Repairing a spreader?

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[AKA_MrBill]

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?

[RonG]

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.

[ezme6]

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.

[tempest]

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

[tpatter]

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.....

[fworley]

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

 

RonG at NJSKC06

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

[RonG]

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 

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.

[Winged V]

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.

[ezme6]

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.....

[tpatter]

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

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

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

[chilese]

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. 

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