Power Kite Forum

Built my own door

acartier1981 - 8-7-2011 at 09:41 AM

I finally got done building my first board, 160x48 Door. Hopefully the wind today will work out so I can finally try it, lol. From a distance it looks all right I think but up close the abundant flaws and imperfections are obvious. I tried to put just a little rocker in it, 2 cm, but clamped it down too much to close to the middle so its a little more like a snowboard with a the rocker mostly out at the tips. Hopefully it turns out to be a worthwhile effort overall.








Drewculous - 8-7-2011 at 12:30 PM

Sweet!!

Been thinking about doing this myself... Plans?

AD72 - 8-7-2011 at 12:35 PM

I like the color. You won't loose that one. I don't know why Spleen uses such dark colors.

acartier1981 - 8-7-2011 at 01:13 PM

That was the idea, easy to see in any conditions from far away. It's all just epoxy pigments.

The plans are.... looked a couple different doors and what some other guys had built and drew it out by hand as best I could. I pick the best quarter of the board and traced it then kept shaping and flipping it until all 4 quarters matched. I used Okume marine plywood. I think next one will be cedar strips cause this one turned our pretty heavy.

Here are a couple pics almost before I glassed it. I took some 80 grit sand paper and removed a bunch of material from the top and middle layers near the ends. I perf'ed the board too which I dont think I will do again either, at least not with a wood core.




macboy - 8-7-2011 at 03:17 PM

Did you have to vacuum bag it or do you only do that with glassing?

joedy - 8-7-2011 at 04:18 PM

An old (but not well known trick) is to print an illustration or design on Japanese paper (aka "Rice Paper" or any other thin paper or tissue) using a bubble jet printer.

Put this on the wet epoxy before you lay the fiberglass and the paper will become transparent, but the design will show through the epoxy.

If you're tinting the epoxy with opaque pigments, it's a moot point, but many epoxy pigments will become translucent by adding lesser amounts to the layup.

Here's a page that illustrates what can be done: http://www.grafsnowboards.com/index.php?url=graphics

My other hobby is RC Sailplanes and I've bagged a lot of composite wings over the years.

Another good trick is to use a pre-painted mylar sheet in the vacuum bag layup. The paint will transfer to the part and will become absorbed to the epoxy. The paint won't chip off then.

Thanks for the post. You've inspired me.

-joedy

tridude - 8-7-2011 at 05:07 PM

nice AC, you may want to round off the corners if your edges catch but other than that it looks great......................

sand flea - 8-7-2011 at 05:47 PM

Wow - that's beautiful, great work!

Now you've got more gear to bring to SOBB!

Looking forward to flying with you again

Chris

acartier1981 - 8-7-2011 at 05:50 PM

I only clamped it to the table when I was laminating the three layers of 1/8 plywood together. I vacuum bagged it when I glassed it. I did the top and bottom seperately and wrapped the glass over the rail instead of making an epoxy rail. Though wrapping the glass is a little cheaper i learned why people like the epoxy rails. The tint I used is definitely translucent enough to use rice paper with which I might do next time, though probably only to put "reward if returned to.." information on, lol. I like the more plain look like this as opposed to the crazy detailed graphics some boards come with.

I was questioning myself about those corners the whole time Tri, I hope they don't catch, where is some wind so I can find out, lol.

Kamikuza - 8-7-2011 at 06:05 PM

Nicely done :thumbup:

Drewculous - 9-7-2011 at 08:18 AM

what was the final weight?

acartier1981 - 9-7-2011 at 10:42 AM

I dont know the exact weight, I spent all my spare money on building the board and the vacuum system. Gonna go get a scale soon cause I am curious to its exact weight as well but it feels to be around 6 or 7 lbs.

stetson05 - 9-7-2011 at 11:10 AM

I built one too and tried to ride it yesterday. I went really cheap and used a foam core with cheap plywood on the outside. I used cheap sandles for the bindings and that is what failed me. I road about 5 feet before I hit a barely submerged rock and I came off the board. Yours looks way better and mine is really heavy. Hopefully it works for you. I went back to my crazyfly and was able to ride for short tacks with downloops down to about 4-6mph. No windmeter for that number just when I was done I could barely feel the breeze. If I ever head up to Sprague to ride I will get in touch.

acartier1981 - 9-7-2011 at 11:40 AM

Defintiely Stetson, Just gotta do it soon before that lake gets low and dirty, lol. Do you go to Roosevelt a lot?

I searched around online and found those Liquid Force Comp pads and straps for $90

stetson05 - 9-7-2011 at 11:48 AM

I went to Roosevelt once and it was great. It was the first good session on water that I have had. I went to the Wallula gap and had a good session too. The gap is a little closer for me but still about 40 minutes. I am thinking about riding on Monday or Tuesday which are next good days by the forecast. Good I suppose is relative but a forecast of 10mph for me means I can usually ride something.

