Kite repair business

[fastrider]

Ok so I want to start a kite repair business. I have repaired my kites with great success.
I use Dacron in and out for leading edge with a tripple zig zag stitch
And clear sail tape for the sail and stitch it as well using all uv mold resistance tread.
The tape I use is kiteaid because it works very well and holds up to uv

My main question.
Is it worth getting into the repair business or does everyone repair there own now?
And if there any suggestions that would be epic thanks

[southflorida]

In my experience, most people do NOT fix their own kites. I'm always surprised that a lot of guys won't even pull a strut bladder to find a leak, let alone attempt a sew job.

Seems to me you need a heavy duty sewing machine to seal up leading edges. I've tried with a light weight machine, and no way. Need to be able to sew v92 thread for a proper leading edge sew job. Unfortunately, it means having two machines cause most affordable heavy duty machines won't do a 3-step zig-zag for the canopy work. In fact, I could not find one machine to do both correctly, so I ended up with two machines.

A lot of kiters live in apartments (no room to spread out a kite) and no inclination to learn how to sew, and buy supplies, etc. I'm sure you know, it takes some practice to get it right.

The guys I know who are successful are associated with shops who push business their way for fixing the school/instructor kites for free or reduced rates.

Good luck!

[fastrider]

Awesome yea I have a 1953 singer heavy duty industrial machine it goes through leading edge like silk. Does a great triple step zig zag and all metal internals.
Works with v92 thread.
I stock all differant sail tape but it seems clear is the best.
And I stock bladder repair kits as well
It helps that my wife is a 4 year design fashion major

Maybe I can get hooked up with a kite company and do a couple free repairs to get my name out there.
With them.

[edt]

are you doing this for fun or profit? if you want to make money you can charge $100,000 for a full set of custom cruising sails for a sailboat. all spectra & laminate main, jib, reacher, storm jib and such, that's the way to get paid for sewing

[NYKiter]

The secret is to collect every bladder template known to human kind and then seam your own bladders. But it could take a long time to collect and record all of them.

[fastrider]

I decided to start fixing kites because I know how picky I am when I use to get mine repaired and it always seemed like others didn't care about the way they look when it's done. So I figured I can be a huge help in the kite community Do to my OCD hahah.
I'm doing this because I enjoy it kind of takes me away from my normal day to day job.

[edt]

I decided to start fixing kites because I know how picky I am when I use to get mine repaired and it always seemed like others didn't care about the way they look when it's done. So I figured I can be a huge help in the kite community Do to my OCD hahah.
I'm doing this because I enjoy it kind of takes me away from my normal day to day job.

Good luck I hope you make it!

[fastrider]

Thank you.
I'm here if anyone needs work done.
Dlciafardini@gmail.com
Or on facebook I just set it up bare with me.
extreme kiteboard kiterepair.

No big deal I was just getting some ideas from you guys.
Thanks for all the info that's why I love kiteforum