How To Make A Delta Kite

1-Skewer Delta: Template, Tips, Step-By-Step eBook

Here's how to make a Delta kite! The Template and Tips might be sufficient, otherwise try the step-by-step eBook containing the MBK 1-Skewer Delta Kite instructions. In fact, the eBook covers the entire 1-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 1-Skewer Delta 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 make a Delta kite with low overall weight and appropriate knots.

The MBK 1-Skewer Delta Kite is quite small at 29 cm (1 foot) tall, and flies best with a short tail.

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

How To Make A Delta Kite - Tips

• 30cm bamboo BBQ skewers worked well for me. You might be working with 12" skewers, which is pretty much the same.
• 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!
• Use another skewer as a spreader, crossing the vertical spar at its half-way point, and glued to the leading edges.
• Sticky tape the tabs over the leading edges of the kite.
• A simple triangular keel may be attached to the vertical spar, otherwise attach a flying line directly to the vertical spar, just in front of where the skewers cross.
• Tie a simple tail to the vertical spar. A length of about 4 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!

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 1-Skewer Series.

How To Make A Delta Kite - Flying!

You know how to fly, so I won't elaborate here. Except to say that we have had many enjoyable flights with this small but willing little Delta kite! As long as you don't let out a huge amount of line, it will happily sail around at a 50 - 60 degree line angle in light winds. As with most Deltas, the less wind the better, as long as it stays up. A bit of thermal activity in the air will add to the fun with this kite, despite its small size.

The video and photo both show the latest version of this Delta in flight.

We have made a few of these, and have noticed that the clear plastic of the older ones really lights up around sunset! At other times, the clear plastic became hard to see against light gray cloud...

The light orange garden bag plastic shows up quite well in a variety of weather conditions. Brighter colors generally mean thicker, and therefor heavier, plastic.

Over on the left there is a picture of the latest 1-Skewer Delta in flight, in a moderate breeze.

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

By the way, if you would rather make a bigger Delta that is twice as tall as the 1-Skewer design, why not try the 2-Skewer Delta kite instead. Or, going twice as tall again, the nice big Dowel Delta kite could be just the ticket!

Last updated: 19 Jan 2010