GWTW Forum

OK, Here's the story followed by the question with a minor disclaimer first.

I have already ordered a direct replacement, so urgency is not so great.

Story
I was out flying my Hypno a couple days ago. When finished, I started dis-assembling it to put it back in it's bag. Like the goof that I am, I didn't dis-assemble it in the right order. Instead of removing the lower spreaders from the LLE connecters first, I tried pulling it apart at the T. Dumb move! When it was almost apart I heard a crack crack sound.  :'( Sure enough, the female spreader had some minor cracking on the end, but nothing separated from the spar. I have not flown it with the cracked spreader in fear that it might break and tear the sail.

Question
Has anyone found a reliable way to repair a cracked lower spreader?

Thoughts
One thought I had was to superglue a sleeve or section of ferrule around the cracked area and extend just beyond it a little for safety. I would also do the same on the male side opposite the T to keep the kite balanced.

So, what are your thoughts?

Not worth it.  I use $30 lower spreaders in my kite, so believe me I don't offer that advice lightly  ;)  In my experience, you'd be best off just waiting for the replacement rod.  Every in-flight spreader failure runs the risk of a sail puncture, so why screw around with that if you don't have to?

And I have never pulled the spreaders out of the LLE connectors, I leave them in at all times.  If the standoffs and upper spreader are out, most sails are slack enough that you should be able to pull the spreaders (one at a time) out of the center tee.

A quick fix I have used is.... insert a ferrule in the cracked area, wrap the area with thread, and then appy a liberal amount of nail polish. Drys hard and strong. I have flown along time on a split spreader, just remember it could break again, although none of mine ever did. I keep a little fixit box in my bag, and thread and nail polish are in it.

i repair mine same as ezme6 , and use CA glue instead.

I think its a good excuse to get a backup kite!  :)

break one - just grab the next and fly it until you get the other repaired.  Perhaps a Zephyr.....

[Bingo chilese=on]For the benefit of the noobs out there ... this is that Ron Graziano chappie above

  RonG at NJSKC06 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l75Ozp91Anc#normal)

And that kite ... he designed and built that .... and people will pay $1000 for them ... (I &%#* you not)

So ... when he posts ... you should listen ... I know I do.[/Bingo chilese=off]

Bodging repairs to spreaders is a bad idea ... for obvious reasons ... don't bother ... get a replacement

-Frazer

.....fighting to fly a ballet in a butterfly fart of a wind  :D

Seriously, to each his own, but for my money there's too much stress on a lower spreader to trust a sail to an improvised repair.  My sails only cost me materials + my sewing time, so I imagine the stakes are even higher for someone who's paying a big chunk of hard-earned cash for their kites.

Assuming the rod is not crushed and has a minor crack Heat Shrink with adhesive has worked for me.Never had failure with that repair.

I have been known to do this to spreaders to protect that stress area with new kites.

Good thing Lam throws in a few extra spreaders..... :D

Ah - you must have got a different deal than I did!

The only extras he included with mine were a few tricks!  :)

I'm with RonG. New spreader. If you want, reinforce the new spreader with heat shrink or a strong adhesive before the first flight.

Give the kite shops a little business. I always order 4 or 5 of any spar and over time, you get a nice little supply built up. Cuts down on shipping cost per spar.

Always listen to Mr. Graziano, unless he tries to sell you a Wonder Bread Machine. Wait, you should probably still buy it.  :)