How To Build A Rokkaku Kite

2-Skewer Rokkaku: Template, Tips, Step-By-Step eBook

Here's how to build a Rokkaku kite! The Template and Tips might be sufficient, otherwise try the step-by-step eBook containing the MBK 2-Skewer Rokkaku Kite instructions. In fact, the eBook covers the entire 2-Skewer Series of MBK kites.

The Template and Tips below should be enough if you are keen kite person. If you have put together a number of kites before, with a few different kinds of bridles, the 2-Skewer Rokkaku will be quite easy. Everything you need, apart from the skewers perhaps, might already be lying around your house somewhere. I'm assuming you know how to build a Rokkaku kite with low overall weight and appropriate knots.

The MBK 2-Skewer Rokkaku Kite is a medium-sized rokkaku 58 cm (2 feet) across and 73 cm tall, with no tail necessary. Some dihedral on the upper and lower horizontal spars gives ample stability for flight without a tail.

This 2-Skewer Rokkaku is a very efficient light wind flier. Take it out when it seems there's barely enough wind to fly any kite!

The template shown above represents one side of the kite sail of course.

How To Build A Rokkaku Kite - Tips

• 30cm bamboo BBQ skewers worked well for me. You might be working with 12" skewers, which is pretty much the same. Butt 2 skewers together for each spar, gluing on short lengths of bamboo to reinforce the joins.
• Try positioning the template so the edge of a bag becomes the center-line of the kite.
• For more durability, edge the sail with sticky tape. Over-doing it will increase weight and decrease stability though!
• Cap each spar tip with a single piece of insulation tape, wrapped around and stuck on both sides of the plastic sail.
• A simple 2-point bridle might be enough for the lightest winds, but play it safe with at least a 3-pointer for this kite! Attach the flying line with a shiftable knot to get an adjustable towing point.
• You can also experiment with building a little more dihedral into the lower horizontal spar. This will make the Rok even more stable.

Just getting back to that eBook again, it's a nice reference if you want to try a whole range of different kites from time to time. The info is pitched at the beginner, with very detailed instructions on a range of kite-making topics.

However, the book is well-organized so the more experienced kite-maker can quickly scroll through and pick out bits of detail that are helpful or interesting. The long Table Of Contents helps too!

Click here for more info on the eBook 8 MBK Kites To Make - The Complete 2-Skewer Series.

How To Build A Rokkaku Kite - Flying!

You know how to fly, so I won't elaborate here. Except to say that we have had many delightful thermal flights with the 2-Skewer Rokkaku! This kite is very responsive to rising air and so will often lose and gain large amounts of height. In smooth light wind it will hold high line angles, comparable to a Delta of similar size. Shifting the towing point forward a bit will help in fresh winds, but you'll be better off with a Barn Door design in those conditions!

Our original was made from bright orange 2-ply plastic, which worked well despite not being the very lightest sail plastic around. Bamboo has such a great strength to weight ratio.

Here's a picture of the MBK 2-Skewer Rokkaku Kite in flight, at a local flying field.

Have fun flying, and I hope you've enjoyed seeing how to build a Rokkaku kite the MBK way!

By the way, if you would rather make an even smaller Rokkaku that is half as tall as the 2-Skewer design, why not try the 1-Skewer Rokkaku kite instead. Or, going twice as tall, the nice big Dowel Rokkaku kite could be just the ticket!

Last updated: 4 Jan 2010