Kite Line manufacturers

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 402 Posts Portland Obsessed

I will be retrofitting three bars with new lines, possible a forth. For this I’m gathering all the information I can about line manufacturers. Does anyone have experience? Looking at what kite brands use what OEM. Also some years ago there was a recall from Cabrinha and was wondering what brand of line they had problems with.

What brand are you familiar with?
Any quietly issues?
What kite brand might be using the line?
Line diameter size experience / recommendations?

Here is a list I’ve put together from my kite forum research

Powerline Sports
www.powerline-sports.com
Looks like they just resell the Honeywell Spectra line

Honeywell
www51.honeywell.com
Manufacture of Spectra

Teufelberger
www.teufelberger.com

DSM Dyneema, B.V.
www.dyneema.com

Yale Cordage
www.yalecordage.com

Edelrid
www.edelrid.de

APCO Aviation
www.apcoaviation.com

Liros
www.liros.com

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1523 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

I am probably wrong but I think NAK and some others had some threads on here of what to exactly use and how they did it. might want to PM him or search around.

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 402 Posts Portland Obsessed

Thanks, just found the old post !

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-11649-0-asc-0.html

Some really good info!

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

to refit lines to an old bar? I've done some line replacement back in the days when I added oh shiz loops etc..., but it's expensive.

I'm wondering how much a new bar with new lines is compared to replacing lines. Is it cost effective?

Just aksing,
Ron

Nak · Sat Apr 13, 13 7:44 am

You can make a new set of lines for around $60. That's using #800 test and spliced loops. It's really pretty easy to do. The first set takes the longest because you're figuring things out. After that it's about an hour to do a set of lines. The hardest part is pre-stretching the line. Best to find a remote location and stretch a whole spool as one piece.

I really can't recommend Powerline/Q-line. It's stretchier than factory line, despite claims to the contrary. Every knot I've tried slips when you apply a load above about 150#. Since lines only occasionally see that load in real use, the net effect is that your lineset slowly, but regularly, goes out of tune. Splices require only minimally more effort than tying knots. A splice never slips and retains near 100% line strength. A knot in Q-line has a breaking strength of 50% or less than line strength. A splice makes a line less prone to tangle than a knot. A splice is better in every possible way than a knot. Q-line/powerline can not be spliced. No offense to those who use q-line, it does work. But switch to spliced quality spectra/dyneema line and your bar will stay in tune far longer and your kites will fly better.

No-name lines are even worse. I picked up a spool of #800 spectra from a kite shop at the coast--not a kiteboarding shop--and this stuff is horrible. It has twice the stretch of factory line which renders it completely unusable. Believe me, a little extra stretch really affects the handling of your kite. The no-name 800# line turned a great handling kite into a POS that was terrible to fly. If you could find a line that stretched even less than factory line, I think you'd be absolutely amazed at how much better your kite flew... BTW, the no name line is the same material as the factory, just a different weave.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 534 Posts Addicted

Nak,
That's as thorough an answer as I've seen on anything on this forum. Sounds like it cost you more than a few bucks to figure it all out. What made you want to do your own lines out of curiosity?

Sella · Sun Apr 14, 13 9:54 am

rePete · Since 18 Dec 2007 215 Posts Mosier, Oregon Stoked

Thanks for all the info Nak! Where is the best place to buy the 800# Spectra? Is it all the same line if it's Spectra from Honeywell? Is 800# the breaking strength? I looked at some online sites and found it confusing. Thanks again for your help on this!

Nak · Sun Apr 14, 13 10:31 pm

I'm always tinkering with stuff... Smile

I haven't seen the Honeywell spectra... Spectra is the material all the lines are made out of, though it's called by different names. What is different is the braid. It would be awesome to find a make that was pre-stretched as that's the only difficult part of the process. Jerry Brown fishing line is good stuff, I need to find a cheap supplier again.

rePete · Since 18 Dec 2007 215 Posts Mosier, Oregon Stoked

So after more research time it gets even more complicated. There are many manufacturers using the "Spectra" fiber developed by Honeywell that make rope and line. So not all Spectra line is the same. I guess just like all cotton shirts aren't the same. still trying to find a supplier that has the line best for our application. Like Nak said, the Jerry Brown line seems good but it seems his business is not supplying to the distributors anymore. We need to find out who makes the line we want and who sells it. Anyone know where to get the "right stuff"? I have a call into Yale Cordage but have not heard back from them. If we get enough people interested maybe we could buy a large spool and split it. Colors would also be helpful. Thanks again Nak for all your input!

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 402 Posts Portland Obsessed

I would be interested in sharing a spool !!
Also Blade is using Teufelberger line

rePete · Since 18 Dec 2007 215 Posts Mosier, Oregon Stoked

Update! I talked with Jerry Brown today, very nice man, 83, and very active still. The company is making the line and I can get it directly from him. He offered to look at our application and maybe have some suggestions. He is very well informed and worked 40 years in the plastics industry. His company actually makes their line. He really seems to know how to properly splice and make high strength connections. I sent him some pictures of how we connect our lines. Will report back when I hear back from him. I'll get some prices and maybe we can come up with a list of people interested in going in on a spool of it.
Haven't heard back from the big companies like Honeywell and Yale Cordage, I guess they don't realize who I am!

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 402 Posts Portland Obsessed

Ya I know the feeling, they probably never heard of Mosier Oregon either !
I’m in just send me a note 