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Big Spinning Thing

This last project is the culmination of several pieces of “line laundry” for my kite pal Paul.  We met one afternoon on the field, he being rather new to the hobby, had a couple good kites, a DC, a keeled delta of nine feet, and a cellular, found a box kite (homemade) at a yard sale, etc.   He had a tail or two from the kite store tied to his kites as they flew.

Later that week we went together to a club event at Malaquite Beach and he saw the awesome diversity in all types of ” line laundry”.  I think he got the affliction right there!!

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The next time we flew at home I brought a bag of “tails /tubes”.  As I started putting several “ensembles” aloft adding various pieces of line laundry Paul was all questions.  By the end of the afternoon I had given/sold him several of my hand made tube tails, agreed to make various bags and things that are most useful to “windjunkies”.

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Days later Paul calls and says he’s dropping by the studio/workshop if I’m “in”.  He wants more line laundry, specifically a spinsock.  A size and color scheme was selected, cost negotiated, and I hustled out a ten footer.  It was taken next afternoon to “field trials” and never was a lad so happy with a new toy.

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So last week he catches me at a local eatery, stops by and says “got a couple new projects for ya”,   he’s in need of another spinsock, BIGGER!!  So off to the drawing boards, and materials stashed.  Found some suitable pieces that fit the bill,  and the “engineering” exercises” begin.

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The cut plan and color scheme is laid out and work begins.  Oh, but the best laid plans of mice and men never always go as planned.  The third color material is of a ” one good side” nature and can’t be reversed after cutout.  Not having enough on hand to double cut, a new game plan has to be determined.  So now we have a “kaleidoscope” of colors rather than just three as originally designed. It will fit with most any colored kite.  This thing is 20 foot in length,  and spectacular in the air. Doesn’t look like much piled on the

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workbench, but in flight,  well,  I’m one happy “seamster”… 

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Only going to be one like it,  a unique custom designed spinsock for a little more investment as an inferior imported mass produced item.

So Paul, Scott, and I went to the park, the winds are high teens gusting to mid twenties.  Spinsock did most excellent, took all “punishmrnt” just fine.

  Happy “airing of the laundry” was had by all!

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