How I built my own kite surfing bar

[kite_hh]

It is finally done. I built my own kite bar.

Here is a picture of it:

I also did a little write up on how I did it.

It can be read here: https://dannlos.de/DIY_kite_bar.php

Thanks for all the help. I can't wait to test it.

[Laughingman]

kite_hh when you are testing be mindful of how many times your safety line gets twisted around the center line. At first is will not be a problem but over time it will develop a memory and it will be difficult to keep it from twisting. I don't know why it does this but it does and its annoying, I suggest you go to a stopper ball with a loop to loop connection.

Do you have more pictures of the bar? looks like you have bar ends on it for wrapping your lines?
Looks like a fun project, I have built many bars using parts on hand from old bars but never made my own stick... do you have any previous experience using carbon fiber or epoxy?

[kite_hh]

Thanks for the heads up! I will keep an eye on that safety line. If this doesn't work I will indeed go back to stopper ball with loop to loop.

I added one picture at the end from an earlier testing at the beach. It doesn't have bar ends. I just use some wood to wind up the lines.

This is my first bar and I will be very careful testing it. I do have some experience with epoxy and carbon, but all on an amateur level.

[thewindego]

Not to be a buzzkill but I think it will break in the middle. You had to remove a lot of material in the middle and filling with epoxy and even if filled with chopped carbon fiber I would be suspicious. Before you go out in the water I would load test it with a least your own weight swinging from it on center line only. I hope it works.

[kite_hh]

Not to be a buzzkill but I think it will break in the middle. You had to remove a lot of material in the middle and filling with epoxy and even if filled with chopped carbon fiber I would be suspicious. Before you go out in the water I would load test it with a least your own weight swinging from it on center line only. I hope it works.

All good.

As already said, I will do some very careful testing. I haven't been out on the water and will only test in a safe (for me and others) environment (I think this is self-evident).

The bar already was already tested with a force of about 250 Newton on each steering line at the same time without any problem. It is doubtful forces are higher than that on the steering lines.

I don't know what your intention is with "own weight swinging from it on center line only". There is no scenario that I can imagine where my bar would be in a similar situation. Or I misunderstand.

[thewindego]

Ok in your test you tied off the chicken loop to a support and pulled on the rears? Then you should be good. I am surprised that held up to that actually. But good work!

Another perspective which relates to your comment is when doing unhooked like a Jesse Richman style maneuver.

[downunder]

Hmm,

your test is fine, but it *will* break. And this is the reason:

- if you did not sand the middle part from inside, the epoxy is just holding for now.

- because the tube is black, it will heat significantly, which might impact the epoxy surface.

Hence, heaps more carbon reinforcement is needed around the hole which is way to big for a tiny rope?

The bar ends are not soft. Are you wearing sunnies when on water? I was hit into my eye with the FS solid bar end, there was blood, was disoriented, and almost blacked out.

D.

[ap888]

^...no risk no fun

[downunder]

^
you did not write this here, did you
http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2401267

[kite_hh]

Ok in your test you tied off the chicken loop to a support and pulled on the rears? Then you should be good. I am surprised that held up to that actually. But good work!

Another perspective which relates to your comment is when doing unhooked like a Jesse Richman style maneuver.

It was held in the middle while the weight pulled on both sides. It wasn't a professional setup, but it repeatedly did not break. This won't be the last test.

I wouldn't unhook. Not with this bar, not with any other bar. It is not built for that.