FASTENERS

 Kiters and Kapers need fixing devices to fasten windsocks, flags, cuddly toys, rigs on the kite line.

 

The basic rule is that the line loop is greater than the diameter of the line.

So, for any device, the radius of edges where the line will roll around must be greater than the diameter of the line.

 

The worst is to make a loop with a simple knot. A piece of line with a prussik knot is better. However, I much prefer the here described fasteners.

However, I much prefer the clamps as described hereunder for the ease to set on the line and to remove.

The easiest to make are done from metallic rods. The clips are more complex to make by oneself.

Before these fasteners in wire I have done many fasteners from plates.

FANG HOOK

 

So easy to make and really efficient! No wonder that this hook became my favorite.

Take a rod in a material which doesn't rust. The basic form is shown on the pictures. They are between 100 and 150mm long. With four turns and a line tension of 1 kg, it takes more than 10 kg load to make it slide.

If there is no tension on the line and if it could turn around it, it could get loose from the line by rotation. With half a dozen turns, it never happened.

 

A pair weights less than 5g.

 

             

With a lark's knot at the bottom (right pic), the safety is total.

  

Making

The diameter is at least the one of the line. Most of mine are in titanum rod Ø 2 and 2,4mm. or also in aluminum Ø 2,4 and Ø 3 mm. A round nose pliers will do the job. Smooth the cut edges to avoid to damage the line.

    

The DOUBLE-HOOK, or CATCH

 

This other shape of the hook gives a better feeling of safety than the simple fang hook. It hardly slides and will not get loose as easily. Its pro is the size of the buckle which let hang any accessory before to set it on the lines, for example, the line of another kite for a rescue.

Some will recognize the shape of the gamma hook with curved tips.

It is possible to make other shapes like this one or the brook's hangup.

The LONGLINE CLIP

These longline clips are a fishing tackle.

Very easy to set on, they can easily slide on the line.  I have measured on a polyamide line Ø 2 mm well stretched that sliding occurs as soon as the load exceeds 1 kg. To avoid sliding, do a loop around the top beak before to release the clip but it doesn't prevent the risk of sudden fall

WARNING: Except if the clip is set in a Larks head knot, whatever else is having the risk that the line will slide and escape off the clip.

    

Risk                                Safe            

 

 

This one is 40 x 20mm

 

 The FLAT CLAMP

 

It has been designed when I needed to fix Koinobori windsocks and rigs. It is used lonely, or assembled on the fixing bar of some rigs.

Use aluminium sheets which thickness is greater than the diameter of the biggest line to go with.. The two lugs have jags which width is large enough to receive two loops of the line.

File smoothly all edges and corners where the line will roll around.

 The BECOBROOX

having considered the fasteners that he was usually using for KAP, Brooks LEFFLER ended close to my clamp design. They are 56 x 19 mm. He got them manufactured, nicely shaped and colored.

For a safe use, and to secure them applying the above basic coiling rule, you must file down all edges smoothly. Do not use them as they are.

On the bottom image, smooth edges appears clear.

 

Brooks LEFFLER have devised this nice and self-explanatory word: Hangups.