The humble ground stake

[Reef Runner]

I fly no matter what...except for pouring rain, anyway. Last January we had -35f and I was out flying in that...lol

BTW...the photo I took was just before the superbowl...that is my NO Saints kite...

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I picked up one of those stakes at the local Lowe's store, yesterday. Pretty neat idea, and I'll be trying it out on the beach, this summer. You may have picked up on the idea that, I don't particularly enjoy cold weather kiting. If so, you would be correct. I don't know how you do it, in the temperatures that you experience, there in Alaska.

Anyway, just a suggestion. It might make it easier, getting the tops of your handles, through the loops on the plastic stake, if you would remove those metal rings, from your rev handles...............might want to take a look at the post (link), that I have listed below.

In the post, I am replying to another member, concerning my experiences in making these modifications. The modification is really quite simple to do, especially if you are the least bit handy, with tools, etc. And on top of that, they are a real "no brainer", resulting in a really neat set-up. I've got some photos attached to the link, which show a few of my finished products. I modified 3 or 4 sets that day, and it probably took less than an hour, maybe an hour and a half, just depending how particular you are, and how big a hurry you are in. Being retired, I've got all day to tinker.

Also, as for this modification, I do mention that this was NOT my idea, and I surely CAN NOT take credit. I got the idea from "Watty" Watson, who was kind enough to make me a video, showing me the process. You may be familiar with Watty. If not, he's pretty accomplished at this rev flying, to say the very least. He's got numerous videos on YouTube (i.e. Windy with Watty, Windless with Watty, etc), which I'm sure you have run across, already. If not, just Google Watty under YouTube and sit back....

Anyway, should you decide to read my post, in the link below, I have included, in addition to my photos, a link to Watty's video. Take a look. It'll make a good project for you, on some of those long winter nights, up there in cold country...................You must have some really good gloves, if you fly in below zero temps, is all that I can say.

OH, and if you should want to reply or comment on the handle modification subject, you probably ought to do it over there, "under that topic", which I believe is found in the forums - General Support - Set-up/Assembly - "Homemade Handles" (we are probably getting a little off subject, here in the "Ground Stake" topic)

Good Luck and happy flights.......& keep warm........... (see link below)

http://www.revkites....dpost__p__62434

[big bri]

I beleive i hold the worlds record for making kites stakes,for none commercial use or personal gain.....Ho Yeh,its true.

I turned two full sets of snooker balls into all nice and shiney 14 inch stainless steel stakes.They weighed a bit though,plus a few spare balls they had for Billiards got drilled also .I bought the balls from a Social/labour club that was closing down some years ago in Keighly,Yorkshire.I sprayed most of them Day Glow Pink,Green and Orange.Used them to mark our lines and kites when ther at rest.

Total =62 stakes made

I also made Fifty stakes to give as momentoes at our recent gathering at Ainsdale.Along with sleeves to put the stake in and hang from your belt.Some which i had embroidered with slogans[kite God at work][The Gathering 2010][pie quad]that sorta stuff.I used Hard Foam balls for the tops.Ther lite weight and in all diffrent patterns and coulors.They looked kewl.I also bought every knitting needle within a 200mile radius of Wigan.From Charity Shops and similar good causes,to make the stake or sharp ends.Aluminium ones are best,but any were used.Some great,some not so great

Total =50 stakes made

I made 6 team stakes with flashing eyeballs as presents for my pals.

Total =6 stakes made

I made about 10 novelty ones.A pie on a stick,chicken on a stick,burger on a stick and a Tazmanian Devil on a stick.Which is now our mascot

Total = 10 stakes made

I also have a few golfball ones,tent pegs ive messed with and a Revolutionary one.Which has two lengths of steel[12mm dia]12 inch long that i made and gave to my pals.They work great in sand or soft ground.When its been wet

Total = 18 stakes made

GRAND TOTAL =146 stakes made,give or take a few

Anyone stake making crazier than that.I hope ther is.

BRIAN...

[syntaks]

Nice photos. I also set up leading edge up. I just kick the bottom tips in a little and they've never slipped enough to self launch.

I got it! I dug out my neglected ground stake and tested it. Pic below. It's a studio pic without the rugged panache of the frozen north, but it fits just fine. Incidentally, how do you keep your hands from freezing at anything below zero, much less 35?) This stake idea is the first really new thing I've seen on this tread, though there are some BEAUTIFUL standard stakes in here.

