Box Kite Plans

For The MBK Box Kites

These Box kite plans are aimed at the more experienced kite maker. They summarize the far more in-depth instructions to be found in the How To ... pages for the Skewer box kites. It assumes you have the knowledge to do a neat job, use the right knots and keep the weight down!

1-Skewer Box Kite Plans

1. Use a single long strip of clear sticky tape over each of the leading and trailing edges of both cells, to reinforce the edge and at the same time attach the spars to the plastic.
2. Close the box using clear sticky tape along the sail plastic edges. Also fold a short length of tape around the leading edge and trailing edge of both joins, to reinforce.
3. Insert and secure 2 cross-pieces, one near the upper cell and one near the lower cell first, both butted onto the same 2 spars.
4. Cut the other 2 cross-pieces slightly over-size, then trim down to fit, before securing them onto the other 2 spars.
5. Poke 2 holes for the bridle attachment, then add a short strip of clear sticky tape just forward of the holes, as reinforcement.
6. Try a tail about 6 skewer lengths long, looped around and attached at both ends to the lower cell where indicated. Experiment with reducing the amount of tail later.
7. This is most definitely a strong wind design!

2-Skewer Box Kite Plans

1. Like the 1-Skewer kite, use a single long strip of clear sticky tape over each of the leading and trailing edges of both cells, to reinforce the edge and at the same time attach the spars to the plastic. Each main spar is 2 skewers with points removed, butted end to end and reinforced with 2 short lengths of skewer.
2. Close the box using clear sticky tape along the sail plastic edges. Also fold a short length of tape around the leading edge and trailing edge of both joins, to reinforce.
3. Reinforce the sail at each tip of each main spar, with small squares of insulation tape. These caps, folded onto both sides of the sail, will prevent the spars from slipping through the edging tape.
4. Insert and secure 2 cross-pieces, one near the upper cell and one near the lower cell first, both butted onto the same 2 spars. Hold in place with insulation tape folded over the main spar and onto the cross-pieces.
5. Cut the other 2 cross-pieces slightly over-size, then trim down to fit, before securing them onto the other 2 spars in the same way.
6. Poke 2 holes for the upper bridle attachment, then add a short strip of clear sticky tape just forward of the holes, as reinforcement. Secure the lower bridle attachment knot with a small dob of glue.
7. No tail should be necessary, except perhaps for very strong wind.
8. This design is for fresh to strong wind, but requires much less than the 1-Skewer version to fly.

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Last updated: 11 Sep 2009