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Re-Splicing used Kite lines

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1234567Simon
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Re-Splicing used Kite lines

Postby 1234567Simon » Fri Mar 04, 2022 6:27 pm

Dear all,

Is it worth to re-splice used kite lines?

The line still looks OK (I do not loop so much);

But
The splices are Not tapered, so it is starting to look ugly.
Also in the loop, it is starting to look used.

Does it make sense, to cut of the old splice, and make new one?
Or is this Something you just don't do?


I know the lines will get shorter....

Thanks a lot, for your oppinion.
BR Simon


Ripped lines create such a mess, and probably my kiting day is over, that I really want to be on the Safe Side.






Some Pictures:
The lines still Look good.
IMG_20220304_180834.jpg

The Not tapered Part, Looks used
IMG_20220304_180302.jpg

The loop also Looks used.
IMG_20220304_175802.jpg

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edt
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Re: Re-Splicing used Kite lines

Postby edt » Fri Mar 04, 2022 6:29 pm

It depends. I routinely splice and reuse. Those look too worn though I would buy new lines. They look like 10-20 session lines then you swim. Since you need to replace so soon I wouldn't bother fixing them. Unless you don't mind a swim then keep using them.
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nixmatters
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Re: Re-Splicing used Kite lines

Postby nixmatters » Fri Mar 04, 2022 7:23 pm

If you can splice why take risks?! Yes, you can make a spare line set for foiling, but no more than that.
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1234567Simon (Fri Mar 04, 2022 11:11 pm)
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Herman
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Re: Re-Splicing used Kite lines

Postby Herman » Fri Mar 04, 2022 7:32 pm

Feeding a splicing needle or wire through old line is generally more difficult than new line. Before you decide whether or not to remake the ends, try putting whatever you use for the splice through the core of a sample section of the line. If it goes through easily remaking the ends is not a huge risk of wasted time and vice versa.
Last edited by Herman on Fri Mar 04, 2022 10:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Re-Splicing used Kite lines

Postby darippah » Fri Mar 04, 2022 7:45 pm

Lines look great to me honestly. That fraying seems to be affecting 1/100th of the line strength..

However, The Heavily worn area by the Splices should be removed/ respliced. And most importantly , YOU MUST TAPER! I snapped all 4 lines at the NON tapered spot during a loop once. Never again
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nixmatters
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Re: Re-Splicing used Kite lines

Postby nixmatters » Sat Mar 05, 2022 10:47 am

darippah wrote:
Fri Mar 04, 2022 7:45 pm
Lines look great to me honestly. That fraying seems to be affecting 1/100th of the line strength..

However, The Heavily worn area by the Splices should be removed/ respliced. And most importantly , YOU MUST TAPER! I snapped all 4 lines at the NON tapered spot during a loop once. Never again
Spot on for the taper, but you couldn't be more wrong about the '1/100th of the line strength'.
The thinner grey lines have surely lost half of their initial breaking strength.

As a rule of thumb, the thinner the line, the higher the impact of surface wear (circumference) on breaking strength (cross section).
Example: 1mm line has a circumference of 3,14mm and cross section 0,785sqmm (4:1). A 4mm line has 12,6mm circumference and 12,6sqmm cross section (1:1). This is a very simplified approach of course and doesn't take into account the construction of a braided line, but is generally valid.

Another argument for the higher wear of thinner lines is that they have lower surface contact area when rubbing against each other (e.g. crossed lines when looping), therefore higher pressure and abrasion.

To support the loss of breaking strength - on the photo here is the exactly the same 1,75mm line, new (black) and 2 seasons intense use (grey).
35% loss of breaking strength measured with a professional test machine where the line was made. The test was carried out with a specimen from the midst of the lines length, i.e. far away from lines crossing and splices.
I can post better photos when I find the leftovers of this line set.
Attachments
Screenshot_20220305_101335_com.android.gallery3d.jpg
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Herman
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Re: Re-Splicing used Kite lines

Postby Herman » Sat Mar 05, 2022 11:40 am

The OP’s photo seems a little odd to me; I would have expected the coloured lines to be the steering lines and therefore be thinner than the grey lines which I would have expected to be the fronts.

Loss of strength is difficult to judge imho, it might not be unreasonable to write off 10% as soon as you have rigged. If you can estimate fibre loss it might be reasonable to at least apply a factor of 2 or more in estimating strength loss imho. Then there is uv damage to the material to consider. Feeling for any thinning can also be illuminating.

I like to do a bar tune and a rough proof test of each line with a reasonable pull. If you snap a line, you just accept it as a positive!! Obviously only use a sensible working load, too much and you will be damaging your lines as well as testing them.

Climbing has a mantra of retiring gear after 10 years used or not. I have flying lines that are even older and still functioning but I only use them where breakage is not critical and in relatively low loads. Plus they have not seen a lot of UV. My guess is they are probably around 50% of original strength but that is just a finger in the air!
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1234567Simon
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Re: Re-Splicing used Kite lines

Postby 1234567Simon » Sat Mar 05, 2022 12:36 pm

Oh wowww : thanks a Lot

The Red and blue are the Steering lines: they had the same Diameter like the grey Front lines.

It really looks like they are much more compressed.



So: my conclusion with your Help:

- snapped lines would make me really angry.

- the not tapered splices really disturb me.

- the grey Front lines are made out of three parts (15m, 3m, 3m). I will NOT INVEST TIME in splicing 12 new loops.

- the blue and red Steering lines Look much better: they are 21 Meter Long: I will Cut of the splices and re-splice, and use them for my foiling Bar.


Thanks a Lot!

BR
Simon
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Re: Re-Splicing used Kite lines

Postby alpaia » Sun Mar 06, 2022 12:18 am

If I may add, once a part of the line frays and gets thinner it really looses stregth and can snap easily so you are right to take preventive action.
I already shortened / re-spliced ( with taper ) and old set but that was a bit of a waste of time, ended up changing it after anyways.
Found some very reasonnably priced Liros DC 401 line by the meter to make the new set, very strong and stiff, good abrasion resistance.


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