How To Make A Diamond Kite

Dowel Diamond: Template, Tips, Step-By-Step eBook

Here's how to make a Diamond kite! The Template and Tips might be sufficient, otherwise try the step-by-step eBook for making the MBK Dowel Diamond Kite. Every kite in the Dowel series is made to be transportable, rolling up into a convenient long, slim package like a Sled.

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 Dowel Diamond should not be much of a challenge! Everything you need, apart from the dowels perhaps, might already be lying around your house somewhere. I'm assuming you know how to make a Diamond kite with low overall weight and appropriate knots.

The MBK Dowel Diamond Kite is a decent size at 1.2 meters (4 feet) across, and is designed to fly without a tail. This Diamond is a good light-to-moderate wind flier, with a firm pull as the wind strength moves towards the top of the Moderate range.

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

How To Make A Diamond Kite - Tips

• 5mm oak dowels worked well for me. You might look at using 3/16" dowels, 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.
• Cap each spar tip with a single piece of tape, wrapped around and stuck on both sides of the plastic sail.
• A simple 2-point bridle can be used for this kite. However, a 3-point bridle will extend the wind range upwards somewhat. Attach the flying line with a shiftable knot to get an adjustable towing point.

The step by step instructions for this Diamond are also included in an eBook covering the entire Dowel series. It's a nice reference if you want to eventually make a whole range of different kites, of similar size. The info is pitched at the beginner, with very detailed instructions on a range of kite-making topics. Including the technique for making the kites transportable. This is explained individually for each kite.

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 Dowel Series.

How To Make A Diamond Kite - Flying!

You know how to fly, so I won't elaborate here. Except to say that we have had some really enjoyable flights with this sizable Eddy-like Diamond! This kite will easily reach 400 feet above ground on a 50 pound flying line. With a 2-point bridle, it gets up a slow wing-waggle typical of big Diamond kites. With accurate construction, it will put up with fairly fresh winds, as you can see in the video. When wing-wagging that hard, you will need to make sure those spar caps are pretty secure!

In the launch picture over there, there's a distant Magpie near the wingtip and a White Cockatoo much nearer, center left. It was the big Diamond's first flight, in an uncomfortably stiff breeze. Uncomfortable for the kite, that is! Mind you, there I am holding on with both hands...

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

By the way, if you would rather make a smaller Diamond that is half as tall as the Dowel design, why not try the 2-Skewer Diamond kite instead. Or, going half as tall again, the tiny 1-Skewer Diamond kite could be just the ticket!

Last updated: 9 Mar 2010