How To Build A Sode Kite

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

Here's how to build a Sode kite! The Template and Tips might be sufficient, otherwise try the step-by-step eBook containing the MBK 2-Skewer Sode 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 Sode 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 Sode kite with low overall weight and appropriate knots.

The MBK 2-Skewer Sode Kite is a medium-sized sode 58 cm (2 feet) across and 87 cm (3 feet) tall, with a single tail. Some dihedral gives extra stability and shortens the amount of tail required.

The 2-Skewer Sode is a very nice light-to-moderate wind flier. Watch it go straight overhead when a thermal comes through! However, it's too lightly built to cope well with strong wind.

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

How To Build A Sode 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 is sufficient for this kite, although a 3-point or even 4-point arrangement would probably extend it's wind range upwards a little. Attach the flying line with a shiftable knot to get an adjustable towing point.
• Tie a simple tail to the vertical spar. A length of about 6 times the height of the kite is a good starting point. Being an old hand, I'm sure you will experiment with more or less tail, depending on how the kite flies!
• You can also experiment with building a little dihedral into the horizontal spar. This will reduce the amount of tail required.

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 Sode Kite - Flying!

You know how to fly, so I won't elaborate here. Except to say that we have had a number of high flights with the 2-Skewer Sode. This kite will happily sail around at a 50 to 60 degree line angle in light winds. The video over there shows the Sode flying on a very short line, in gusty air. It's more sedate up high.

If any thermal lift is about, watch this Sode go almost straight overhead! On a 20 pound line, this kite is capable of flying for ages between 300 and 400 feet. However, if the winds freshen up too much, this kite will soon start to struggle. Pull out a small Barn Door in that case!

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 Sode Kite, going up for the first time in a light breeze at a local Reserve. That cambered sail really produces a lot of lift!

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

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

Last updated: 4 Jan 2010