One of my steering lines has a big fuzzy spot on it probably snagged it on a sign or something. Is braiding it back into itself with the fixmykite micro hook braiding tool as reliable as getting a new line? The lines are perfect other than that.

http://www.fixmykite.com/proddetail.asp?prod=fmk_micro_hook

No idea. I've never tried to fix these, but if a part of the line it cut I'd bu surprised if tucking back in does anything beyond cosmetics. so long as you are not jumping, I'd just fly it until it breaks. If it's a power line then when it snaps your kite will spin until you can get on the brakes. If it's a break line you'll need to bring your kite to the side of the window then break with the good line. my 1c.

Thanks arkay, braiding is not just tucking it back in but rather cutting the line completely and weaving the two lines back together leaving a shorter but solid line. They include a pigtail with it so you can make up for the lost length.

Has anyone had a positive or negative experience repairing lines with this?

Is it the actual line or the sleeving on one of the line ends?

Pictures would help.

If it is the sleeving, it would not be bad to replace it, as it will also give you a chance to see if there was any damage to the line underneath.

If it's actually the line that was snagged and fuzzed, was it far enough toward either line end that you could snip, equalize, and re-sleeve the line without losing too much length?

The downside to flying with minimal repairs until the line snaps is that you have no control over when or under what circumstances that will happen.... near trees, power lines, civilians, etc. Pennywise and all that...

ATB,
Sam

I did this with a set of lines when I broke the power on a 3.5m kite. It worked but I had a question the core of the line,it needs to be pulled tight and needs to remain the basic strength of the line. This applys to larger string/rope also.
Nice temporary repair, but dont think I would forget about replacing the line.

good point, the only thing I usually have to worry about as far as the eye can see is a stray log.

yeah I only used it for a couple of sessions like that because it was either that or nothing... so I told myself to immediately release the safety if the line snapped to avoid an unintended kiteloop.

I'll add pictures later tonight but it is toward the center of the line so cutting all lines down a bit is not possible.

I would think that strength-wise, cutting the line and braiding the two pieces together would reduce the strength of the line (compared to original) in a similar way as a figure of 8 knot would. Not as much as a simple knot because the lines aren't bent as much.

I don't think slingshot sells just one line...

No matter what you do you'll decrease the line strength and likely the splice will no have the same slippery sleeve properties for twists so it will depend where the break is. if this is a depower then I'd replace it.

right click > view image for much larger high def pictures.

Anyone that used the braiding tool that can share their experience? The video tutorial makes it seem pretty strong. I know the best bet would be to replace the line but that is still a bet so far as we all are assuming the braiding tool method isn´t just as good as a new line. It would be great if someone with experience could chime in.

I might give it a shot and hang from it with a buddy to see how well holds 350lbs. The best rope joins are done in this same way so it might even be stronger than the rope itself since there is twice as much rope at the join. But I am no rope expert.

braiding tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiRAnSo_V_o

Quote:

Originally posted by arkay No idea. I've never tried to fix these, but if a part of the line it cut I'd bu surprised if tucking back in does anything beyond cosmetics. so long as you are not jumping, I'd just fly it until it breaks. If it's a power line then when it snaps your kite will spin until you can get on the brakes. If it's a break line you'll need to bring your kite to the side of the window then break with the good line. my 1c.

That's a tough break if you break your brake lines!

Of course you know that doing this will shorten that line. You will have to make that up somehow. Either by shortening the other 3 or when attaching the lines to the kite .