Power Kite Forum

Spars for a 15m Phantom I

Cheddarhead - 31-7-2015 at 01:43 PM

Looking for some replacement spars for my Phantom I. Would prefer carbon. Any other dealers that have these? Sent a U2U to Angus but not sure how much he visits this site anymore.

ssayre - 31-7-2015 at 01:47 PM

http://bigmikeskites.com/Parts/Parts.html Expensive and 3-6 week lead time.

Maybe markite or feyd would have some or some ideas

robinsonpr - 31-7-2015 at 02:48 PM

The carbon spars in my Venom broke and I tried a pair of one piece bamboo canes. Work like a treat! Is a pain that they don't collapse but got me back flying. Might be imagining it but I think the kite flies nicer too, the bamboo has a bit more flex than the spars.

Cheddarhead - 31-7-2015 at 03:45 PM

http://www.intothewind.com/

This seems like a reasonable place and price to make a set but I don't know what size carbon rod I need at the moment. Need to do some measuring first and see what matches my needs.

Cheddarhead - 31-7-2015 at 03:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by robinsonpr  
The carbon spars in my Venom broke and I tried a pair of one piece bamboo canes. Work like a treat! Is a pain that they don't collapse but got me back flying. Might be imagining it but I think the kite flies nicer too, the bamboo has a bit more flex than the spars.


That's a good idea! I really don't care if they collapse or not, just want something light and strong that will get my kite back in the air:D

Feyd - 31-7-2015 at 07:06 PM

cheap and dirty, home depot plow markers. I know the sell plow markers in Wisco. get a set for about 5$ (orange or red)

Otherwise replacement tent poles in the 8-10mm range.

Cheaper than PL spars by a long shot.

acampbell - 1-8-2015 at 05:42 AM

Sorry to be late to the thread. Rob, saw your U2U but needed to get back to my desk to get the web site and parts info. I'll post here for all to see...

Vliegerop no longer sells replacement spars for Peter Lynn kites except for the very latest models, so no other kite shop can help unless they do something like this...

Go to Quest outfitters.... http://questoutfitters.com/tent_poles.htm#TENT%20POLES

This is the place where I bought the components to make the hundreds of spar sets that I have shipped all around the world. These components are made by Easton, who make OEM components for many tent companies as well as the US military.

Peter Lynn spar segments were exactly 15" (weird because they were otherwise metric). Add the 2" for the connecting inserts and you have 17" which will fit in to any ARC kite bag when collapsed. The stock segments that Quest sells are 18" (plus inserts), so to duplicate the originals, you will have to cut down the spar segments, or use them as is to create longer segments and then do the math to end up at the correct overall length. I had my spar segments custom made to the 15" size but I ordered in large quantities that allowed decent pricing.

The Quest part number for the spar with insert is 4022. The size is .433". They are a couple of mm thinner than the stock PL spars but work fine. They are made of 6062 aluminum so they are tough.

For the end caps, I used the aluminum "domed" end caps, Quest part number 4031, size .433. These are far superior to the cheap plastic end caps used by PL because they will not (likely) punch through your spar pocket like a cookie cutter in the event of a crash,

For the shock cord, I used the 3/32" black elastic cord, Quest part # 2402. Tie them to the end caps with bowline knots.

For spar lengths for any PL ARC, I have a spreadsheet that I call the "stickulator" with every PL spar from the Bomba to the Chargers. e-mail me for it or give some time to post it on my site for download. You can also go here....

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/mx5alan/arcs/ARCsetup_FAQ.htm

...for most spar lengths. because my spars were slightly thinner than PL stock, and because with the rounded end-caps they fit the spar pockets more efficiently, I cut my final assembled spars a few mm longer. This is not critical because the stock PL spars were often cut inaccurately anyway.

To cut aluminum spars, use a small tubing cutter available at any hardware store for about $7

I hope this is some help.



BigMikesKites - 1-8-2015 at 06:01 AM

Vliegerop will MAKE the proper size you need for Peter Lynn kites. You just need to give them a few days and the kite you are getting spars for. They come as a pair. If you need some original equipment from the original manufacturer, I can get them for you. However, any of the above alternatives should work fine.

Cheddarhead - 1-8-2015 at 07:10 AM

Thanks guys for all your help!:bigok: I'll have "her" up and flying in no time. Lots of good options:thumbup:

Cheddarhead - 11-8-2015 at 07:20 PM

It's ironic that out of all the great ideas above, I found a completely different product to make spars from. While walking thru our local Fleet n' Farm store I accidently found some fiberglass chimney cleaning rods that are the same diameter of original PL spars. They come in 6 foot lengths. Simply trim to length, round off the ends and their done! No end caps to get stuck or ferrules to corrode:D Only cost me about 7.50 per piece x 2, so a total of 15 bucks and I have new spars:thumbup: Can't complain about that.

pbc - 12-8-2015 at 07:35 PM

Angus, thanks so much for sharing. Your spars are awesome. I was worried I might never again be able to upgrade my spars.

Philip