I've broken my 5th line on a north bar at exactly where the sleeving met the line (think the plastic sleeving cover may have worn down the line as it was sharp) planning on resleeving all the lines after looking at all the info online. Got
some 250lb hollow dacron from kitepower. Just a couple of questions.
How do you get a knot in the loop? Is it ok just to tie an overhand knot? The melting point for dacron is 260 degrees (150 and I'm wondering if it would ever reach this temp.
Are the lines all exactly the same length? Should I have the depower strap fully depowered or powered when measuring?
How exactly do you go about stitching?
Has anyone done this before and has any tips?
Thanks in advance,
Max
I no longer sleeve lines. I just splice them. It's easier, stronger and looks better (and it's much more fun to do).
If you want some extra strength in the loops do a double splice. That is where you insert a length of line inside the loop and part way down the tail of the line you are splicing.
You can use an old guitar string as a splicing fid. If you want to spend some money then the D-Splicer is awesome. d-splicer.com/ Get the scissors as well.
To lock the splices simply sew a run of straight stitch in a sewing machine. You can hand sew it if you don't have a sewing machine.
You can put knots in the loops, but it's easier and stronger to get some thicker line and make a little pig tail to loop into the end of the lines. (That is how Cabrinha do it). It is stronger and easier to do and you can them just make all your lines with spliced loops on the end.
Right right. I like the sound of splicing but i cant visualise splicing.
How exacrtly does it work in simple terms?
Cheers
Hey Gorgo, thanks for the link for the D splicer! Nice to have around...
By the way, I have never had any issues with tying a figure 8 knot in the loop.
Heres a few links on splicing that dont use sewing... though it is the norm, it doesnt make sense to stab and split the fibres with a needle thereby weakening what you require to be strong.
A brumel locking splice will break the line before coming undone without sewing 
www.animatedknots.com/brummel-eye-splice-knot-demo
The wipping splice in this next link is great too - if your still not sure and want peace of mind 'without stabbing' any fibres 
www.instructables.com/id/Spectra-Loop-Splice/
The first time I made a 6mm depower line - I thought fark, dodgy, no sewing... and took the advice of an old sailor who said to try towing a car to test it !
Works awesome...
guitar wire as mentioned above for splicing works well
i have never heard of a 5th line breaking (except for where it goes through bar). plastic sleeving must have been wearing it down
5th line are not under anything like as much strain as the other 4 lines/ esp front lines. i would just tie on an old bit of kite line to make 5th line length perfect - overhand knot to make larks head or just an overhand knot to make a knots. I'd keep the extension on the bar and lines so it could be easily used with another kite instead of changing 5th line length on kite.
Try changing too a slingshot 5th line bar, they are rock solid configuration and bullet proof.
After reading the forum rules, please disregard my comment and clown face. Not supposed to mention brand names or products or put up funny face after comments.. Unlesss you sponsored the site according too the rules.. Or comment after drinking so disregard all my comments as after reading the baloney on seabreeze I'm tempted too have a drink. And how come you cant delete your profile?
After reading the forum rules, please disregard my comment and clown face. Not supposed to mention brand names or products or put up funny face after comments.. Unlesss you sponsored the site according too the rules.. Or comment after drinking so disregard all my comments as after reading the baloney on seabreeze I'm tempted too have a drink. And how come you cant delete your profile?
Laurie, can you contact me again please and we can go through the process How too delete my profile please. It shouldn't be in the WA thread should it? Where's the complaint section? No smiles
