Diamond Kite Plans

For All The MBK Diamonds

These Diamond kite plans and hints are aimed at summarizing the more in-depth instructions to be found in the How To Make A Kite section of this website.

For each of the Diamond plans below, there are also a pair of plan view photos.

The one on the left is of the front surface. That is, the side of the kite which faces the flier. The other photo is of the back surface, which exposes the spars.

For all 3 designs, attach flying line to the bridle with a shiftable knot, for later trimming. Also, all 3 designs work well with light single-ply plastic for sail material. Many large plastic bags are suitable.

There's a nice view of the Dowel Diamond in flight, over on the left...

Dowel Diamond Kite Plans

Plan View Photos

Tips And Hints

1. For a dowel length of 120cm (48 inches), 5mm (3/16") dowel works well.
2. Reinforce the sail edges by adding nearly the full width of clear sticking tape inside the outline, then trimming back to the outline.
3. Secure the sail to each spar end using 2 short lengths of electrical insulation tape. One length goes over and around the tip, the other at 90 degrees to the first tape, with corners folded back under the sail.
4. Lash the horizontal spar to the vertical spar with tape or string, or any other method you prefer.
5. Try a 0.75DL (90cm, 36") length of line for the upper bridle loop. Use about 1.5DL (180cm, 72") for the lower bridle line.
   
6. At the bridle attachment points, a Double Wrap Slip knot works well, secured with a spot of glue.
7. No tail is required for this kite.
   
   

2-Skewer Diamond Kite Plans

Plan View Photos

Tips And Hints

1. 30 cm (12 inch) bamboo BBQ skewers work well as spar material.
2. Reinforce the join in the middle of each spar with 2 lengths of skewer, each 0.15SL (4.4cm, 1 3/4") long, one on each side as in the plan. The reinforcers stay flat on the table, and glue is applied along their lengths, from above, to join the 4 pieces of bamboo together.
3. Reinforce the sail edges by adding clear sticking tape over the outlines. Trim back to the outline, leaving at least 3/4 of the width of the tape on the sail.
4. Secure the sail to each spar end using a short length of electrical insulation tape. Fold it over the tip.
5. Secure the horizontal spar to the vertical spar with glue, or any other method you prefer.
6. Try a length of bridle line about 4.0SL (116cm, 46") long.
7. At the bridle attachment points, a Double-Wrap Slip Knot works well. Add a spot of glue if you want to.
8. For a start, try making a simple ribbon tail about 8.0SL (230cm, 90") long and the width of 3 adult fingers.
9. The tail can be attached to the vertical spar with a single Half Hitch. Trim off excess tail plastic above the knot.

Here's the 2-Skewer Diamond in flight...

1-Skewer Diamond Kite Plans

Plan View Photos

Tips And Hints

1. 30 cm (12") bamboo BBQ skewers work well as spars. I work with 1SL = 29cm (11 1/2").
2. Secure the sail to the spar ends using short lengths of clear sticky tape.
3. After cracking the bamboo to get the dihedral angle, use a generous drop of wood glue to join the spars where they cross and hold the dihedral angle firmly.
4. Try a length of bridle line about the length of one skewer. Let half hang out the front of the sail, and the other half out the back. Secure with a small drop of glue. The kite can now be easily included in a kite train.
5. For a start, try making a tail about 8 times as long as the length of the kite itself, and 2 adult finger-widths wide.

I hope one of these Diamond kite plans is just right for you!

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