Sourcing Parts

[mosquito]

I'm thinking about making a bunch of kites.

Anybody know about good resources for things like carbon fiber and plexiglass rods? How about getting small plastic parts fabbed up?

 

[carries an axe]

not the cheapest they have the parts you want probably

 

[mosquito]

Thanks! They're actually one of the ones I found last week. Do you like them? (If so, why?)

I started doing research online to find a supplier, but then I realized there are a bunch out there and just finding out where to buy may take a long time.

 

[channelcat]

TAP plastics for your non C.F. needs.

 

[Abacinator]

Might try McMaster Carr for small parts. There may be some off the shelf components that would be suitable.

 

[ThumperX]

You also might try a local sail or windsurf shop.

A lot of sail batons are CF and it may be less expensive to buy a length and cut to size. Also the little fittings may work in your application.Happy to pop into the one near our place and see what kind of pricing they have.

 

[Mike95060]

Grainger has everything. I usually find stuff there then buy it somewhere else cause Grainger is expensive.

 

[teg916]

There is a place out in Sacramento called Tap Plastics that probably has that type of stuff. I don't know if they do phone orders, looks like it is a bit far from you. I'm not sure if they have carbon fiber, but they have all kinds of composite and plastic stuff.

 

[channelcat]

Maybe Mylar for the sail membrane?

 

[ThumperX]

Just thought about Hoffmeyer Corp in San Leandro. Imagine Grainger on steroids but with much lower prices.

(510) 895-9955

1050 Aladdin Ave
San Leandro, CA 94577

 

[mosquito]

Thanks.

I'll talk to TAP and see what they might have and be able to fabricate.

I'll check out the other places too.

I'm surprised but I *do* like the homepage at http://www.mcmaster.com . It gives several methods for finding items depending on how I might be thinking about the parts. Good job on that!

 

[channelcat]

Just thought about Hoffmeyer Corp in San Leandro. Imagine Grainger on steroids but with much lower prices.

(510) 895-9955

1050 Aladdin Ave
San Leandro, CA 94577

Hoffmeyer looks more materials handling stuff, conveyer belts, etc. but really good for that.
I think McMasters is what you were thinking off. home page made me giddy.

 

[mosquito]

Oh, Mylar would be cool, but right now I have a roll of housewrap that I'm going to work with. I think I'll have options of sewing, taping, and gluing it, and it doesn't have to have a finished edge.

 

[RightCoastBias]

There's a TAP Plastics in San Leandro, too.

 

[Abacinator]

They have a ton of locations in the bay area
http://www.tapplastics.com/about/locations

 

[channelcat]

garaged Tyvek and CF rods don't add up to me, but tell us how you do! :thumbup


mentioning Mylar in wrench discussions is usually like mentioning Hitler in the political. Helloooo DARPA....

 

[bcj]

I used to buy direct from Aviasport.net when I did fighter kite classes.
I'd get them cut to exact lengths if I order 50 or more. That was years ago though.
Usually they want to sell long lengths in a roll for finer diameter solid extruded rod.
(pro tip) A bicycle brake cable cutting tool works great!

edit: Oh! Avia has been bought out by Goodwinds, so go there.

Goodwinds.com has been with the kiting community since the 70's and provide good products.
They supply a lot of kiteshop inventory worldwide.

Check into the American Kiterfliers Association (kite.org) for local makers.
I know there are a lot in the bay area.

Another place would be the RC car market RCFoam.com

A local guy has been using a 3D printer to prototype unusual bits to join kite things together, but I don't have particulars for who he goes to for production parts.

For Tyvek I've found that contact cement on both elements being joined works the most reliably.

Some 3M non-scrim (just adhesive, no backing) tapes can be used, but most need to be ironed to get them to stick well in shear loading. Not so much in tensile loading.