Your stake got me thinking. Why not rotate the holes and have the handles stand upright. I made the stake shown below in about 20 minutes out of ultra-high density polyethylene 1/8" sheet. The shaft is a painted arrow. It's not ready for prime time, but I like the concept and will work on it. I like not laying to handles in the mud and snow. Thanks for the innovation.

The base of the cone keeps the handles from laying in the snow. The one idea you had is good. I had to look close to realize there were slots in it for the lines. That's the main reason for not using a screwdriver pounded into the ice ... well, that's not quite true...the MAIN reason is not wanting to have to pound the thing into the ice.

The trick on flying in the Winter is having a place you can fly next to your vehicle, so you can fly for a bit, then hop in and warm up. I wear decent gloves. Syn has to bundle up a bit more because she doesn't have as much natural insulation as I do. I keep teasing her that it's her choice to live here and she always looks cold. My trick is fly for 10-15 minutes, warm up, and repeat. I fly at a church that has a soccer field so I can park 5 feet away from my handles. That always helps. I used to fly in their back parking lot but there's no one to see it back there, so it's not as much fun. It's kinda funny. Now they have made me the watchman because I'm pretty much here all day anyway. They call me if I don't show up for more than a day. I guess it shows how pathetic I am, lol. I really don't have anything better to do, since I hate sitting at home watching TV. But it gets people's attention and every once in awhile I get to impress one of the kids here, so it is better than nothing.

--TaK

[big bri]

Putting two balls at the top of the stake.Will allow your leaders to wrap between the balls them and hold the handles off the surface.The lower ball,stops the leaders sliding down and the handles following them

BRIAN...

[cordover]

I like the two ball idea. I'll try it. I have some firm foam (nerf) balls that are a little "catch-y" so the string would cling nicely. Light, too, as Brian suggests.

The slot in the front of the holes on my design were originally to pass a line through as I slid the rod down from the top. Then I found that I could snap the lower part of the handle into the hole in the plastic piece from the side and not mess with the line at all. Snap the handle in, it stands upright with the lines facing forward. Just grab them and snap them out with a little twist of the wrist. Not perfect yet, as they list a little to the side. Maybe slots cut into the sides of nerf balls would hold them up better. Working on it.

It sounds like flying is more than just physical therapy for SynTaks, and maybe stake-making soothes the savage beast for Big Bri. 146 is a lot of stakes! What interests me now is a new design. "Build a better stake and the world will beat a path to your door" Maybe make one with a better mousetrap and they'll beat two paths.

[BillLamm]

"Build a better stake and the world will beat a path to your door" Maybe make one with a better mousetrap and they'll beat two paths.

better get a "keep off the grass" sign....

[cordover]

Putting two balls at the top of the stake.Will allow your leaders to wrap between the balls them and hold the handles off the surface.The lower ball,stops the leaders sliding down and the handles following them

BRIAN...

Do you have some special trick for drilling the hole in the dead center or the sphere?

[Chook]

Yeh but only if you have a drill press. Clamp a flat piece of wood to the press table and use a large drill bit to start a hole. Drill just deep enough, so it's the full size/diameter of the bit or slightly more. Remove this drill bit and replace with the shaft size drill you need and pop your sphere on the hole and away you go. Set your depth stop and jobs done.

I do dice the same way by just sitting them their corner.

Keep smilin' Chook

[cordover]

Thanks. I made up a block with a big hole in it to set a golf ball in, but had trouble recentering it. I can't believe I never thought of just drilling a new one each time with the drill press locked into position. Good on you.

[LS Kite Stakes]

[cordover]

Man! Those are beautiful. I've always meant to ask, are the cups hollow or are the top surfaces machined to match the curve of the marble? What do you use to glue them in place? Marbles are glass or acrylic? These marble stakes are what I meant about some stakes being real works of art and craftsmanship.

[LS Kite Stakes]

Man! Those are beautiful. I've always meant to ask, are the cups hollow or are the top surfaces machined to match the curve of the marble? What do you use to glue them in place? Marbles are glass or acrylic? These marble stakes are what I meant about some stakes being real works of art and craftsmanship.

