How To Make A Sode Kite

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

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

The MBK Dowel Sode is a large tail-less design based on the traditional Japanese kite. Like the other Japanese design in this series, the Rokkaku, this kite is a light to moderate wind flier.

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

How To Make A Sode 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 2 pieces of insulation tape, wrapped around in different directions and stuck on both sides of the plastic sail.
• A 4-point bridle was used for this kite. That's really the minimum since otherwise the horizontal spars tend to go in all directions during handling and even in flight! Attach the flying line with a shiftable knot to get an adjustable towing point.
• Put a little bow in the upper horizontal spar, and somewhat more bow in the lower horizontal spar. Leave the bottom horizontal spar straight

The step by step instructions for this Sode 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 Sode 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 Sode! This kite will easily reach 400 feet above ground on a 50 pound flying line. The video up there shows it scooting around the sky in a very gusty moderate breeze. Right at the top of its wind range really.

With it's 4-point bridle, this Sode stays quite steady in the air over most of its wind range. As the wind speed picks up, the kite remains an efficient flier and starts to pull very firmly on the line.

I'd have to say this is one of our best kite photos! The cloudy background has a wide range of gray-scale shades, while the kite itself is well-lit from behind by the sun coming through a thin veil of cloud. Wind speed was pretty ideal for the lightly-built Sode, so it just sat there while its photo was taken!

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

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

Last updated: 9 Mar 2010