How to Make a Kite

By Andy Duframe

The best methods and materials for making kites haven't really changed much over the last 2500 years. Ancient kite makers knew their craft well, and few people today can rival the magnificent kites that were made back then. Still, most basic kite designs are fairly easy to build if you have a little patience and enthusiasm for the project.

Kite Frames - Lightweight but Strong

Most kite builders today use plastic tubing for the main skeleton of the kite. It's lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to find. Tubing also makes it easy to connect the different parts of a kite frame, using manufactured tube joints to hold everything together. However, as you move on to more advanced designs, you might also consider a wood dowel frame made of pine, spruce, or bamboo. Some of the very large kites might even use aluminum rods for added strength.
The most important aspect of a kite frame is balance, and that means making sure the overall shape is in perfect symmetry. Be careful to measure and cut exact lengths for all frame pieces, and keep consistent joinery methods throughout the project. This will help maintain an equal distribution of weight across the kite.

Kite Cover Material - Durability and Buoyancy

Just as in ancient times, silk remains the premium material for covering a kite frame. Silk is light, pliant, and extremely buoyant, a rare combination of features that is difficult to find in any other material. Yet, silk has enough drawbacks (like tearing, price, and availability) that most modern day kite makers prefer synthetic materials, like polyethylene, mylar, dacron, and Tyvek. The plastic coverings can be secured with cellulose tape or glue, and the synthetic nylon varieties can be sewn with needle and thread.

Kite Knots - Keeping it all Together

Most people don't think much about tying knots, but for kite builders who have spent countless hours in the shop creating a work of art, this is an essential part of protecting their investment. A gusty wind creates an enormous amount of pull on a Dacron line, and a faulty knot will quickly send a kite off into the horizon. Learn just a few of the most popular knots, and you'll never have to chase a kite down again.

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