PHREERIDER - 9-7-2011 at 11:55 AM

nice job .

acartier1981 - 11-7-2011 at 08:36 AM

I wish I had a 17 or 19 and a usable launch so I could ride in that low wind.

stetson05 - 11-7-2011 at 08:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by acartier1981
I wish I had a 17 or 19 and a usable launch so I could ride in that low wind.


Right now the forecast for the Gap is 5mph but the windspeed is 12mph. The sensor there is pretty nice it records lulls and gusts too which are 11-12. Pretty smooth wind there sometimes. I bet you wouldn't find the bottom end of you 13m Psycho with your door in that wind.

acartier1981 - 11-7-2011 at 01:59 PM

The low end for my with my 13m is probably around 15mph, that's a maybe if everything else was perfect. Doesn't help weighing 210 lbs, lol.

Looking_Up - 11-7-2011 at 02:52 PM

Try being in at almost 300 but 15 and up I was out on an 11m t3 for my first ever lessons and was fine but defnot powered up at the end of the less was around 20 and I was starting to feel the power check out the wake I am throwing in my avatar :thumbup:

acartier1981 - 12-7-2011 at 09:08 AM

What kind of board were you riding? Hopefully I can get the cash together for another lesson before summer is out.

stetson05 - 12-7-2011 at 01:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by acartier1981
The low end for my with my 13m is probably around 15mph, that's a maybe if everything else was perfect. Doesn't help weighing 210 lbs, lol.


I am kinda suprised. My 11m is very well powered in 15mph and I weigh 210. I am sure lessons would help me too but I do ok as long as the conditions are good. I just need to find days with good conditions when I am not working. I tried yesterday and today with my 19m but the wind died to nothing both times. I am too careful to go out in the river alone so I miss a lot of good days. I just keep trying. Let me know if you are headed down this way.

acartier1981 - 12-7-2011 at 02:11 PM

You working tomorrow Stestson? Winds look pretty good down that way tomorrow

stetson05 - 12-7-2011 at 03:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by acartier1981
You working tomorrow Stestson? Winds look pretty good down that way tomorrow


The wind looks good because I am working. :mad: Come down and enjoy it though. Where are you thinking about going? I am not the only rider down here. Maybe someone would like to meet up.

Looking_Up - 12-7-2011 at 05:14 PM

It was a spleen door 154 I think

acartier1981 - 12-7-2011 at 05:55 PM

only place I know that way of Roosevelt but am always up for new places. Who else is out there?

stetson05 - 12-7-2011 at 06:39 PM

LeoJim but he is waiting till lessons. Pascopastor (Steve) kites at Scootney reservoir, west of Connell on the way down. There are some others, one of which might be able to go to Roosevelt tomorrow. I can ask if you want.

As for locations the closest is probably the Wallula Gap but it isn't better than Roosevelt which is only about 40 minutes farther. I might be able to go to Roosevelt on Friday. I like going but not by myself.

acartier1981 - 12-7-2011 at 06:52 PM

Man I wish I could but I dont know if friday will work for me. Stupid bills to pay and lack of job.....

Looking_Up - 12-7-2011 at 07:16 PM

Correction 159

acartier1981 - 12-7-2011 at 07:27 PM

Those are nice boards, any idea what year it was?

stetson05 - 12-7-2011 at 08:01 PM

no body from here going tomorrow to Roosevelt. I will probably go next Wednesday if the wind looks like it will show up.

acartier1981 - 12-7-2011 at 08:55 PM

What about the other spots?

acartier1981 - 1-9-2011 at 07:02 PM

Finally took my board to hood river and took it for a ride. I was pleasantly surprised with how it felt to me. I am far from an expert but it felt pretty smooth when I wasn't popping over the top of the chop. I was just going out from the sand bar and trying to get back to where I start and was doing all right till the wind picked up to be too much for my 8, at least more than I was comfortable flying in. Started out around 25 mph and was pushing 30+ when I called it quits. I wish I could go back there this weekend :D

Looking_Up - 2-9-2011 at 07:11 AM

wow good winds
party on wayn
party on garth
you could have used a much smaller board in those conditions
would have let you get back upwind better and esier to hold down
:cool::thumbup:

lamrith - 2-9-2011 at 08:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by stetson05
No windmeter for that number just when I was done I could barely feel the breeze. If I ever head up to Sprague to ride I will get in touch.


FYI - There are some nice cheap windmeters on ebay for those that do not have one (or even care to have one).

I will be bringing it to SOBB for anyone that cares to take a peak. It just arrived yesterday, so I have not tried it other than blowing thru it to make sure it functioned. $16.40 shipped..
LCD Wind speed and temp gauge