How To Build A Sled Kite
Step-by-Step - Page 1 of 3
The MBK 2-Skewer Sled
This set of instructions on how to build a Sled 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.
MBK 2-Skewer SledMBK 2-Skewer SledYou can expect this design to fly higher than most cheap store-bought Sleds, particularly in very light winds. And being a simple, rigid-stick design, the smoother the breeze, the better.
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!
At 58cm (23") long when rolled up, the MBK 2-Skewer Sled Kite is small enough for kids and yet provides great flying performance for adults to enjoy as well.
This Sled has a shallow V shape cut-out at the top and has spars which are a little further apart at the top than they are at the bottom.
No tails are 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 Sled 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.
- Open out the bag 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.
I can tell you love kites...
Otherwise you wouldn't be all the way down here near the bottom of the page :-)
So, could you do me just a small favor?
Please sign up for my free monthly publication, "Tethered Flying". No other emails will be sent, and your details are safe with me. You do need to be at least 16 years old. There's...
- A huge "photo of the month" (linked from a much smaller one in the email of course)
- 3 "tips of the month" (1 for beginners, 1 for parents and 1 for more experienced kite-fliers)
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Looking forward to hearing from you...
P.S. My free kite-making e-book "Simplest Dowel Kites" can be downloaded as soon as you sign up.
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P.S. Keep an eye out for books by kite author Glenn Davison, a prominent kite person in the USA.
What's New!
-
Indoor Sled Kite - Side Lawn Shenanigans (Flight Report)
Jun 15, 19 12:45 AM
The MBK Indoor Sled kite floated around indoors, and then... The little sled flew furiously in light swirling air over the side lawn!
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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Hey - grab your free e-book first :-)
I'm referring to Simplest Dowel Kites, my popular kite-making download. It's a printable PDF file. Make a diamond, delta or sled. Each kite is capable of flying hundreds of feet up for hours on end.
Could you do me just a small favor though?
Please sign up for my free monthly publication, "Tethered Flying". No other emails will be sent, and your details are safe with me. You need to be at least 16 years old. There's...
- A huge "photo of the month" (linked from a much smaller one in the email of course)
- 3 "tips of the month" (1 for beginners, 1 for parents and 1 for more experienced kite-fliers)
- A "flight report of the month" (selected from my own flying logs and illustrated with a photo)
Comments
Plenty of fun kite info, photos and videos - there's definitely too much here for only one visit! Feel free to leave your impressions of this site or just this page, below...