8 replies to this topic

[ahofer]

My 'Revopolo' is very tight across the leading edge, and the rod end is fraying. Should I just coat it with a little epoxy?

[Watty]

My 'Revopolo' is very tight across the leading edge, and the rod end is fraying. Should I just coat it with a little epoxy?

Are you saying that the fabric on the end of the leading edge is fraying, or that the end of the rod itself is splintering? If the fabric is fraying, take a small flame or a soldering iron to the edge of the fabric to cauterize the fabric. If the rod is splintering, use tape and or epoxy to try and keep it held together.

[ahofer]

the rod, in this case. Thanks.

[JasonOsteo]

Maybe loosening the LE cap bungies would take some strain off?

[REVflyer]

A splintered stick probably originates from sand abrasives in-between the cap and tubes,
... a deep scratch becomes a splinter, which becomes a crack and eventually total frame failure follows shortly thereafter.

[stroke survivor]

I've pretty much eliminated sand problems by using "o" rings at the edge of the cap to keep the sand out!! Works great, doesn't add weight, and makes takedown a breeze!!! I use 4 rings total, 2 on the bottoms of the verts, 2 for the LE!! Take both a race rod and a 3 wrap stick with you, they use different sizes!!

[Reef Runner]

I'm sure that Wayne's O-ring method works perfectly, because he has told me so. As another alternative, I began using short (1/4") pieces of silicon, surgical tubing, to keep out the sand. Get the right size, and one size fits all.............there was some extensive discussion, concerning keeping sand out of end caps, in a previous thread.........should this be part of your problem.

Take a look: http://www.revkites....dpost__p__70320

As for repair..........I have repaired, minor split and/or frayed ends, of SkyShark tubing, and a couple of Rev rods, by dipping the split and/or frayed end, into some quick setting, 2 part epoxy. Immediately after dipping the end of the rod, into the pool of epoxy, I used a tooth pick, to spread a small amount into the "particularly bad" crack, or split. Then I allowed the epoxied rod, to set-up overnight, preferably hanging in the vertical position, with the repaired end hanging down. One other thing to consider, is that after you repair a rod, the repaired end, will have to remain as an outer end, on your LE, or be used as a vertical rod, from now on. Once you dip the end of the rod, into the epoxy, and it sets up, you won't be able to slide a ferrule (as in the center LE section), into that end of the rod ! This really shouldn't present a problem, though, but something to keep in mind. Hope that makes sense.....................

[RevWizard]

Take a look: http://www.revkites....dpost__p__70320

What I said early in the above thread still stands. Please follow the steps to ensure that you do not have sand in the rods before you connect the end caps.
I have been using silicon tube tube since around 1993 to keep the sand out.
The only thing I don't like about the silicon is that very fine sand tends to stick on the outside of the silicone tube. You can brush that off.

[Reef Runner]

Aye John, no argument from me, just a slightly different approach, I suppose...............thanks for the reminder about clearing the LE sleeve, and the LE spars, of sand. I forgot to mention that.............................