How To Guide

Kite Building Guide

Materials:  Bamboo Skewers, Plastic Grocery Bag, Fishing Line, Hot Glue Sticks, Hot Glue Gun, Tape,  Xacto knife, Scissors, Ruler, Protractor

Instructions

1.     Split 4 skewers in half down the vertical center using an Exacto knife.

2.     Using tape or glue, put two half skewers together so that they overlap about 2 ½ inches. Do this two times.

3.     Fasten the ends of the previously made skewers so that they form a 80 degree angle. Use tape or glue to attach them.

4.     Add a sliced skewer down the center of the kite

5.     Take one split skewer and cut it into two, horizontally as opposed to the first cut that was vertical. Make sure the cut pieces are equal in length. Attach one end of each half to the skewer down the center at approximately 21 degrees above the table.

6.     Approximately 1 inch from the bottom, attach one end of an entire split skewer to the vertical skewer in the center. Keeping the angle formed by the previously attached skewers, attach the other end to the outer edge of the frame. Repeat this for the other side of the vertical skewer.

7.     Cut plastic bag down one side to expose the entire surface area. Place frame of kite on plastic bag. Trace and cut a triangle around the frame leaving approximately an inch of plastic around the frame in all directions.

8.     Fold excess plastic over the left and right sides of the frame. Tape down. Do not fold excess plastic at bottom of kite. Attach the sail at the bottom of the vertical skewer using a small piece of tape.

9.     Cut a piece of fishing line, at least 9 inches is needed. Poke 2 small holes in the plastic. The first should be 3.50 inches from the top of the kite. The second should be 7.50 inches from the top. Each hole should be reinforced with tape. Thread the fishing line through each hole and tie. This should create a loop on the side of the kite where the skewers are not visible.

10.  Tie a longer piece of fishing line halfway between the holes. This is the line that will control the kite. A longer line allows for a slower reaction time.