Materials and instruments

The paper and laths of different kinds can be used in the construction of kites. You also need thread, wire, small nails and glue for the joining of kites' details.

Pine-tree and bamboo - the most preferable material for kites' frame designing: 

pine-tree:

  • has resinous straight - foliated wood (rose or white)
  • has small number of knots
  • knifed very easily
  • pine-laths (section 3*3 mm) soaked in water 20ºC - 25º C during
    6 hours can be bent into arc (with radius more than 30 mm)
  • pine-laths boiled in water during 15 - 20 minutes can be bent
    better and easier
  • bent laths keep for their forms after drying too

bamboo:

  • treelike cereal, grows in subtropical countries
  • there are more than 200 kinds of bamboo
  • yellow-white stems with diameter 50 - 60 mm are
    the most useful for kite's construction
  • bamboo can be bent very easily above the fire
  • for kites use only yellow-white bamboo because old bamboo
    which is with brown and white spots is very brittle

Of course, other kinds of wood can be used in the construction of kites too. But bamboo and pine-tree are the best materials  for kites.

 

INSTRUMENTS you need in:

      - scissors
      - knifes
      - fret-saw (for cutting out some details from the veneer)
      - pencils
      - rule
      - files and emery - for processing of wooden details

Before starting to build a kite you have to know how to work with cutting instruments.
Without knowing the safety engineering of these instruments you can damage yourself or other  people.