How To Make A Sled Kite
Step-by-Step - Page 1 of 3
The MBK 1-Skewer Sled
This set of instructions on how to make a Sled kite assumes you know absolutely nothing about kite making.
MBK 1-Skewer Sled
MBK 1-Skewer SledYou 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!
These instructions on how to make a Sled kite might look a bit long, but each step is quite simple to do. Just steadily work your way through from top to bottom, skimming over any detail that you don't need.
At 29cm (11 1/2") tall, the MBK 1-Skewer Sled Kite is a rather small Sled, with 2 simple ribbon tails for extra stability.
This kite can stay up in fairly light winds but prefers it gusting into the moderate range.
I've had at least a couple of visitors report back favorably on the mass-production of these with a group of kids! Not to mention the flying.
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 Make 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...
- Firstly, 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.
- Using the marking pen, rule lines between the dots, as in the photo.
- 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 it out and lay it flat on the floor - you can now see the complete sail outline, as in the photo.
- Cut along the black lines with scissors, to create the sail.
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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!
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Flight Report:
Tetra Turns TailMar 25, 19 07:59 AM
It was supposed to be a photo shoot for the latest tetra. This was a multi-colored kite, built to illustrate an up-coming e-book... Wind speeds were ideal, gusting over 30 kph down at the nearest beac…
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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