Nothing is better than the feeling of satisfaction you get when a kite you have made flies for the first time. Making kites is easy. Well, it can be if you pick the right type of kite. For the beginner, a sled kite made out of an old bin-bag (OK, a new one will smell less) and a couple of sticks is the place to start. You Will Need - A bin-bag at least 800mm x 450mm (2'8" x 1'6"). 2 sticks (split bamboo garden stakes are ideal) 450mm (1'6") long. Some string and sellotape.
Clicking on the diagram will take you to a Flash animation of how to make the kite. Method Cut the bin-bag to the shape in the drawing. Keeping the plastic flat, use sellotape to stick the two sticks to it. Reinforce both wing tips with sellotape. For the tail, make a loop of polythene about 1.8m (6') long and 35mm (1½") wide from the left-over material from the bin-bag, and stick each end to the kite. The kite will fly without a tail, but will fly better with one. Cutting two holes towards the rear edge of the kite will help it fly in stronger winds. To attach the bridle, make a hole at each 'wing-tip' and tie a piece of thin string about 2400mm (7'10") long to each hole. At the middle of the bridle tie a small loop in the string to attach the line. Tie on the line, which for a kite of this size only needs to be slightly thicker than button thread, and you are ready to go. | |
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