How To Build A Diamond Kite
Step-by-Step - Page 1 of 3
The MBK 2-Skewer Diamond
MBK 2-Skewer DiamondMBK 2-Skewer DiamondThis set of instructions on how to build a Diamond kite assumes you know absolutely nothing about kite making. And if you are a 'visual-learner', it should be possible to complete the kite by referring only to the pictures.
You might already have some of the simple tools and materials required. Anything you don't have is easily bought. If not exactly what I used, then at least something pretty similar!
Probably the most important thing to get right is making and adjusting the bridle. This trips up so many would-be kite makers who are trying it for the first time! I've tried hard to make the instructions fool-proof in this area.
At 58cm (23") across, the MBK 2-Skewer Diamond Kite is small enough for kids and yet provides great light-wind flying performance for adults to enjoy as well.
The 2-Skewer Diamond has dihedral (the horizontal spar has a shallow V shape) and flies on a 2-leg bridle. Only a short tail is required, although long and colorful ones can be used for more spectacle in the air!
Making Skewer Kites is my handy download of printable step-by-step instructions. This design and all the other 1-Skewer and 2-Skewer designs are covered.
Like to see a video clip? Just scroll down to near the end...
How To Build A Diamond Kite
Sail
Now's the time to read up on the 'tools' and materials required for making a Skewer kite, if you haven't already.
The template shown above represents one side of the kite sail. You will now transfer these measurements to the sail plastic as follows...
- Take a light plastic bag that will fit the entire Template shape within one side, and lay it flat on the floor.
- Mark dots on the plastic, corresponding to the corners of the Template. There is no need to use a T-square, since any small error will be duplicated on the other side of the sail. And it will make hardly any difference to how the kite flies.
- Using the marking pen, rule lines between the dots to create the Template shape.
- Flip the plastic bag over, and trace over all the black lines using your marker pen and ruler.
- Cut out a rectangular section of the bag containing the kite sail outline.
- Open the plastic out and lay it flat on the floor - you can now see the complete sail outline, as in the photo.
- Run clear sticky tape along every straight line, leaving most of the tape on the inside of the sail edges.
- Cut along the black lines with scissors, to create the sail. See the close-up photo.
The video down there shows this latest version of the 2-Skewer Diamond on its very first flight, flying about on a fairly long line. Winds were gusting into the moderate range, causing the Diamond to loop occasionally.
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P.S. Keep an eye out for books by kite author Glenn Davison, a prominent kite person in the USA.
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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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