How to Make a Cellular Kite

Member

By WaterMouse
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (3 Ratings)

Make a Cellular Kite

A "cellular" kite is one that is built from several smaller kites, or "cells." These cells are usually triangular in shape and can be stacked together to create colossal sized monster kites! This is a brief article on how to construct a single cell to be used on the making of such a kite.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Kite fabric
Carbon Fibre Tube - 4mm diameter - 6 x 48cm lengths
12 Screw eyes - 20 or 23mm (the type used for net curtains)
A bag of 4mm plastic zip ties
Needle and thread

Step 1

Into each end of the 6 carbon fibre tubes glue a screw eye; four of the pieces need the screw eyes at right angles to each other (edge poles), the other two need them aligned the same (cross poles). Laying the poles out and putting them together mentally in your head may help with this step.
Step 2

The shape of the fabric is based on two 50cm triangles. It needs to be cut to leave enough on each side for a hem to hold the poles. I recommend that you leave at least 2cm, but it is easier with 3. Sew the four edges allowing a hem on each side to hold the edge poles. Cut enough from each corner to allow the poles to poke through. Insert the four edge poles, one into each hemmed edge.
Step 3

Now you must fasten the poles together. Line up the eyes at the ends of the poles, and where they overlap place one of the plastic, 4mm zip ties through and pull tight. 4mm is recommended because for larger kites, anything less tends to become unstable.
Step 4

This is a picture of the fully assembled frame
Step 5

This is a picture of the fully assembled kite, with skin and all

How to Make a Cellular Kite

Things You'll Need:

Comments

GigiFab said

pianistic said

Post a Comment

Related Ads