American Kitefliers Association

howardbashant wrote:

I noticed several of responders recommended a small piece of sandpaper as an item.  I'm curious about that one.

Two reasons for sandpaper that I can think of:
1. If you have to cut a rod (carbon or fiberglass), the sandpaper can smooth out sharp edges.
2. If you need to glue something, the sandpaper can rough up the surface for better adhesion.

quincy wrote:

howardbashant wrote:

I noticed several of responders recommended a small piece of sandpaper as an item.  I'm curious about that one.

Two reasons for sandpaper that I can think of:
1. If you have to cut a rod (carbon or fiberglass), the sandpaper can smooth out sharp edges.
2. If you need to glue something, the sandpaper can rough up the surface for better adhesion.

Those are precisely my reasons for carrying it.

Speaking of needing ot cut a rod.  I generally carry a small "hack saw" you can get really small ones or even just a small blade with one end wrapped in some of the tape you have.   They work just fine for sizing either fiberglass or carbon.  Just be careful both about splinters and ruining a rod.

Oldgoat wrote:

Speaking of needing ot cut a rod.  I generally carry a small "hack saw" you can get really small ones or even just a small blade with one end wrapped in some of the tape you have.   They work just fine for sizing either fiberglass or carbon.  Just be careful both about splinters and ruining a rod.

That's why I started using the diamond-coated needle file instead of a blade -

- It's about as small and light to carry as can be.  I have the plastic body of a ball point pen as a sleeve, and just stick the file into that.

- It files down the edges as it cuts.  No splintering to worry about.

- It cuts through carbon and fiberglass fast.