REEL with crossed bars

 This crossed bars reel or CB reel is very simple to make and cheap.  It was designed when I was searching for reels simpler and stronger than the plastic D-shape and yo-yo winders. The aim was to provide cheap reels to some groups making and flying kites of medium size, between 0,5 to 1,5 m²

Fabrication

With basic and manual tools, saw, wood rasp, sand paper, drill, this reel is easy to make.

The material is pine planed cleat of rectangular section 9x38 mm.  It is cheap and strong. A length of 2 meters lets make 4 reels and the cost is less than 5 €.

The instructions are on the drawing, click on the image. Print it on A4 sheet and the outline can be copied at the true scale.

 

The handing loop is a stripe 15 mm width and 44 cm long. Make a knot with both ends, then insert in the hole at the lower of the handle.

Mounting the line

At the end of the line, run a long loop ~20 cm, drag it through the center hole, drive the loop around a horn, tie it and wind up.

To avoid the twisting of the line, change the rotation or make eights during winding up.

The reel can contain 50 to 150 meters depending on the size of the line.

It is advised to put the hand through the loop when flying a kite.

To stop the line, put it through the lateral slit.