Does anyone have any old waterman tips or techniques on how to ensure a correct inflation pressure on kite? (Without a pressure guage)
I'm always concerned that I'm over-inflating...
Even now that my new kite has a pressure gauge (I have a bit of a distrust for them as the ones on offer when I started kiting were pretty average) I still use the Flick test as a double check.
When you flick the inflated kite is should give an echoing sound (sort of like a bouncing basketball) as soon as you hit the point where this happens that's generally a good rule of thumb. Don't overdo it though, not much worse than popping a kite from overinflating it.
D
Not all kites can handle 6pis or more.
The newer kites can, but those older than 2011 or so struggle with anything above 5psi, and I've seen some push apart the valves, due to their age.
Of course if that happens, you need new valves or bladders.
But my instructor years back said, "Just bend the wing tip and if it feels too easy, then you need more air". The ping test is ok too, as long as you know what to expect. A nice echo like drum sound is ok. If you don't hear it echo a bit, then it's not hard enough.
Ok, cheers guys. The flick test seems to be popular...
I'd be pretty pissed if I popped if with over inflation 
whole idea of pumping the kite is to create a rigid structure.
so when your back starts hurting and arms start getting sore and your now wondering if the girls in bikinis 50m away from you can hear your heavey breathing have a slight break by grabing the kite and trying to fold it on its leading edge in the middle of a section (NOT THE STITCHING) if it bends easily its not a rigid structure. if its rather dificult to bend theyre then you are done.
id prefer to have my kite fly a teeny bit less efficient for 4 years rather then have it fly really efficient for 1 year.
this is exactly why you kooks with your air gauges are ****ing up your kites. but whatever the more kites you buy the cheaper they become for me so keep doing your wikid sick 8psi on your auto pumps old farts
It is virtually impossible to over inflate a kite. You would have to be extremely strong, or virtually sitting on the pump handle to force it down. Pump it up as hard as you can get it without overly straining yourself. It's worse to have a soft kite than a hard one. If it's too soft the leading edge can collapse during a power move. If it does it too much you can get stress tearing across the leading edge fabric. It's almost impossible to repair.
Yeah I also go with finding the centre and gently flicking it till there is a responsive noise.
Then once it is obviously rigid, you are there. 
Kozzie says sometimes his arms get sore, I think he may be doing it wrong. He needs to find a partner and flick the centre till he gets that right kinda noise coming back at him.
Finally, as Gorgo says pump it is hard as you can without straining yourself.
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said...
Yeah I also go with finding the centre and gently flicking it till there is a responsive noise.
Then once it is obviously rigid, you are there.
Kozzie says sometimes his arms get sore, I think he may be doing it wrong. He needs to find a partner and flick the centre till he gets that right kinda noise coming back at him.
Finally, as Gorgo says pump it is hard as you can without straining yourself.
What ever you do don't pick your nose so hard ya finger pops put ya eyeball.
Bend the wingtips. That's the best method.
Id think if you pump you kite too much and it explodes, you already had an existing issue.
I guess it would also depend on the conditions and what your doing. If I'm teaching or tomahawking I'll have the pressure soft. If I'm goi g to be boosting in horrible conditions it have it rock solid
Select to expand quotekemp90 said..
I guess it would also depend on the conditions and what your doing. If I'm teaching or tomahawking I'll have the pressure soft. If I'm goi g to be boosting in horrible conditions it have it rock solid
GOLD 
Select to expand quotekemp90 said...
I guess it would also depend on the conditions and what your doing. If I'm teaching or tomahawking I'll have the pressure soft. If I'm goi g to be boosting in horrible conditions it have it rock solid
God I need to start proof reading my post!
