Date: Wed, 10 Aug 1994 12:39:17 -1000 From: dave@radon.cchem.berkeley.edu (David Osborn) Message-Id: Organization: University of California, Berkeley Subject: stunt line LENGTHS I fly my 2 line stunt kite with handles that allow me to fly with all my line or shorter lengths. I am getting ready to try flying with straps, and have a few questions. 1) When using straps, do you have several sets of lines with different lengths which you choose from, or is there some other way to store extra line when flying short? 2) What lengths do people usually use for basic flying? 150' seems about right to me. 3) If I do end up cutting my lines to a certain length, is there still some clever way to allow adjustments of an inch or two to do the final matching of the two line lengths? David Osborn = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 10 Aug 1994 14:48:12 -1000 From: gaffer@ibmpcug.co.uk (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organiszation Subject: Re: stunt line LENGTHS David Osborn wrote: >1) When using straps, do you have several sets of lines with different >lengths which you choose from, or is there some other way to store extra >line when flying short? Most people have different length lines, but I somtimes halve the line length by doubling the lines over. >2) What lengths do people usually use for basic flying? 150' seems about >right to me. Length is a matter of taste and practicality. You want longer to fit more manoevers in the sky for precision, shorter for tighter control or to fit within the field... Nothing wrong with 150' >3) If I do end up cutting my lines to a certain length, is there still >some clever way to allow adjustments of an inch or two to do the final >matching of the two line lengths? Set them identical to each other. After a bit of use, re-check and re-tie the sleeving loop as necessary. Andrew -- This is not the account that I usually Email from. Please continue to use my usual addresses, thankyou: Work, computer stuff, demands for payment -> gaffer@rec.com Play, kite stuff, party invites, offers of Pizza -> andrew@tug.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 11 Aug 1994 00:09:43 -1000 From: andrewh@holly.harvard.edu (Andrew Hawken) Message-Id: <32ctd7$208@beta.qmw.ac.uk> Organization: Queen Mary & Westfield College, London, UK Subject: Re: stunt line LENGTHS David Osborn (dave@radon.cchem.berkeley.edu) wrote: : 3) If I do end up cutting my lines to a certain length, is there still : some clever way to allow adjustments of an inch or two to do the final : matching of the two line lengths? If you use a clever device called a line equaliser (basically just a balance) you can tie them the same length. After use they will stretch, and you have to re-tie them the same length. If you are re-using your old lines then you should get it right first time. Andy -- ____________________________Andrew Hawken______________________________ "However many ways there may be of being alive, it is certain that there are vastly more ways of being dead" R Dawkins. Home : 0895 420110 QMW : 071 975 5542 AIIT : 0494 677045 Email : A.Hawken@QMW.AC.UK = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 11 Aug 1994 06:06:52 -1000 From: sc5@prism.gatech.edu (Stephen P. Cseplo) Message-Id: <32dias$ktk@acmex.gatech.edu> Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology Subject: Re: stunt line LENGTHS In article , David Osborn wrote: > >1) When using straps, do you have several sets of lines with different >lengths which you choose from, or is there some other way to store extra >line when flying short? Most people have several sets of lines. For storage, figure 8 winders work well and halo spools aren't that bad either. Some people use old computer tape spools. >2) What lengths do people usually use for basic flying? 150' seems about >right to me. Personally, I prefer 90'-100' lines. 50' (+ or -) lines are alot of fun for just "goofing off" but aren't very practical for getting any type of practise in for precission. In low/no wind conditions, lines of less than 50' and at most 45 lb. spectre are pretty much a requirement in my experience. I will say that with shorter lines the action comes fast a furious in a decent breeze. >3) If I do end up cutting my lines to a certain length, is there still >some clever way to allow adjustments of an inch or two to do the final >matching of the two line lengths? Best device is an Equilizer. Get them about the same lenght, tie one up then adjust the other line to match. Also, pre-stretch your lines by anchoring them and then pulling on the other end before setting them. If