TBHinPhilly:
Original stitches in the LE bottom corner. The ripstop nylon fabric - 0.75 oz - is folded over 1x and sewn to form the LE tunnel. It has no reinforcement (inside or outside) at the end and has worn through.
TBHinPhilly:
The ripstop nylon fabric - 0.75 oz - is folded over 1x and sewn to form the LE tunnel. A small opening in the stitching allows for insertion of the LE spar - all aluminum tubing for framing of this kite.
TBHinPhilly:
Original stitches in the LE bottom corner. The ripstop nylon fabric - 0.75 oz - is folded over 1x and sewn to form the LE tunnel. It has no reinforcement (inside or outside) at the end and has worn through.
TBHinPhilly:
Original stitches in the LE bottom corner. The ripstop nylon fabric - 0.75 oz - is folded over 1x and sewn to form the LE tunnel. It has no reinforcement (inside or outside) at the end and has worn through.
TBHinPhilly:
A completed repair on one side. Will detail the steps on the other side.
TBHinPhilly:
The completed repair on one side. Will detail the steps for the other.
TBHinPhilly:
Inserting the aluminum LE back in.
TBHinPhilly:
Side 2 - Original stitches in the LE bottom corner. The ripstop nylon fabric - 0.75 oz - is folded over 1x and sewn to form the LE tunnel. It has no reinforcement (inside or outside) at the end and has worn through.
TBHinPhilly:
Picking the stitches out. This is always a little nerve wracking for me. Once I start disassembling there is always the question of will I get it back together again - or is it the beginning of the true end of the kite.
TBHinPhilly:
All stitches out. They survived 40 years.
TBHinPhilly:
The LE tunnel pocket opened up. Pretty threadbare 0.75 oz ripstop nylon - no reinforcement on the original - just the cloth.
TBHinPhilly:
The LE tunnel pocket opened up. Pretty threadbare 0.75 oz ripstop nylon - no reinforcement on the original - just the cloth.
TBHinPhilly:
Ripstop repair tape. This makes a great first step in stabilizing damaged original fabric that needs to be kept in place. It is somewhat repositionable and a very thin layer.
TBHinPhilly:
Ripstop repair tape added to the inside of the tunnel pocket. This covers the fabric where it is threadbear and worn through. Edges to be trimmed flush.
TBHinPhilly:
Outside view of the ripstop repair tape holding the original fabric together and covering the threadbare patches. To be trimmed flush.
TBHinPhilly:
Outside view of the ripstop repair tape holding the original fabric together and covering the threadbare patches. Trimmed flush. This layer stabilizes the original fabric before I apply dacron in the next step.
TBHinPhilly:
Self-Adhesive dacron (insignia cloth) added to the outside as the true reinforcement. To be trimmed flush.
TBHinPhilly:
Sewing a flat line of stitches across the top of the dacron and ripstop repair tape. This edge will not be part of any seam so it needs a stitch to hold it in place.
TBHinPhilly:
Sewing a flat line of stitches across the top of the dacron and ripstop repair tape. This edge will not be part of any seam so it needs a stitch to hold it in place.
TBHinPhilly:
Getting set to resew the LE tunnel pocket seam.
TBHinPhilly:
Resewing the LE tunnel pocket seam to the first stop point. Gotta leave a gap in the stitches to insert the LE spar.
TBHinPhilly:
LE tunnel pocket seam all sewn. Opening in stitches allows insertion of the LE spar. Small bottom stitch keeps spar in pocket. Straight across stitch is for end of spar. Angle stitch is to the end of the wing.
TBHinPhilly:
Getting set to trim the excess dacron - hot cut to weld it shut.
TBHinPhilly:
Trim the excess dacron - hot cut to weld it shut.
TBHinPhilly:
Completed reinforcement and fixing of both LE wing tip tunnel pockets.
TBHinPhilly:
Detail shots of the LE spreader connectors. Aluminum framing. Aluminum tab with a rubber gasket between the tab and the framing. Tubing connector for spreader. Riveted together. Held in place by a later added (I presume) zip tie.
TBHinPhilly:
Detail shots of the LE spreader connectors. Aluminum framing. Aluminum tab with a rubber gasket between the tab and the framing. Tubing connector for spreader. Riveted together. Held in place by a later added (I presume) zip tie.
TBHinPhilly:
Detail shots of the LE spreader connectors. Aluminum framing. Aluminum tab with a rubber gasket between the tab and the framing. Tubing connector for spreader. Riveted together. Held in place by a later added (I presume) zip tie.
TBHinPhilly:
Detail shots of the LE spreader connectors. Aluminum framing. Aluminum tab with a rubber gasket between the tab and the framing. Tubing connector for spreader. Riveted together. Held in place by a later added (I presume) zip tie.
TBHinPhilly:
Detail shots of the LE spreader connectors. Aluminum framing. Aluminum tab with a rubber gasket between the tab and the framing. Tubing connector for spreader. Riveted together. Held in place by a later added (I presume) zip tie.
