This set of instructions on making a Box kite assumes you know absolutely nothing about kite building. 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!
The instructions on how to make a Box kite might look quite long, but each step is simple to do. Just quickly work your way through from top to bottom, skimming over any detail that you don't need.
The Dowel Box (moderate wind version) is a 1.2 meter (4 feet) long design which is very similar to the traditional Box. This design flies best in moderate winds, but will also stay in the air in wind strengths below and slightly above this range.
The Dowel Box is designed to roll up into a slim cylindrical package like a Sled, thanks to the detachable cross-pieces. Setting up on the flying field takes a few minutes at first, but gets quicker with practice.
Also, it's handy to set up in a spot that is sheltered from the wind. Of course, if you have room, you can always leave this Box ready-to-fly.
I have chosen to make '1 Dowel Length' equal to 120cm for every kite in the Dowel series. If you are in North America, 48" of 3/16" dowel is close enough to 120cm of 5mm dowel. This will result in a kite with similar flying characteristics to my original. Make sure to find a hard-wood type for your dowel.
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.
Now's the time to read up on the kite making tools and materials required for making an MBK Dowel kite, if you haven't already.
Like to see a video clip? Just scroll down to near the end...
The Template represents one cell of the kite, laid flat. That's so it can be cut from a single, large plastic bag. Now transfer the measurements to the sail plastic as follows...
Videos on the My Best Kite website are now being embedded from Facebook. 'About time' say all the visitors using phones and tablets - who couldn't see any video before! Here's the latest: Dowel Box in flight.
Posted by My Best Kite on Wednesday, March 30, 2016
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.
It's a printable PDF file. Make a diamond, delta or sled step-by-step. They fly hundreds of feet up for hours on end. Woohoo!
Could you do me just a small favor though? If you're over 16, please sign up for Tethered Flying - my free twice-per-month publication. Here's just a sampling of the total content...
* 3 "tips of the month" (for beginners, parents & experienced)
* A fresh "photo of the month" (+ link to big hi-res version)
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