Date: Tue, 12 Sep 1995 22:03:57 -1000 From: "K'tesh" Message-Id: Organization: Oregon State System of Higher Education Subject: Bell tetras I have tried in the past to make a tetrahedron kite (16 cells), but never got the chance to make the sails, anybody got any ideas for sail material, sail construction? What's the best framing/linkage materials? FYI my previous attempts (3) used 16 inch long 3/16 dia dowels my tetra goal The serpenski's triangle pattern (please forgive spellin) Later Kite =) -- IF YOUR KITE CAN'T KILL YOU... IT'S TOO SMALL!!! =) James C. "Kite" Parsons parsonsj@sparky.oit.osshe.edu = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 13 Sep 1995 06:23:35 -1000 From: gilchgw@zoology.washington.edu (George W. Gilchrist) Message-Id: <4370i7$bh0@nntp4.u.washington.edu> Organization: University of Washington Subject: Re: Bell tetras In article , parsonsj@sparky.oit.osshe.edu says... > >I have tried in the past to make a tetrahedron kite (16 cells), but never >got the chance to make the sails, anybody got any ideas for sail material, >sail construction? What's the best framing/linkage materials? > I took a class from Spencer Chung on building tetra's at last year's Ft. Worden Kitemakers Conference. They are pretty easy to build (everyone completed a 4 cell ripstop tetra within 4 hrs at the class) if you know the tricks. Some of these, such as constructing vinyls for framing the kite really require Spencer's diagrams. I may have his address somewhere if you want it. Dowels work fine, fiberglass is kind of heavy, carbon fiber works great for sparring. Certainly the trickiest part is joining the spars, since three-way connectors are not available. Spencer uses vinyl tubing cut in very odd ways, and several different lengths of rods to make an equilateral tetra cell. But it works great. Regarding the sail, 3/4 oz or 1/2 oz ripstop nylon are probably best. Put all the hems that will contact the frame *on the outside* to avoid stressing the fabric at the seam. If you ever have a chance to take one of his classes, do it. They are great. Cheers, George ============================== George W. Gilchrist gilchgw@zoology.washington.edu University of Washington Department of Zoology Box 351800 Seattle, WA 98l95-1800 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 14 Sep 1995 06:18:50 -1000 From: Pierre Audette Message-Id: <439kla$go@crchh327.rich.bnr.ca> Organization: Bell Northern Research Subject: Re: Bell tetras Even though it sounds somewhat complicated to build, are there any basic plans available on-line somewhere for these? Regards, Pierre. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =