Big Easy Kites (Ray Bordelon) fittings

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[Michel]

Hi all,
 
I bought a (nice) second hand Big Easy Kites M2.
 
One of the two original Big Easy sail-standoff connector was replaced by a Tradewind connector. I don't know why the first owner did that.
 
My questions :
 
- Is it possible to find somewhere original Big Easy Kites fittings to replace the Tradewinds connector ?
 
- If not, is it possible to take off the Big Easy stand-off connector without damaging the sail and how : with a fine drill from inside or outside through the rivet ?

Who knows how this piece is built inside and how it works ? Is there a big hole into the sail or not ?
 
Thanks in advance for your help.
 
                                                     Inside                                                                                                                            Outside

 

And thanks Doug for this picture...

[Ca Ike]

I don't know what the originals were but I'd use a dremmel with a grinding stone to hollow out the center hole in the rivet until the bottome plate comes off.  More control and less chance of damaging the sail.  BUt if its working why remove it?

[Michel]

I'd use a dremmel with a grinding stone to hollow out the center hole in the rivet until the bottome plate comes off. More control and less chance of damaging the sail.

Thanks for the tip. But does a Dremel tool not turning too fast for this job ?

But if its working why remove it?

Yes, it works. But I prefer 100 % symetrical kites and the original Big Easy sail standoff connector is very heavy for a SUL kite (IMHO). 

[mikenchico]

... Who knows how this piece is built inside and how it works ? Is there a big hole into the sail or not ?
 

Unless you figure the reinforcement patch on the replaced side has been replaced also (pretty obvious since the sewing is continuous on your picture) then the hole won't be larger then the hole on that side, if a Tradewinds fits then anything will.

Looking at your picture but not knowing the parts personally it looks the standoff side probably has a hole all the through then a pop rivet has been put through the sail into the hole and "popped". Getting it off: if you can get something under the rivet it may pry out, I bet the replaced side simply fell off when the rivet worked loose, but you run the risk of damaging the fabric so don't force it. You could try to press it out from the standoff side but if it is a pop rivet that could mushroom it more and tighten it. Best option is careful work with a drill or Dremel to get that head off. They are made of a soft aluminum and drill easily, use a bit not more then twice the diameter of the center hole and running it in from the head side will usually take the head right off, go slow, check your progress, once your through even one area and before you drill the sail fabric you'll have thinned the whole area enough to pop the head right off.

[lou_minati]

Hi all,
There is an aluminum washer molded into the piece and the pop rivet is "popped" in.  A 1/8" drill should get it out and the connector should be reusable. I may have some of these laying around if you are determined to get a matched set.

Lou

[Ca Ike]

LOoking a bit closer at your pic that fitting is not put on with a pop rivet.  IT looks more like a snap type fitting.  you may be able to pry the edge up with a scsrewedriver just enough to get some wire cutters ure it then use a pair of pliers on the plastic side to pull it apart.  Either way you go you will more than likely destroy the fitting.

Mikes advice on the drilling is spot on.  Only thing I wil add to it is to hold the plastic side with pliers or a small bench vice to minimize the possibility of the kite itself moving on you causing you to slip.

[Michel]

Many thanks for your answers and tips my friends. 

[...] I may have some of these laying around if you are determined to get a matched set.

That would be very fine. PM sent.

Looking a bit closer at your pic that fitting is not put on with a pop rivet.  It looks more like a snap type fitting.

Do you mean that the Big Easy piece could work like the R-SKY's sail stand-off ?



R-SKY sail stand-off

[Ca Ike]

Yep they are similar.

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