I didn't want to hijack another thread so I figured I'd post a new topic. I was hoping those of you who fly on pulley handles could chime in regarding reverse launching or should I say the lack there of. I liked the idea of them being able to get the extra throw necessary with some kites and the extra force necessary to pull the brakes didn't seem excessive but the inability to relaunch a kite that is nose down killed it for me. I realize you can reach out and grab the brake lines equally, get the kite to rise, then in one miracle motion drop the brake lines, grab your other handle, and steer the kite around before it just mashes into the ground again,,,,,,but doing that kind of sucked in my opinion. The other problem I encountered is that they make bowtie's worse. Many times a bowtie can be "shaken out" before the kite ends up on the ground but with pulley handles it's a lot less likely to happen because once the kite starts dropping from the sky any pull on the bottom lines is creating an equal pull on the top line (due to the pulley)making "shaking out the bowtie" a lot less likely. So basically I was wondering if you guys who use pulley handles could give me your opinion on these issues. Thanks for the help

I have found that you still have to set up the kite/lines/handles the same as you would on a regular pair of handles, you just have more leverage and power with the handles. That's why all the knots in the power and the brake leaders. All the power handles do is give you the ability to apply more brake pressure with less hand/wrist strength. You move the handles, apply the brakes, with more wrist movement.
That's how it works for me.

Thanks for responding bigkid. I guess we're the only two who have used pulley handles;-). Any thoughts on the issues I pointed out?

There are a number of users of the power handles on the forum. There really isn't an issue with the handles as far as relaunching, just a little more throw of the distance the brake end will travel. Thats why all the different knots for adjustments. I don't have the difficulty you expressed in any aspect of the use of the handles. Sounds like they need to be adjusted. I do use a harness with them, could that be the problem?

maybe youre just using too much brake line throw... what size kite are you using them with?... besides the fact, the blade iv's larger sizes have the cross-bridle that helps with turning speed, which may well render pulley handles obsolete on those particular kites.

pulley handles are for speeding up the turning radius/speed of large kites, or so i have been taught.... to be honest, my 9m century can turn on a dime without them as long as i have the brake lines in the proper configuration to start with.

I got a set of custum pulley handles. It works just the same for me,but easier . Just takes a lighter touch on the brakes. Probably just need some tweakin to dial it in.

I use pulley handles exclusively on my RM+10. They give me much better light wind performance allowing me to fly in winds down to 5mph. Without them, the bottom end would be at least 7 or 8 mph. They definitely give you more ability to trim the kite in light winds and keep it inflated when turning thus preventing it from collapsing or starting to bowtie.
I wouldn't use them on anything smaller than about 8M. Several folks fly 14 and 16M race kites and they are very difficult to manage without pulley handles and long lines.

I have never thought there was much of an advantage to reverse launching, but then again I don't have to do that much :D

Hmmm, maybe its just me?? After 15 years of flying I thought I knew what I was doing but I'll be the first to admit sometimes its the obvious things that slip by me:puzzled:. Of course flying race kites in gusty conditions doesn't help the situation. I'll have to play around with it some more.

Ok so I got some Harkonnen pulleys to try these out, but I can't figure out a clean way to attach the pulley to the handle there's either a big fat knot or the loop is running through the rough hole in the aluminum handles ... the MSN group with the plans is shut down ...
Suggestions?

No luck with any deburring tools??



Judicious use of a grind stone at moderate speeds on a Dremel should get you pretty close. Vinyl sheath on the dyneema should get you the rest of the way.

If you used a electric drill to make the hole it will leave burrs on the inside. If you undercut the hold (make a tad smaller than it needs to be and ream the last bit, there should be much less of that.

This is all from making tweaks to an aluminum computer case and finding ways to minimize getting my hands turned into hamburger.

ATB,
Sam

It'll be the original holes in the old PL handles I'm using ... I've got something for my air tool dremel that should work but it's a pain in the ass dragging it all out I might try the tubing first ...

Change of plan - de-burred the holes then patiently filed them smooth ... and DIY pulley handles, finished! Now if it'll stop raining, I can test them!

Here are the plans I made some time ago. I don't use the knots on the brake lines anymore but instead use a double larks head. I recommend you buy one set to copy by and and make your sets. I would appreciate it, but it is not necessary. Email or call me if you have questions.
Jon

I been pouring over the internet trying to find a cache of the MSN group with that plan then gave up and DIYed it
Went from the dimensions in the pics that float around ... we'll see Thanks Jelli!

Good to see I accidentally bought the right block anyway