you don't pre-stretch, after even 15 minutes of flight, they won't be the same lenght any more due to stretch. Gentle breezes, Steve ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ | Steve Cseplo |A| The Mad Hata | | sc5@prism.gatech.edu |K| | | AKA Region 4 Director |A| "Hey, mon...Tako Kichi!" | ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 11 Aug 1994 06:36:51 -1000 From: gaffer@ibmpcug.co.uk (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organiszation Subject: Re: stunt line LENGTHS Andrew Hawken wrote: >If you use a clever device called a line equaliser (basically just a >balance) you can tie them the same length. I bought a line equaliser once. It was a loveley see-through neon colour, but it has *never* been to hand when I've wanted it (anyone who has seen the chaos that I fly in will understand this...). I check how equal the line lengths are by placing the lines over adjacent fingers, pulling and observing the *sag* along the length of the line. A very small adjustment in the line length makes a significant and easily observed difference in the amount of sag. You owe the Kite oracle a 60m pocket rule. Andrew -- This is not the account that I usually Email from. Please continue to use my usual addresses, thankyou: Work, computer stuff, demands for payment -> gaffer@rec.com Play, kite stuff, party invites, offers of Pizza -> andrew@tug.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 11 Aug 1994 06:00:17 -1000 From: johnsona@novell2.chnt.gtegsc.com (Al Johnson) Message-Id: <32dhuh$1a3@europa.eng.gtefsd.com> Organization: GTE Federal Systems Division Subject: Re: stunt line LENGTHS In message , dave@radon.cchem.berkeley.edu (David Osborn) writes: >I fly my 2 line stunt kite with handles that allow me to fly with all my >line or shorter lengths. I am getting ready to try flying with straps, and >have a few questions. > >1) When using straps, do you have several sets of lines with different >lengths which you choose from, or is there some other way to store extra >line when flying short? I have lengths of 70 and 100 feet of varying weight lines. Takes up some room in the bag but seems to work out ok. > >2) What lengths do people usually use for basic flying? 150' seems about >right to me. > I prefer 100' over 150 but that is probably just me. >3) If I do end up cutting my lines to a certain length, is there still >some clever way to allow adjustments of an inch or two to do the final >matching of the two line lengths? I haven't found anything clever other than simply adjusting them. Put both lines on a nail or something and extend the lines. You can then adjust the sleeving or knots on the end until they are the same length. Kind of a nuisance but I don't know any other way. > >David Osborn Al Johnson = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 11 Aug 1994 11:06:01 -1000 From: kevin@hawaii.edu (Kevin Mayeshiro) Message-Id: Organization: University of Hawaii Subject: Re: stunt line LENGTHS David Osborn (dave@radon.cchem.berkeley.edu) wrote: : 3) If I do end up cutting my lines to a certain length, is there still : some clever way to allow adjustments of an inch or two to do the final : matching of the two line lengths? People have mentioned the line equalizer and other ways of making the lines even. Now I am wondering... How many people use a dacron loop near the handle end of the line for quick adjustments? The loops are less than a foot in length, and they make it easy to adjust the lengths. If your line breaks, you can splice the broken side together and shorten the dacron end of the other to match the length on both sides. This is nice since you don't have to splice both sides. (And pretty quick if you are in a hurry.) Think that Top-Shelf Ready-to-Fly lines from High Fly are this way. - Kevin -- When posting, please keep quoted material to a minimum. rec.kites archive: ftp.hawaii.edu:/pub/rec/kites mirrors: ftp.uni-bremen.de:/pub/kites, ftp.funet.fi:/pub/misc/kites = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 11 Aug 1994 22:27:14 -1000 From: chill@wv.mentorg.com (Chris Hill) Message-Id: <32fbp2$n43@newsgw.mentorg.com> Organization: Mentor Graphics, European Technical Centre Subject: Re: stunt line LENGTHS In article , gaffer@ibmpcug.co.uk (Andrew Beattie) writes: |> |> You owe the Kite oracle a 60m pocket rule. |> My, Kite oracle, what big pockets you have. Or, are you just pleased to see us? -- Chris_Hill@mentorg.com Mr Paranoid sends me messages, he says that THEY have taken over my employers; I fool them by disseminating my own opinions! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =