Handle Repair

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[Dano]

Anyone ever have luck repairing a set of handles like these?
The foam seems pretty well stuck, thinking of trying to slide it off
will probably only tear it up, and drilling a hole through the handle will
probably just leave a burr that will surely put me on my arse again
the next time it breaks. 




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[indigo_wolf]

There was a similar discussion earlier this year over here:
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=12873&page=1#pid118155

Deburring is relatively painless with a little patience.

Vinyl tubing where the leader enters and exits the handles is fairly common and saves fingers and leaders.

Gutting the foam is up to you, should be able to do it without it, but if you decide to upgrage, you might consider hypalon tubing (used in coating fishing poles).   Might also consider upgrading the leaders to sleeved dyneema or light amsteel depending on what you normally fly on those handles.

ATB,
Sam

[Dano]

Thanks Sam, I'll check your link.
I just made a slice thinking that would be easy to reglue after the repair.
Looks like there was some little plastic bushing that protected the hole.
Looks like it broke too. I think i'll just fix all 4 lines now that i'm at it.
New line is a very good idea.  thanks again.


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[Charly]

You might try an old motorcycle mechanic trick.  You use compressed air to loosen the grip and then slide it off.

Charly

[TGunn]

Dano,
  I have a few sets of handles like those, and had the same problem with the top leader line getting cut, or pulling out of the handle hole. This is how I repaired my handles:

1. Pry off the plastic end cap at the bottom of the handle.
2. Using a stunt kite sleeving wire, slide the wire thru the top handle hole and push the wire thru until it comes out of the bottom of the handle.
3. Place a short piece of vinyl tubing over the new leader line, preferably one that will fit snuggly inside the leader line hole. This will protect the new leader line from getting cut again. Make sure the new leader line's retaining knot is large enough to prevent the leader line from pulling thru the hole during flight usage. Larger diameter line is recommended.
4. Insert the new leader line between the sleeving wire, then pull the wire and leader line back thru the handle and out the top hole.
5. Tie line adjustment knots in the new leader line.
6. Insert plastic cap beack in the bottom of the handle (glue may be necessary).

If you don't have a stunt kite, line sleeving wire, go buy a guitar or piano wire and make one.

[Dano]

Excellent!!

Thanks Troy. 

Now i wont have to cut the top of my other handle to fix it.

[normofthenorth]

If you have trouble making a fat enough knot, you can always tie the leader to a bead or a ring. Or use some kind of "washer" with a smaller hole.

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