My Kite Nose Construction Technique

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[photogbill]

Someone asked me to post info on how to construct a snag-free kite nose so here goes. I'm not sure what inspired me to come up with my particular method. It was probably looking at (studying) other kite-maker build techniques and deciding how I was going to incorporate those for my kite builds! I first started this method while building a few L'Organics over 3 years ago! I hadn't been aware that someone else had an almost identical method until someone pointed it out recently on a different thread.

That being said, I thought that some may like to see the process I take in my nose-piece constructions!

First the finished noses of the 6th Sense I just completed:

Front View:


Back view:


The description area of this link will explain my step by step process:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62683296@N00/sets/72157632452482729/

I sew the front/back lip together first, being careful not to go beyond the LE sew lines for the LE rod pocket. Then I sew the two parellel lines that will form the pocket for the spine. Because of the tight 'fit' I choose not to sew along the outside leading edge of the nose like some kit-makers do because I don't feel it's necessary.

I'd be glad to try to answer any questions someone might have! 

[sugarbaker]

this looks great, I may give the same technique a go on my next build.  thanks for sharing!

[photogbill]

Thanks 'sugarbaker'! I hope the explanation a gave in my Flickr photo set wasn't too hard to follow!

[photogbill]

Thanks Steve!

[Ca Ike]

Here's another way of doing a snagless nose (no method is snag free if there is a corner somewhere )  I've been replacing my noses this way lately but I can't take credit for the idea since its been passed around the industry for a while now.

IMG_0643 by Ca Ike, on Flickr

[photogbill]

Here's another way of doing a snagless nose (no method is snag free if there is a corner somewhere )  I've been replacing my noses this way lately but I can't take credit for the idea since its been passed around the industry for a while now.

IMG_0643 by Ca Ike, on Flickr

Thanks for sharing. I have seen the type of nose construction that you posted ...or at least something very similar but with all the extra material and effort done on that nose-piece ....I don't see how it has any less chances for flying line snags ...if it doesn't in fact cause more! Most of the time the flying line is wrapping directionally from the nose downward towards the tail in roll-ups. That might not be the ONLY time a flying line would snag on the nose of the kite but I guess the bottom line is there is no perfect solution to constructing a completely snag-free kite nose for stunt kites!

[Ca Ike]

IF your doing a yoyo and you get the line on the nose its going to snag no matter what just because of the friction webbing has. THe idea behind snagless noses is to make it easier to get the line out of the snag in mid air before crashing.  The way my nose is done eliminates the snag you get at the lower end of the webbing which seems to be a more common snag.  AS for the extra material, there really is none. YOu just slit the LE about 3/8 inch in from the edge and slide the nose material edges inside the LE. YOu can do it all the way to the tip or just part way like i did.

Your way works and looks good too, but you can still snag the lower edge of the webbing if you get a line in the right spot.  No idea will be completely snag free as long as we have friction to deal with and the ever present slack management mistakes