Trim line broke, 2009 Naish bar hole edge problem ??

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

My trimline broke yesterday, then my SLE kite instantly went in to a death spin, ended up needing to hit the QR on my chickenloop and then on my leash, I guess this is what happens with SLE kites, wow, way different than breaking a trim line on a C kite, I'm not going to let my trimline get wornout again !

I knew the trimline was worn, my fault for not replacing it, but I only had about 20 sessions on this bar. My previous Naish bars would last way longer than this, made me wonder if there is a problem with my bar hole creating excessive wear on the trim-line. I inspected it and the edge at top of the hole appears sharp, like it wasn't smoothed out. Are these bars supposed to be like this ??? I'm going to try smoothing out the bar myself with a Dremel, so the next trimline I put in there will last longer, any suggestions on anything to avoid doing ??

I cannot find the posting on how to use Amsteel line to double back into itself to make an eye (I need an eye at one end to connect to smart loop), any pointers. I'd like to use Amsteel, what size should I buy ??

Thanks

Chooch · Wed Aug 19, 09 12:28 pm

We need an "Ask Nak" section of the forum for all things related to fixing and tuning up your kite Cool

Bettyboarder · Wed Aug 19, 09 1:30 pm

From Nak pasts posts

I did a thread on here on how to make a new depower rope, but I can't find it? Anyways, it's not all that hard. Get some 3/16"Amsteel. Tie an overhand knot about 5 inches from one end. Make a splice like you were making a loop, except make it right at the base of the knot. Now you have a knot at one end of the rope with 5" of doubeled up line. Cut the line at least a good foot longer than your current rope. Look how your old rope is installed. take it apart and install your new rope. (The knot ends up at the bearing in the chicken loop.) Once you've tuned your bar mark the Rope where it goes in to the cleat so you know where to cut the rope. Double up the line where it goes through the grab handle. (The thingy you grab to depower...)

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-10333.html&highlight=amsteel

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-7571.html&highlight=rev+pulley

Bettyboarder · Wed Aug 19, 09 1:31 pm

A "how to" section might be nice

Nak · Wed Aug 19, 09 1:38 pm

jks313 · Since 16 Aug 2009 6 Posts Kook

I know this won't be much help, but I can commiserate. My first center-line failure on a Naish bar was in 2001 on my AR5 15m. I've had one after that as well, but began paying close attention to the condition of that line. It seems that Naish is continuing to build bars that saw through this line, even today. I always liked how my Naish's flew, but have forever cursed their bars, and not just because of the deficiency mentioned above. I have since gravitated to Slingshot, primarily for their bars (not perfect, but very close to it). Others are good too, but without a doubt (in my opinion) Naish has always produced an inferior bar & lines system.

JK

Chooch · Wed Aug 19, 09 7:57 pm

Another good idea for extending the life of your depower line is rub paraffin wax on it ever 2-3 sessions. Keeps the wear down over the life of the bar.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

If you use the big spectra rope, like 3/16 inch, you can use a straight hemostat, instead of a fid to pull the rope back inside itself, in order to make the "eye" splice. Just slip the closed hemostat up through the center of the rope and then open it to grab the loose end, and close it and pull the end back through the center of the rope. You can do this multiple times to achieve a longer splice.

If you are going to buy fids, I like to order them from "Tow Me Up".

http://www.towmeup.com/splicing.html

They make their fids out of knitting needles and tap the cut end so that the spectra screws in to the end.

Nak, what is your source for fids? Have you found a size that works well for the 1/8 inch spectra?

Nak · Thu Aug 20, 09 7:20 am

I just use stainless steel rod from a hardware store. I cut a piece about 12" long and grind it round on one end. I found that a round (semi-spherical) end works a lot better than a tapered end on amsteel. As far as size, I stay a bit under the diameter of the line. For 1/8" line (.125") I use rod around .11" in diameter. .125" rod will work, but it's a little tight. .09" rod will work, but it tends to slide out of the braid too easily.

There's a couple of pics on the TowMeUp.com site that illustrate making an eye:

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

Hi.

Thanks for all the tips / pointers. Now I know how to make a new trim line for my bar.

Regarding the splice length, the original bar only had like 5" with lots of lockstitching, I like the sound of 10" better, and I'll try to taper it as best as I can. I saw on utube how to splice flying lines with a micro braiding tool (fixmykite.com) and they spliced 9" with a in-out weave. Is there any info anywhere on the optimal lengths to splice line, it seems pretty subjective.

In preparation for my new trimline, I smoothed out the rough edges on the hole, so hopefully I'll have less wear. Here's the after picture.

wylieflyote · Thu Aug 20, 09 1:44 pm

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Yeah, they work great..................Oh, you mean...as a fid?

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

on the subject of trim line rough openings
I fly 4 line single trim line kites.

The first thing I do is file the steel ferrel with a jewelers file
then when the metal wears out I remove it and replace it with
maleable stainless steel pipe from the steel supply shop
I then take a tapered punch and flare the ends while in the bar
being careful to not strike the interior of the ferrel
the new insert usually lasts
I use 1/4" spectra for trim line

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

The Naish bar's got an aluminum hole insert. On the old bars, I would wear the plastic insert out and then the rope would start wearing into the carbon bar itself. I thought the metal inserts stopped this, but I guess they wear too, just not as fast.

Can we get some pics of your homemade insert, sounds very cool !!

I purchased a new trimline, decided to use the parts from my old line to make a spare, so now I'm not rushed for time to make my trimline from scratch. The new one is only spliced 2". The old one was spliced 4". The one I'm going to make will be spliced 10" and better tapered. Guessing Naish figured out 2" was enough, seems pretty minimal ! Thoughts ?

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

where abouts did you purchase the new line from?

how much did it set you back? I'm thinking about picking up one of these as a spare since I'm a little hesitant to dive into splicing and stitching my own lines Embarassed

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

I ordered it from BigWinds in Hood River. They shipped and I got it the next day.

Total with shipping was $41.

kiteboards · Since 19 Mar 2009 47 Posts

Nice one, thanks for posting this. Very helpful Smile