The cups are machined to match the curve of the marble. The marbles are glass, and are bonded on with a top secret epoxy called JB Weld.

My kite accessory biz is only a hobby business, it helps me to be able to go to some of the local festivals, and occasionally pays a couple bills.

Edited February 12, 2010 by RS67Man

[cordover]

I checked out the JB Weld site. Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing the name. Your stakes are nice enough that they would make nice birthday or x-mas presents (hint to wife and not a bad marketing idea).

[Aerochic]

Hey Walt... This seems like a good opportunity to develop some kind of winter ground stake... ;D

[flyinken]

I'm currently working on a prototype of something that is attached to a stake that is already owned. (like the winderfull one I bought from you C.)

Picture will be soon.

Ken

[Aerochic]

I'm currently working on a prototype of something that is attached to a stake that is already owned. (like the winderfull one I bought from you C.)

Picture will be soon.

Ken

Cool! I'll be interested to see what you came up with. I'm really glad that you're enjoying the stake as well! They're not as sexy as Walt's but I like them. I just finished another batch recently. I have to get them up on my website...

[cordover]

My favorite "icy ground" kite stake. It's an 8" spike, the like of which any hardware store carries to bang together rail retaining walls. I put the bend in it, but since found that the head of the spike is enough. It came by the dirt on the shaft honestly. Around here you have to bring little mallet or find a rock.

[kitefantex]

Mitch

Where do you fly in St Louis? I have a son there and will be stopping in there at the end of April on the way home to Ohio.

[syntaks]

My favorite "icy ground" kite stake. It's an 8" spike, the like of which any hardware store carries to bang together rail retaining walls. I put the bend in it, but since found that the head of the spike is enough. It came by the dirt on the shaft honestly. Around here you have to bring little mallet or find a rock.

That actually makes me think of something else we usually carry around when the ground has thawed. Its over in the rebar section and they use it in concrete and surveying, but its 1/2" diameter steel and has small holes drilled through it every inch or so. Worked great for a stake for a flag pole. Some of the single line guys figured out how to attach a beaner to it for an anchor. I've used screwdrivers in the same way as your railroad spike too. Oh, something else in the rebar section you might find useful, a rebar cap. Its a bright orange piece of plastic that fits over the rebar that sticks up out of concrete that might be handy to protect the top of your spike and make it visible.

[pwmeek]

I find these useful for windy days.

The regular stakes are drill-press handles threaded onto 12" spikes with a 5/16-18 thread cut onto the end. The "T"s are 1.5" x 1.5" structural aluminum t-section. Very handy in loose soil, but you need a sledge to get them into hard turf.

[awindofchange]

Pete,

Welcome to the forum! The aluminum stakes look very interesting. Do you use the hook to hook onto the handles?

[pwmeek]

Do you use the hook to hook onto the handles?

It hooks to almost anything. (I confess to flying more than my 1989 vintage Rev.) There are some pics in my Gallery (1984 - pre-Rev.)

It's been about 18 years since I did any serious amount of flying, but I think I may see my way to getting some air time in the foreseeable future.

Edited October 15, 2010 by --Pete

[cordover]

I mostly fly on turf in parks and so on. I've taken to using multiple stakes. When I'm flying revs, I put down my bag and plant two stakes about 3 feet apart. a handle goes over each. I find fewer tangles and can separate twists easier with the handles separated. I just leave them there. Bright orange golf ball or painted wine bottle cork, or whatever is on top of the stake. It's my home base and easy to find. Then I carry around a 6 or 7 inch piece of carbon fiber tube with a nurf ball (firm foam ball used in kid's toy guns) on the end. They come in findable colors. I've plugged the hold in the sharp end with epoxy and filed it at an angle. It weighs virtually nothing, is not very sharp and fits nicely in my pocket or stuck in my belt without any kind of scabbard. I use this to stake if I'm far from "base" or, more usually, for the walk of shame. It can't poke a hole in my pocket (or the parts of me that are next to my pocket), and is always where I need it. It's the only one I use when I'm flying duelies...like my new Prism Zephyr. Thank you Kent. Wouldn't hold against a gale, but heck...this is St. Louis.

[Madquad]

Received my new stake/sleeve today , very nice piece of work.

Thanks Walt.

[Remco de Beijer]

Very nice Marc