Date:	Mon, 9 Aug 1993 05:41:52 -1000
From:	jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka)
Message-Id: <245r80$825@umd5.umd.edu>
Organization: University of Maryland at College Park
Subject: FlowForms (was Re: Single Line Report)

In article <24595c$5re@kelvin-02.cs.strath.ac.uk> pat@cs.strath.ac.uk (Patrick Prosser) writes:

>Actually, the flowform in Rowland's book is a Sutton design. I believe
>that Sutton is also a crass North American :-)

Exactly.  I'd originally written "I'm a crass American" when I remembered
that Steve Sutton is from Canada (Toronto, I believe).  So I ammended myself.

>As far as I am aware, your FF has a number of triangular shaped
>keels. This means that you only have roll adjustment, not pitch.
>I don't like that, because if you get the shape of the keels 
>wrong then the whole thing is wrong. Its basically the same as 
>building a delta; get the keel right or it wont fly.

Yup.  I have the keels right.  Therefore, I don't have a problem.

>I make templates from wall paper, or relatively stiff paper from an
>Art shop. 

Good idea.  I never thought of using wallpaper.

I make templates for the keels and the risers only. 

I had a funny feeling about that.  When I did my 16 pattern, I quickly
concluded that it was stupid to do a pattern for the top and bottom...instead,
I made a pattern for the cut out in the tail.

>I then use tailor's chalk to draw around the template, then I cut
>using scissors. I cut out all the pieces before I start construction.

Ever have any fraying problems on the seams where the risers are attached
to the top and bottom?

>When I cut I sometimes do not incorporate a hem allowance, as sometimes 
>I put a binding on the edge, made from ripstop, so that the dimensions
>remain unchanged.

All of my flowforms have been fully edgebound.  I've been using a cotton
single fold edgebinding tape.  It's not too expensive (maybe $5 worth in a 
T-16)and has proven strong enough when folded over and sewn to be used
in the bridle loops.  For a bigger kite, I'd probably use grosgrain ribbon.

I have enough problems convincing myself to cut out a 2" wide leading edge
strip.  I'd never convince myself to cut enough narrow, long strips for a 
parafoil

(I eventually gave up on cutting leading edges and now buy 2" strips from 
Hang 'em High)

Jeff
(waiting for the day he can build a *much* bigger FlowForm.  perhaps he'll
do it this winter...)


-- 
|Jeffrey C. Burka     | "When I look in the mirror, I see a little clearer/ |
|SAFH Lite [tm]       |  I am what I am and you are you too./  Do you like  |
|jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu |  what you see?  Do you like yourself?"  --N. Cherry |



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