Engineer required

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Daniel1973
Daniel1973
VIC
226 posts
VIC, 226 posts
14 Jul 2014 3:07pm
Has anyone seen the unikite? There's also another brand that make the same thing.

Here's where the engineer is required:

I have a 2005 cabrinha switchblade that sits in the shed and given the safety system of the day probably shouldn't be sold (not that anyone would buy it most likely).

I'm thinking for s**ts and giggles I might make a homemade unikite out of it. I'm not expecting it to be an amazing feat of engineering or in fact a particularly good thing to use, but if there is an engineer or engineer minded person out there that may have suggestions on a very light material that is easy to work with and cheap to build the frame out of id be keen on the suggestions. I know it's a big ask for cheap easy and light but in theory there are some smart people in the world that may have good ideas?

Here's a link to what I'm talking about:
surfingboye
surfingboye
NSW
2707 posts
NSW, 2707 posts
14 Jul 2014 3:43pm
Haha, hate to say, but that looked more hommus than plums doing his land kiting...
Daniel1973
Daniel1973
VIC
226 posts
VIC, 226 posts
14 Jul 2014 3:52pm
There's other vids on YouTube with guys on water as well. Doesn't look as fun as kiting but it's more about making something to try and at the same time doing something other than making a bag out of an old kite!
coastflyer
coastflyer
SA
601 posts
SA, 601 posts
14 Jul 2014 3:51pm
Daniel1973 said..
Has anyone seen the unikite? There's also another brand that make the same thing.

Here's where the engineer is required:

I have a 2005 cabrinha switchblade that sits in the shed and given the safety system of the day probably shouldn't be sold (not that anyone would buy it most likely).

I'm thinking for s**ts and giggles I might make a homemade unikite out of it. I'm not expecting it to be an amazing feat of engineering or in fact a particularly good thing to use, but if there is an engineer or engineer minded person out there that may have suggestions on a very light material that is easy to work with and cheap to build the frame out of id be keen on the suggestions. I know it's a big ask for cheap easy and light but in theory there are some smart people in the world that may have good ideas?

Here's a link to what I'm talking about:


I tried one of these many years ago and they work well for the intended purpose. You would be better sourcing a couple of 5 metre, identical sailboard sails, as the shape of the wing relies on cams and battens. As you can see, this type of wing has been around for a long time!




Daniel1973
Daniel1973
VIC
226 posts
VIC, 226 posts
14 Jul 2014 4:32pm


I tried one of these many years ago and they work well for the intended purpose. You would be better sourcing a couple of 5 metre, identical sailboard sails, as the shape of the wing relies on cams and battens. As you can see, this type of wing has been around for a long time!







Yeah I understand that. And it makes sense. Only thing is I have the old kite here and it's free. Maybe I've just got too much time on my hands or I'm too pig headed to think I can't do something like it, but oh well, gotta do something with my time.

Also (and I really doubt this) but I might come up with something unique and useable?
gcdave
gcdave
534 posts
534 posts
14 Jul 2014 7:19pm
Is this a long lost relo of plumdog? ^^^
suniboy21
suniboy21
VIC
1090 posts
VIC, 1090 posts
14 Jul 2014 9:23pm
Daniel, you need to get a job man!
Hybrid_Z
Hybrid_Z
VIC
382 posts
VIC, 382 posts
14 Jul 2014 9:30pm
You need a doctor, not an engineer.
Daniel1973
Daniel1973
VIC
226 posts
VIC, 226 posts
14 Jul 2014 9:40pm
Twas just an idea! I'm onto making my who knows how manyith board and was just throwing out the idea looking for a bit of a challenge.

Just think of the first guy who invented rocks! We now use them heaps.
Kamikuza
Kamikuza
QLD
6493 posts
QLD, 6493 posts
14 Jul 2014 9:56pm
I've got a Kitewing... great for highish winds in areas with limited space, like carparks.... or, everywhere here.
Daniel1973
Daniel1973
VIC
226 posts
VIC, 226 posts
14 Jul 2014 10:34pm
Kamikuza said...
I've got a Kitewing... great for highish winds in areas with limited space, like carparks.... or, everywhere here.


Have you really? If so, any chance of some close up pics of the set up?
wishy
wishy
WA
1501 posts
WA, 1501 posts
14 Jul 2014 9:15pm
You don't need an engineer, you need a bloke that can build/fix stuff. They are the complete opposite of engineers!
Daniel1973
Daniel1973
VIC
226 posts
VIC, 226 posts
14 Jul 2014 11:32pm
I can build it, just after ideas for frame material
cauncy
cauncy
WA
8407 posts
WA, 8407 posts
14 Jul 2014 9:50pm
wishy said..
You don't need an engineer, you need a bloke that can build/fix stuff. They are the complete opposite of engineers!


I was an royal engineer we were great at building stuff, but even better at blowing stuff up
puppetonastring
puppetonastring
WA
3619 posts
WA, 3619 posts
14 Jul 2014 10:19pm
Looks like the worst of all worlds to me ????????

Try "Hire-A-Hubby" they will do anything for you.
coastflyer
coastflyer
SA
601 posts
SA, 601 posts
15 Jul 2014 10:18am
Daniel1973 said..
I can build it, just after ideas for frame material


Daniel, here's a few ideas for you. You would want to use anodized aluminium or carbon fiber rods for the frame as it has to be strong and light, and protected from sea water. Good luck!








Daniel1973
Daniel1973
VIC
226 posts
VIC, 226 posts
15 Jul 2014 11:19am
coastflyer said...
Daniel1973 said..
I can build it, just after ideas for frame material


Daniel, here's a few ideas for you. You would want to use anodized aluminium or carbon fiber rods for the frame as it has to be strong and light, and protected from sea water. Good luck!











Awesome info, thanks a heap!
lukekiter
lukekiter
WA
96 posts
WA, 96 posts
15 Jul 2014 1:24pm
I think Daniel1973 has not been very productive in his day job very much lately. Dude u must have it really bad.
Daniel1973
Daniel1973
VIC
226 posts
VIC, 226 posts
15 Jul 2014 4:56pm
lukekiter said...
I think Daniel1973 has not been very productive in his day job very much lately. Dude u must have it really bad.


Fair call! I do employ people and they're productive (I think)
cauncy
cauncy
WA
8407 posts
WA, 8407 posts
15 Jul 2014 3:22pm
puppetonastring said...
Looks like the worst of all worlds to me ????????

Try "Hire-A-Hubby" they will do anything for you.


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