How to Build a Sode Kite

Step-by-Step—Page 1 of 3

The MBK 2-Skewer Sode

This set of instructions on how to build a sode kite assumes you know absolutely nothing about kite making. You might already have some of the simple tools and materials required.

Learn how to build a Rokkaku kite like this one.MBK 2-Skewer Sode

Anything you don't have is easily bought. If not exactly what I used, then at least something pretty similar!

The MBK 2-Skewer Sode kite is a medium-sized sode 58 cm (23 in.) across and a little more than that in height.

The dihedral on both the horizontal spars provides some stability. However, this design also requires a short looped tail. Two slightly longer separate tails would also work nicely.

The three-leg bridle allows the lower horizontal spar to bend a little more when the wind picks up, giving a bit more stability when needed. The kite straightens out and stops bobbing from side to side.

The 2-Skewer Sode does well in quite light winds and is not bothered by a bit of rough air.


 

The BIG MBK E-book Bundle!


On this site, there's more kite-making info than you can poke a stick at :-)

Want to know the most convenient way of using it all?

The Big MBK E-book Bundle is a collection of downloads — printable PDF files which provide step-by-step instructions for many kites large and small.

Every kite in every MBK series.

 

How to Build a Sode 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.

Sail template for the MBK 2-Skewer Rokkaku kite.

The template shown above represents one side of the kite sail. You will now transfer these measurements to the sail plastic.

 Like to see a video clip? Just scroll down to near the end of this page.

The 2-Skewer Rokkaku - dots marked on un-cut bag.
The 2-Skewer Rokkaku - lines drawn on un-cut bag.
  • 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.


The 2-Skewer Rokkaku - bag flipped over and traced.
The 2-Skewer Rokkaku - bag cut on 3 sides.
  • 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.


The 2-Skewer Rokkaku - bag opened out and taped.
The 2-Skewer Rokkaku - sail cut out.
The 2-Skewer Rokkaku - close-up of edge tape
  • Open the bag out and lay it flat on the floor; you can now see the complete sail outline, as in the first photo.
  • Run clear sticky tape along every straight line, leaving most of the tape on the inside of the sail edges. Don't tape the long edges of the tabs. This will help to save weight.
  • Cut along the black lines with scissors, to create the sail. See the closeup photo.

 

 


As mentioned earlier, there's more kite making on this site than you can poke a stick at :-)

Want to know the most convenient way of using it all?

The Big MBK E-book Bundle is a collection of downloads — printable PDF files which provide step-by-step instructions for many kites large and small.

Every kite in every MBK series.




Continue to page 2