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Flying Line, Anchors and Hardware If you fly a lot of kites, chances are you already have line, swivels and anchor hardware. But if you don't, or if you need something new, here is what we use. |
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Anchors: Straps | Sand Anchors | Spikes Flying Line: Heavy Line | Premium Heavy Line | Line Spools | Light Line | Line Winders Bags: Wonder Bags | Scramble Bags | Compression Bags | Stuff Sacks Poles and Accessories: Tellescopic | WindStinger | TourMaster | Stake Clothing: Gom-Ware Pullovers | "Serious Kiter Caps | Other Clothing | Pins & Patches Flying Tips: Laundry Attachments | The Larkshead Knot | Line on Rings | Anchor Spikes Frequently Asked Questions |
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Flying Line for Larger Kites:
Quality flying line can seem expensive. But when you consider the cost of quality kites, paying a few dollars for the right equipment to fly them is a small and worthwhile investment. |
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Heavy Line for Big Kites: For larger kites, we like a line we can put our hands on. The diameter may be a bit thicker, but big kites can usually lift it and overcome any drag without a problem. This line also has a little stretch. Normally, that's not what you want. But with big kites, a bit of flexibility will keep a gust from pulling your anchor out.
Our heavy line has a twisted nylon core and a black polyester cover. It is tough, wear-resistant, attractive, and economical. |
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Rather then pack hard line winders, we store and transport our heavier lines in fabric bags. Stuff it in after a day of flying and you'll be surprised how easily it comes out next time. Plus, these stuff sacks pack into the same soft bags as our kites without any problem. A fabric bag is included with each heavy line purchase. Line comes in 300 foot spools. The price listed is 25% off the suggested retail price. We provide this discount when you buy line with a kite, or for a kite you have purchased from us in the past six months. |
| Strength | Diameter | Lbs per 100 ft | Price |
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500 lbs |
3mm |
.55 |
$45 |
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750 lbs |
4mm |
.77 |
$54 |
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1200 lbs |
5mm |
1.23 |
$71 |
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1800 lbs |
6mm |
2.02 |
$100 |
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2500 lbs |
7mm |
2.62 |
$125 |
| Longer lengths are available on a special order basis, although we don't really recommend flying large kites highter than 300 feet. |
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Premium Heavy Flying Line: One of the problems with heavy duty flying line is that it is .... heavy. Three hundred feet of 2500 pound line weighs nearly eight pounds. And that can add up when you travel to festivals in airplanes like we often do. For that reason, we are starting to carry a more expensive line that is thinner and lighter for its strength.
Specton is a 12-strand single braided rope made from 100% HMWPE (high molecular weight polyethylene). We carry 1/8 and 3/16 inch stuff with a working strength of 1,800 and 3,800 pounds respecively. They weigh one-fourth the weight of dacron line in the same strength. |
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Here is what the manufacturer says:
Spectron, like the lighter spectra lines you use for sport kites, is spendy. The 1,800 pound is 40 cents a foot and the 3,800 pound is 65 cents. We'll cut any length you want. So for 100 feet, they are $40 and $65 respectively. That's about 30% off the list price. |
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Looking for a quick and effective way to attach the flying line to the kite? Use a larkshead! Just tie a loop in the end of the flying line. Double the loop over itself, slide that over a knot at the end of the kite's bridle, and snug it down. Line tension will keep the larkshead tight until you are ready to remove it. |
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Once you get the hang of this simple knot, you'll find it indispensable for connecting your flying line, attaching laundry to "pigtails" and anchoring. For more photos and information, click here. |
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Lighter Flying Line: For what most people call "normal" kites -- ones that require less then 500 pound line -- we use a black dacron line. The lightly waxed finish is easier to handle and the hollow braid can easily be spliced back together in the case of a cut or break.
We prefer the dark color because it repels dirt, is easier to see in the sky, and because, well, because we like it... Again, the price listed is 15% off the suggested retail price. We provide this discount when you buy line with a kite, or for a kite you have purchased from us in the past six months. |
| Strength | 500 feet | 1000 feet | 3000 feet |
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100 lbs |
$17 |
$34 |
$102 |
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200 lbs |
$27.50 |
$55 |
$165 |
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300 lbs |
$30 |
$60 |
$180 |
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Anchors and Hardware:
A good strap and a strong carabiner are essential accessories for every large kite. You can easily tie off to trees, bumpers, fences, or ground stakes. And if you are forced to move, holding the strap is much easier then hanging onto the flying line. |
Click here for information on how to place an order.
