Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 00:49:37 -1000 From: steveh@pyramid.com (Steve Hammatt) Message-Id: <3edug1$93p@sword.eng.pyramid.com> Organization: Pyramid Technology Subject: Connector Problems I don't like the vinyl connectors on my Scorpion. They are of the hard, unyielding type of vinyl, and require the use of press-on security clips (which are difficult to apply in the current cold weather) to keep the lower spreader in place in anything other than light winds. Now I've lost one of the security clips (grr...), so I was wondering if anyone has an easier solution. I thought I could try wrapping some tape around the spreader tip, or possibly glueing an end-cap to the spreader. Steve. -- steveh@pyramid.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 05:43:52 -1000 From: jtavo@aol.com (JTavo) Message-Id: <3eefno$6l3@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: Connector Problems During the three, plus years of scorpion flight, I have lost only one retaining clip. The secret is to leave them on in a compressed state. This makes the connections tight enough for security and doesn't require a lot of effort for removal. As far as tuning scorpions, use small adjustments as the bridal is not very long. This makes it very sensitive to even small adjustments. As corey stated, to improve light wind flight either remove top spreader or cut top spreader about an inch and three quarters. Hope this helps! Tavoxo, John = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 07:03:36 -1000 From: sasaki@netope.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Message-Id: <3eekd8$fhk@netope.harvard.edu> Organization: Harvard OIT Network Services Subject: Re: Connector Problems In article <3edug1$93p@sword.eng.pyramid.com>, steveh@pyramid.com (Steve Hammatt) writes: |>I don't like the vinyl connectors on my Scorpion. You can replace them. Several folks make fittings of various types that might work better. I've used Beman connectors with pretty good success (if you need Beman style connectors and are having a hard time getting them from Beman, try Kathy Goodwin of Goodwin kites, she has a non-Beman source). I also like the SkyShark connectors. |>Now I've lost one of the security clips (grr...), so I was wondering if |>anyone has an easier solution. I thought I could try wrapping some tape |>around the spreader tip, or possibly glueing an end-cap to the spreader. For competition, Storm Front tapes all of the sticks in place. We once field crewed for a team whose kites literally fell apart every time they crashed. We spent so much time putting their kites back together that we decided after that to always tape the kites. Another solution is to use rubber bands to hold things in place. Glue a vinyl ring onto the end of a spreader, larks head a rubber band around the ring, and put the other end of the band over the vinyl fitting. The Big Brother and the Little Sister have a two piece fitting. The inner tube looks like some kind of silicone rubber which grabs the spreader nicely. A stiffer material is around this to make the fitting more rigid. -- Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrications sasaki@noc.harvard.edu Network Services Division 26 Green Street 617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-522-8546 -- Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrications sasaki@noc.harvard.edu Network Services Division 26 Green Street 617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-522-8546 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 19:10:55 -1000 From: Dan Whitney Message-Id: Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Subject: Re: Connector Problems steve, If your spreader rod is too loose in your vinyl, dip your rod in a glue that will harden, let set till completely dry , now try the fit if it still too loose repete and try again. if you make it too tight then sand some of the glue off. custom fit by the best/ you. also your can get some heat shrink tape and try that also. dan gone with the wind kites. also this year i will have a catalog free for you just email your snail mail address, dan = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =