THE BOX KITE

Southland Times, Issue 23308, 18 September 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE BOX KITE

Kites are in; perhaps you bought one; perhaps you made an ordin-' ary one. Now try this superior one and see how satisfactory it is—the box kite.

Cut four strips of light wood, redwood or white pine (free from knots), each measuring 36in by gin x gin and four more pieces lOin by gin x gin. These should be planed smoothly and the sharp edges should be sandpapered off. Next

glue and nail the short pieces to the long ones to make two frames as shown at (A) in fig. 2. These may be bound with waxed thread to strengthen the joints. It is necessary to be very careful to make the frame square.

Before making the crossbars—B, fig. 2—which should be bound where they cross, sew the cloth parts. These measure 3ft Bin by lOin wide—this does not include extra for hemming. A light calico is a good material, but silk or paper may be used. Put the material parts over the side frames A and ask someone to hold them while you measure the length of the cross pieces B. These should be

cut full length so that they have to be sprung into position, thus holding the cloth tightly stretched. Notch them at the ends to fit over the side frames and bind them with waxed thread just below the jaotgfeeg. Spring tbs .Q£OSsslg irjta

position and bind them where they cross. Attach the bridle cords just below the top cloth—see fig. 1 —and tie them together about 3ft Sin away. To Make the Winder or Reel This is simply made as shown' in fig. 3. Cut two 4jin discs from gin wood, each with a 1 l/16in hole in the centre. For the drum use a piece of wood 2gin long by 2in x 2in, with the corners planed off. Make a hole 1 l-16in through as shown; the drum could be bored after the discs are glued and nailed on, boring from each side; in this way the hole would be bored straight for the handle to go through. The handle is lin dowelling lOin long. It is held in place with gin pins on each side of the discs, see figure 3. A winding handle could be fixed as shown with a Jin dowell 2in long. The best cord to get is builder’s cord, say from 300 to 500 feet; atSagb U is fcrAdle ag Shown,