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Large Carabiners: We also have the larger biners, Omega oval carabiner rated at over 4000 pounds. Use them with sand anchors or other hardware. $7.00 each. |
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We've seen all kinds of tricks used to attach laundry to a flying line. Most involve knots which cause abrasion and weaken line strength. Our approach is a lot more simple. |
| Swivels: If something turns or spins, it needs a swivel. If it doesn't, then don't bother with extra hardware. |
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For fast turning pieces like Parachutes and Spiked Bols or Baskets, we recommend Sampo Ballbearing Swivels. They are smooth, tough, and don't wear out. We use the double-ring style which we find stronger than the wire snap. The rings are just the right size for Mini Carabiners. Sampo are a bit more expensive, but will pay for themselves over a long working lifespan. Your cost is 3 for $10 on the 500 pound and 4 for $10 on the 300 pound |
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Our pulley handles line of up to 1/2 thickness. Sideplates are anodized aluminum with a steel axle and a nylon sheave. Each pulley is rated to 5,000 pounds. We sell them for $15 each. |
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They are a bit spendy at $16 each, but it's worth having one around. Besides, they never fail to impress the amateurs... |
Click here for information on how to place an order.
| Sand Anchors: You arrive on the beach ready to fly, look around, and there isn't anything in sight to tie off to. What to do?? |
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Simple. Just pull one of our sand anchors out of your bag. This ingenious Australian design is a square meter of fabric with straps sewn into it. You dig a hole in the sand, lay the fabric in the hole, fill the sand back in, and then connect your kite to the straps with a carabiner. We sell the large anchors for $12 each. Or you can make your own. Use different size "biners" depending on the size of your kites.
Click here for more instructions on how to use sand anchors. Smaller anchors will hold kites that pull up to 50 pounds. Larger anchors will hold larger kites, up to and including the giants if you follow the instructions we've included. |
Click on the photo for a schematic. |
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For hard ground, use solid metal stakes. Check your hardware store for re-bar or construction spikes. |
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Make sure you set your anchor spikes deep into the ground. And remember to tie-off low on the spike. Otherwise the kite will pull your spike loose and create a dangerous situation. |
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Storage and Travel Bags:
Big kites need big bags. But you don't want to spend a bunch of money on bags so check this out. |
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Wonder Bags: Our big duffels are big enough to hold just about anything! These big kite duffels are a huge 40 inches long. They hold a full-size Peter Lynn giant, a disassembled buggy, or enough assorted kites, laundry, and line that you easily go over the airline weight restrictions. And now we see that they will even hold your wife! Click here for a better photo of the bag. |
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| Wonder Bags are absolutely the biggest bags the airlines allow. Your price?? Just -- $25! (Wife not included.) |
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Stuff Sacks: Use them for kites, cram them full of laundry, or store your line in them for easy transport and access -- our stuff sacks are simple and indispensable Bags are in tough nylon fabric with a round bottom. They include a drawstring and plastic toggle-lock. We also have longer bags, which are great for poles, spars, or longer kites. |
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Compression Stuff Bags: Fill it full of fabric and then cinch it down to maximize valuable packing space. Our 13 by 30 inch Compression Bags are just the right size for a 252 Flowform or a Peter Lynn Mid Size. They will also hold a lot of laundry or even a sleeping bag.
This is a top-stuffing bag with a zippered closure. Side straps pull the top and bottom together for maximum compression. They come in black or black-- what a surprise! Your cost is $30 which may seem like a lot until you check what REI or Camping Depot is charging. |
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Click here for information on how to place an order.
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Banner Poles and Accessories: Gomberg Kites offers the complete line of banner and windsock display systems. These are not fishing poles with a "sensitive" (ie. flimsy) tip that will break off in the wind or puncture your banner. Our award winning poles were specifically designed for display and banner applications. When selecting a display system, you should first consider what you want to do with it. Some poles are designed for convenience and portability. Some are designed for durable long-term commercial displays. Stronger poles are heavier and more expensive than lighter ones. And of course, we have a selection to meet any of these conditions and applications.
