From: reich@nosc.mil (Ronald S. Reich) Subject: Re: dog stake flying Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 13:11:35 GMT >From: ce12+@andrew.cmu.edu (Christopher Aaron Ekberg) >I just read _Kite Precision_. Wow, I had no idea how much I was >missing. One thing I really want to try is dog stake flying. >I'm curious about how to run the lines through the stake top. >Wouldn't the friction melt spectra lines? Or if the loop isn't >*perfectly* smooth, wouldn't it just chew it up? I'm dying to >try this, but I don't have any extra line. Have any of you >tried this? What's the best way to go about it? TRUE, it is important that the dog stake be smooth. I use a jewelers file to remove any burrs that were created during the bending process. The dog stake usually has about a 1/4 inch gap at the loop. This is just enough for the lines to slide into position. If the one you get is completely closed then just open the loop enough to allow the lines to slide into the loop. The only time I had line break at the dog stake was when I tried to use 80 lb test. I feel real comfortable with 200 lb and even use 300 lb is the winds are strong. 150 ft long Spectra is my line of choice. When I first started I used Kevlar. The Kevlar would actually cut a groove into the metal dog stake. Some flyers rotate their lines to distribute the wear. That means that they switch the handle ends periodically. I usually work at the right edge of the wind window while dog stake flying. It is dangerous to stand straight down wind. Hope This Helps, Ron Reich ****************************************************************** This message was written by the kites/rec.kites mail/news gateway. Mailing list requests and inquiries should be sent to "kites-request@das.harvard.edu". Mail sent to "kites@das.harvard.edu" will be forwarded to rec.kites.