Date: Sun, 29 Jan 1995 17:44:38 -1000 From: amirault@max.tiac.net (Richard Amirault) Message-Id: <3ghnb6$4bs@sundog.tiac.net> Organization: The Internet Access Company Subject: Re: curved spars I believe the first line of my post was lost....it is, I'm suprised that no one has mentioned wood spars! If I remember Richard = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 29 Jan 1995 12:36:47 -1000 From: lord@eskimo.com (David Lord) Message-Id: Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever Subject: curved spars Nate Curved spars can be made. I had Clearwater Products make some curved battens for me. They were airfoil shaped to camber a stunt kite sail. The spar is wrapped onto the mandrel and the mandrel is held in a curved shape during the bakeing process. After curing the mandrel is removed and the spar holds its shape. The limiting factor is the difficulty in the temporary bending of the mandrel. The larger the spar diameter the harder it is to bend and hold in position the mandrel during the curing process. The kite used in the "Kiteski" package claims to have a curved leading edge spar that is permanently bent, but I have not seen it personally. Either fiberglass or graphite will work depending on what you want. Dave Lord = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 29 Jan 1995 17:42:12 -1000 From: amirault@max.tiac.net (Richard Amirault) Message-Id: <3ghn6k$4ak@sundog.tiac.net> Organization: The Internet Access Company Subject: Re: curved spars I believe that wood spars can be bent. I remember reading about it once, but I've never done it. If I remember correctly, you have to make a jig to force the spar(s) to the correct bend. Then steam the wood, and allow it to dry in the jig. Richard amirault@tiac.net PS. Welcome to Karla from Colorado (Karlaroo!) I remember her from the GEnie kite section (which was not very active....sigh) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 30 Jan 1995 06:42:36 -1000 From: Art Newsome Message-Id: <3gj4ts$aor@potogold.rmii.com> Organization: Rocky Mountain Internet Inc. Subject: Re: curved spars amirault@max.tiac.net (Richard Amirault) wrote: > > PS. Welcome to Karla from Colorado (Karlaroo!) I remember her from the > GEnie kite section (which was not very active....sigh) > > richard!! I did post a message this past week over on Genie naturally i'm hoping for things to pick up there too! :> on topic: I'm wondering if some basket makers or woodworking types might have some help for us in creating curved spars?? I'll see if I can talk to a local basketry teacher I know and see if she has any input too! Hugs! karla & art newsome! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 30 Jan 1995 17:46:22 -1000 From: 71722.3303@compuserve.com (Nathan Kew) Message-Id: <950131034621_71722.3303_DHR125-1@CompuServe.COM> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: Curved Spars Richard Amirault wrote: >I believe that wood spars can be bent. I remember reading about it >once, but I've never done it. If I remember correctly, you have to make >a jig to force the spar(s) to the correct bend. Then steam the wood, >and allow it to dry in the jig. Richard: You are on the right track. Although, it is easier to steam the spar before placing it in the jig. I work at a Ship/Boat yard that maintains a vessel repair side. Some of the repairs we do, require bending of wooden planks up with sections up to 10" x 10". These large planks bend very easily after 1/2 hour in a steam box. I suggest; First, make a jig or mold to secure the spar in it's desired shape. Second, steam the spar. (If the spar is for a small kite, then open steaming over a kettle or boiling pot will do.) Third, quickly place the steamed spar into the jig. Wood that has been steam-bent will retain its sectional properties and will not return to it's original shape without further processing. Sincerely, Nate Kew: 71722.3303@compuserve.