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Heavy Duty Telescopic Poles GKPI stocks a thick-walled, telescopic pole in 16, 28, and 31 foot lengths. If you need to display windsocks, or put a smaller kite on static display, this is the tool to use. And it still collapses to 45 inches. Priced at $30, $50 and $60 retail plus $9 for an anchor stake. The heavy duty pole has a wider, 2 inch base, multiple extending sections, and a flat black matte finish. To extend the pole, simply remove the end cap and tilt the pole down so all the sections slide out. Kite line can easily be stored on the pole when wound around the two firmly attached brass clips.
For more details and specifications on all our poles, check our Poles and Display System Pages. |
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The 16.5 foot tall WindStinger™ modular fiberglass pole is designed for long-term display and commercial applications. It was named the best new product of 2007 by the Kite Trade Association International. $75 retail or $84 with anchor stake. The "Stinger" is a heavy-duty commercial banner pole featuring our exclusive modular stacking assembly. This pole cannot collapse even during extended use and there are no pesky caps and plugs to keep track of! Each section is numbered for fool proof assembly. WindStingers are more rigid and better suited to permanent banner or windsock display. It is specifically sized to hold a Windfeather Banners Add an optional extension section to stretch the WindStinger to 20 feet! Stinger Exrtenstions are $15.
For more details and specifications on all our poles, check our Poles and Display System Pages. |
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The 16.5 foot tall WindRuler™ modular fiberglass pole is designed for recreational banner displays and commercial applications. It was named the best new product of 2007 by the Kite Trade Association International. $75 retail or $84 with anchor stake. The "Ruler" is a heavy duty banner pole featuring our exclusive modular stacking assembly. This pole cannot collapse even during extended use and there are no pesky caps and plugs to keep track of! Each section is numbered for fool proof assembly. WindRulers are more flexible and better suited to recreational banner or windsock display. It is specifically sized to hold a Windfeather Banners
For more details and specifications on all our poles, check our Poles and Display System Pages. |
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Banner Stakes: Many people use rebar to anchor their banners. And that's why their poles break. The metal edges rub the inside of the pole and weakens it. And the metal doesn't flex in the wind. The preferred way to anchor your poles is with lighter weight, flexible and clean fiberglass stakes. $9 retail. The Get In the Wind stake is a 42 inch solid 1/2 inch diameter fiberglass pole. Buy them in a set with your poles or buy them separately for $9 each. |
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GKPI Poles and Accessories
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Click here for information on how to place an order.
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Clothing, Window Stickers, and Accessories:
We'll admit it. Seeing someone sporting our well-worn name on the field gives us a special thrill. So in order to encourage just that, we've produced the very best kite clothing we could find and then offered it to you at our cost. And keep in mind, you never know what kind of discount you may get on other stuff if you make a habit of wearing our colors... |
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Are you a serious kiteflier?? For the past year, we've been sending out hats when people buy big kites. These brushed twill caps are a Gomberg exclusive. And to prove it, we put our web address on the back. We normally sell them for $20, but you can have one for ten bucks if you have bought anything from us in the past year (or buy something now!) A seriously good deal! |
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We've finally got patches and pins. Cool!! Wear them on your hat, your jacket, or sewn to your kite bag. The embroidered patches are 3 inches and the cloisonné pins are one-and-a-eighth inches. You can have either for $5. |
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Other Clothing, and Accessories: In cooperation with CafePress, GKPI is now offfering a collection of clothing, tote bags, mugs, window stickers, and cards. You can even order GKPI boxer shorts! Click on any of the images to see our entire product line.
Please note that these products are ordered direct from CafePress and not us. And if you are interested in a line of your own shirts, CafePress can do it for you too. They make them one-at-a-time so you don't have to pay for inventory. Please be sure to list GombergKites so we get credit for referring you. Oh -- and if you buy a Window Sticker for $2.50, send us a picture of it on your car and we'll give you a $5 credit on your next kite or laundry purchase. |
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