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Kites are a very simple apparatus. They have 4 parts: The frame, the cover, tail, and the yoke. For the purposes of this article we are using a simple “Cutter Design” to illustrate.
FRAME: This section is usually made from balsa wood. You can use this material but I prefer using bamboo. It is lightweight, sturdy, and flexible. With bamboo you will have to split it. The safest way to do this is to lay the bamboo on the ground. Starting near one end, insert the tip of a knife through the center until it comes out the other side. Next, stand the bamboo up on its end and tap the knife blade until you have reached the bottom. I use a small wooden mallet to tap with. Splitting the bamboo this way is safe because your hands are not near the knife blade. If the bamboo is still too thick, split it again using the same method. Just remember that the smaller your kite is, the thinner your sticks should be.
The piece of bamboo that you have chosen for the horizontal stick has to be balanced. Once you have cut it to size, make a mark at its center point. Place the center point on your finger. If the stick drops to one side, shave a little piece from that end. Once you have shaved the piece off, test it again. Repeat this process until the bamboo is balanced.
The vertical piece should be tested the same way except; this piece should be heavier at the bottom. Mark the end that dips toward the floor. If it is balanced, shave a piece off one side. Make sure you mark the end that is the heaviest. You will need to know this when you are assembling your kite.
The next step is to bind the vertical and horizontal sticks together. Match up the center marks and make sure the heavy end of the vertical is at the bottom end of the kite. Now, slide the horizontal stick about 2/3 of the distance from the bottom of the kite. For example: if the vertical stick is 36 inches long the horizontal stick will be 24 inches from the bottom. Okay, once you have found that point, wrap string, over, under, and around and tie a double knot to secure both sticks (they will look like a cross). Finally, apply wood glue and let it dry for 30 minutes. After the glue is dry, cut a small notch at each end of the bamboo sticks. Next cut a length of string that stretch from one side of the horizontal stick to the other. After you have done that, cut about 3/8th of an inch off the string, put knots in both ends and slip the knots into the notches at the end of the stick This will form a “Cutter” shape.
COVER: The covering on your kite is completely your choice. You can choose from tissue paper to silk. Choose lightweight coverings. If you choose a fabric choose one that is tightly woven.
Spread the material out on a flat surface. Place your frame down on top of it. Using a pencil and a ruler, trace the outline of the frame on the paper. With the ruler make a margin about 1 to 11/2 inches wide. Cut “V” shaped notches at each corner where the sticks end. Now comes the fun part. Decorate your cover. Make it look like whatever you want it to. When you’re finished, lightly apply wood glue to the frame. Don’t over-do it. Replace the frame in the same position and fold and glue the margins. You can use the same technique with fabrics but you may want to use a needle and thread instead of glue.
YOKE: This apparatus will become the attachment point for your line and will allow you to make corrections in the flying qualities of your kite. First, cut two pieces of string. One piece will be 4 inches longer than the kite’s length and the other piece will be 4 inches longer than its width. You are also going to need a metal washer that has an inside diameter of ½ inch. Thread both strings through the washer looping them around twice (once on each side). Then tie off the ends of the string to the ends of the bamboo sticks. The longer string goes to the vertical and the shorter string to the horizontal. This device should be able to slide up and down and left and right. This device will come in handy when you test your kite.
TAIL: This is the part of the kite that adds stability. In general, it should be about 5 times the length of the kite. Use the same material that was used for the cover. Tie a few extra strips at the end as streamers.
TESTING THE KITE: Adjust the washer so that it is centered at the spot where the two bamboo sticks cross. Secure the washer with a piece of adhesive tape. Hold the kite into the wind. If it doesn’t lift up at a 45-degree angle, release the tape and slide the washer up. If it just flutters, move the ring down. If the kite swings to the left, move the ring to the right. Finally, if the kite moves to the right, move the ring to the left. When you are finished, make sure the ring is secure with a piece of adhesive tape.
The tail may also cause the kite to sink if it is too heavy. If you have made all the other adjustments and the kite is still sinking, shorten the tail. A tail that is too short will cause the kite to loop. In this case add more to the tail.
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