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 31 Jan 1995 11:58:57 -1000 From: allanc@syacus.acus.oz.au (Allan Charlton) Message-Id: Organization: Australian Centre for Unisys Software, ACUS Subject: Curved Spars It's easy to make curved wooden spars. The question is whether they have the strength/weight/flexibility properties you want. If they do, then try this: Mark out the shape of the curve on a piece of scrap timber (not on your dining table) Drive a nail into each end, leaving it proud by enough to hold the spar. Drive a nail into the centre, leaving it a bit proud. Test this jig by gently forcing your wodden spar into position. Steam the spar. The traditional way is with a piece of steel tube such as a section of flue pipe, mounted at an angle of about thirty degrees, with its lower end in the steam from a container of water that you keep boiling. (That's not very clear. You have a fire/hotplate/etc, boiling water in a pot. Mount the flue over it so that the steam goes into it.) Put the spar/s into the flue, and keep the steam flowing. Sophisticated systems have a sort of cap or lid on the pot, with an outlet into the flue, then rags stuffed into the flue ends. Don't stuff the rags tight, or you will build up steam pressure. Steam for an hour or so - experiment, because the time depends on the size of the spar. For a 6mm spar (1/4") 15 minutes should be ample. Take out the spar, slip it on the jig, and let it dry. It will hold that shape for the rest of its life or until it gets re-steamed. If you think that's worth a try, but you are concerned about spar breakage, then Choose spars carefully, with particular attention to straight grain. After shaping, sand lightly. Wipe with a cloth dampened with a little vegetable oil. Give two coats of paint or varnish. The spar will last for ages, and perform remarkably well. Good Luck. Allan allanc@syacus.acus.oz.au You learn a lot about the wind when you're holding it by the hand = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 31 Jan 1995 03:01:55 -1000 From: crowell@teleport.com (Carl Crowell) Message-Id: Organization: Kites By Carl Crowell Subject: Re: curved spars Art Newsome writes: >on topic: I'm wondering if some basket makers or woodworking >types might have some help for us in creating curved spars?? There is a guy in Seattle (name withheld 'cus I don't want everyone bugg'n 'em) that makes nice curved three layer laminated fighter spines. Glues three layers uv wood with thu grain go'n dif'rnt ways so that they are real strong and stiff. Gets the curve just right by using a vucuume mold. carl ___________________________________________________ email: crowell@kite.com FTP: ftp.teleport.com/pub/users/crowell WWW: http://www.teleport.com/~crowell Kites By Carl Crowell - O.S.F.M. World Headquarters = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 2 Feb 1995 10:21:19 -1000 From: sasaki@netope.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Message-Id: <3grerv$llk@netope.harvard.edu> Organization: Harvard OIT Network Services Subject: Re: Curved Spars Many folks have recommended steam bending. While relatively easy to do, steam bending requires skill and practice. There is an art to knowing how much you have to "over bend" a piece of wood, it will spring back when you remove it from the jig. Different wood requires different amounts of steam and you have to take into account things like grain direction and such. I don't mean to be negative, just to warn someone who is trying this for the first time to plan on spending a lot of time learning how to do it. Once you have some experience, steam bending becomes pretty easy. -- Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrications sasaki@harvard.edu Network Services Division 90 Melrose Street 617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Arlington, MA 02174 Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-646-1925 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 3 Mar 1995 01:37:25 -1000 From: stav@mhs-gw.gsrt.epmhs.gr (Stavroula Xatzistavrou) Message-Id: <9503031137.AB00200@mhs-gw.gsrt.epmhs.gr> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: Re: curved spars THIS IS GREECE! WILL YOU PLEASE SEND SOME MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO SEND US WHAT ABOUT COMPUTERS? WHAT ABOUT MUSIC? WHAT ABOUT FILM NOIR -BLACK AND WHITE? = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 04:27:04 -1000 From: chronstr@coral.bucknell.edu (Nathan) Message-Id: Organization: Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, USA Subject: Re: curved spars In article <9503031137.AB00200@mhs-gw.gsrt.epmhs.gr>, stav@mhs-gw.gsrt.epmhs.gr (Stavroula Xatzistavrou) wrote: > > THIS IS GREECE! > WILL YOU PLEASE SEND SOME MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO SEND US > WHAT ABOUT COMPUTERS? WHAT ABOUT MUSIC? WHAT ABOUT FILM NOIR -BLACK AND WHITE? WHAT?! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =