Title: Repairing a spreader? Post by: AKA_MrBill on September 30, 2009, 01:22 PM 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? Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: RonG on September 30, 2009, 01:53 PM 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. Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: ezme6 on September 30, 2009, 01:55 PM 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.
Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: tempest on September 30, 2009, 03:12 PM i repair mine same as ezme6 , and use CA glue instead.
Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: tpatter on September 30, 2009, 03:58 PM 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..... Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: fworley on September 30, 2009, 04:12 PM [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 Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: RonG on September 30, 2009, 04:18 PM For the benefit of the noobs out there ... this is that Ron Graziano chappie above .....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. Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: Winged V on September 30, 2009, 04:40 PM 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. Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: ezme6 on September 30, 2009, 04:57 PM 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..... Good thing Lam throws in a few extra spreaders..... :D Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: tpatter on September 30, 2009, 05:15 PM 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! :) Title: Re: Repairing a spreader? Post by: chilese on September 30, 2009, 06:47 PM 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. :) |