Balsa Box Kites

by Greg Manko
(Oakville, Ontario, Canada)

Balsa and Mylar hexagonal box kite

Balsa and Mylar hexagonal box kite

I have made a couple of box kites with balsa and heat shrink Mylar - the kind model airplanes use. They are super light but I have not found the right place to fly them yet. I've also made a winder out of an old bicycle rim and fork.

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by: Tim Parish

Some nice light-wind concepts there - despite box kites being traditionally associated with strong wind. I imagine yours will go well in fairly light breezes. Perhaps even on polyester sewing thread as flying line material! If you are a bit nervous about the strength, just go up to a heavier grade of thread. You can hurt your hand trying to snap it, it's that strong.

Post a longer story here if the first flights go well. All the box kite buffs will be most interested!

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  1. Flight Report:
    Big Box In Booming Air

    Jan 19, 19 02:53 AM

    Remarkable. Before leaving for the field, the online weather station reported 20kph gusting to 28kph. And then on arriving back, again, the speeds were 20kph gusting to 28kph! However, the direction w…

    Read More

Wind Speeds

Light Air
1-5 km/h
1-3 mph
1-3 knots
Beaufort 1

Light breeze
6–11 km/h
4–7 mph
4–6 knots
Beaufort 2

Gentle ...
12–19 km/h
8–12 mph
7–10 knots
Beaufort 3

Moderate ...
20–28 km/h
13–18 mph
11–16 knots
Beaufort 4

Fresh ...
29–38 km/h
19–24 mph
17–21 knots
Beaufort 5

Strong ...
39–49 km/h
25–31 mph
22–27 knots
Beaufort 6

High Wind
50-61 km/h
32-38 mph
28-33 knots
Beaufort 7

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