bottom of the tails so that they don't unravel from wind stress does anyone have any recommendations for me before I create my four sets of three-color 37' tails? (Besides hiring a little elf to untangle them for me.) My useful tibit addendum from the Oxford English Dictionary: Kite: 3a. {From its hovering in the air like the bird} A toy consisting of a light frame, usually of wood, with paper or other light thin material stretched upon it; mostly in the form of an isosceles triangle with a circular arc as base, or a quadrilateral symmetrical about the longer diagonal; constructed (usually with a tail of some kind for the purpose of balancing it) to be {flown, italics theirs} in a strong wind by means of a long string attached. Earliest noted usage is 1664 by Butler. Whew!: How's that for a convoluted outdated definition of Sky-smiling? Your friendly kiting librarian..... Cady = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 3 Sep 1994 16:49:03 -1000 From: garymcvg@aol.com (GaryM CVG) Message-Id: <34bciv$q46@search01.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: Tail making In article <3489fj$mt@apollo.it.luc.edu>, cbush@orion.it.luc.edu (Cady) writes: I hot cut mine and fly without a hem. No problems so far... = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 3 Sep 1994 11:04:09 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: Tail making In article <3489fj$mt@apollo.it.luc.edu> cbush@orion.it.luc.edu (Cady) writes: >Besides stiching the bottom of the tails so that they don't unravel from >wind stress does anyone have any recommendations for me before I create >my four sets of three-color 37' tails? (Besides hiring a little elf to >untangle them for me.) Hmm... a couple of random thoughts: 1) another way to reduce the end-stress is to sew on a loop of line, extending >From both hems, which helps dissapate the energy. 2) If the tails are very long and not hollow, try stuffing them into a stuff-bag (without coiling or winding, just stuff them in). They should just pull straight out. Andrew -- Kite jumping is for morons. If you want to fly, get a hang-glider. Netiquette-of-the-day: Think twice before posting! You can FTP the kite FAQ's from ftp.hawaii.edu (directory /pub/rec/kites/faq) It is generally accepted that the ravings of Frank Kenisky should be ignored. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 9 Sep 1994 07:01:45 -1000 From: sasaki@das.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Message-Id: Organization: Harvard University OIT/NSD Subject: Re: Tail making In article <3489fj$mt@apollo.it.luc.edu>, cbush@orion.it.luc.edu (Cady) writes: >Besides stiching the bottom of the tails so that they don't unravel from >wind stress does anyone have any recommendations for me before I create >my four sets of three-color 37' tails? (Besides hiring a little elf to >untangle them for me.) One thing that I've noticed is that the tails on Dyna Kites hold up pretty well to wear and tear. They are made out of 1.5 ounce ripstop nylon that is hot cut into strips. The heavier fabric really helps keep unraveling under control. Another thing to try is surveyors tape. This is plastic tape about an inch wide. It comes in bright colors and is reusable. When I fly a rokkaku, I often attach crepe paper tails the kite. The paper is beautiful and relatively inexpensive. I can often get three or four uses out of the tails before they get wet and have to be discarded. -- Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrications sasaki@noc.harvard.edu Network Services Division 26 Green Street 617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-522-8546 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 12 Sep 1994 04:43:22 -1000 From: zpmobley@trident.tec.sc.us Message-Id: <351pea$6i3@ns.sunbelt.net> Organization: Trident Technical College Subject: Re: Tail making In article <3489fj$mt@apollo.it.luc.edu>, cbush@orion.it.luc.edu (Cady) writes: >Besides stiching the bottom of the tails so that they don't unravel from >wind stress does anyone have any recommendations for me before I create >my four sets of three-color 37' tails? (Besides hiring a little elf to >untangle them for me.) > I use ribbon from cloth shops. It can be a little heavy depending on your choice, but it's generally good material, lots of choices of color and width, and is generally seamed on the sides. I attach the ends together in a multi-threaded tail with a quick seam as well as the grommet I attach the lanyard to. Application of a heat gun at the ends or a quick seam with the sewing machine will prevent the ends from fraying. (oh, you didn't wanna know that did you ) May the wind be with you, Tom ________________________________________________________________________________ Thomas C. Mobley Trident Technical College POB 118067 Charleston SC 2943-8067 ZPMOBLEY@TRIDENT.TEC.SC.US The above well reasoned and insightful opinion is my own, and not the opinion of Trident Technical College. Anyone who says different is itching for a fight. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 5 Sep 1994 12:49:46 -1000 From: allanc@syacus.acus.oz.au (Allan Charlton) Message-Id: Organization: Australian Centre for Unisys Software, ACUS Subject: RE: Tail making I recently made a 40 metre (~130 ft) tube tail. From that experience: 1. 40 metres is too long to inflate properly. It only inflates down to about 30 metres, and the last bit behaves like a ribbon. It still looks good, though. I'm tempted to cut my 40 metres into two 20 metre tails, and connect them in tandem. That way, the second 20 might inflate properly. Does anybody have any thoughts/experience on this? 2. I made a bag with a draw string. To pack the tail, I simply start at the tail end, stuffing it into the bag until I get to the kite end. That has a little 3-leg bridle and a snap swivel, which I attach to the bag closer string. So far, it has never tangled. If I were making a four-tail set, I would go to the trouble of making four bags, and a fifth bag to keep the set in. It's a lot of trouble, but worth it for the smug feeling when other people are untangling their tails :-) 3. I closed the end of my tube tail. Since it doesn't fully inflate, I don't know whether I did the right thing or not. 4. Don't sew the whole length before turning it inside out. Sew about a foot or so, then turn it inside out so the sewn end is pointing towards you as you sew the next bit. Leaving the sewing machine needle down, pull the end through and continue. I did my 40 metres much faster and easier than I thought possible. Enjoy! Allan allanc@syacus.acus.oz.au = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 13 Sep 1994 03:48:55 -1000 From: dlwspr@ritvax.isc.rit.edu Message-Id: <1994Sep13.134855.2908@ultb.isc.rit.edu> Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology Subject: RE: Tail making I have made several tube tails of varying lengths: 20 ft - 150+ ft. It was not mentioned what size diameter the 40 meter tube is. I have found that for a 40 meter tail it should be at least 8-9 inches in diameter. I also found that making the opening of the tube flared out to capture more air also helps. The smaller the diameter, the greater chance of collapsing. Hope this helps!! Fly High!! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =