In your spares kit bag you will find all the materials you need to create a tension belt. All of our wheels except for Sparrow use Kevlar for the tension which requires a sharp pair of scissors to cut. Listed below are instructions on how to create a tension belt for each Daedalus wheel. (FALCON instructions coming soon)
Martin & Starling Standard Flyer
Tension Belt Materials
Kevlar 1.5 mm
Spring
Cinch (3d printed)
Super Glue
Tie the length of spare Kevlar to the closed wire loop side of the spring. (A&B)
With sharp scissors, cut the excess off the belt. Hold excess taut across the blade of the scissors to aid with cutting. (C)
Measure 12 inches (300mm) overall length from the top of the spring and cut the kevlar using the same technique as above.
Apply a small amount of super glue (or beeswax) to this cut end to prevent fraying. When applying super glue, do so in between bits of paper towel to blot excess glue and lessen the chances of getting glue on your fingers. Then quickly roll the end firmly between your fingers to form the end into more of a point. Consider wearing rubber gloves to keep your fingers 100% glue-free. (D&E)
Install Cinch, as shown approximately 8.5 inches (215mm) from the top of the spring. You will need to fine-tune this length for your wheel so that there is minimal spring extension when in use.
Starling Lace Flyer
Tension Belt Materials
Kevlar 1 mm
Spring
Cinch (3d printed)
Super Glue
To create a Starling Ultra-Light Tension for the Starling Lace Flyer, use the same instructions as the Starling Standard Flyer, except use the 1.0 mm Kevlar, and instead of a spring you’ll tie on an elastic from your Starling Lace Flyer spares kit.
Sparrow Tension Belt
In your spares kit bag, you will find all the materials you need to create a tension belt. The Tension Belt is made of black rat tail, a nylon based cord. To more easily see the belt making steps, the instructions are depicting the Kevlar belt we use on our other wheels. Do not use Kevlar on your Sparrow as it can damage 3d printed whorls (flyer and older non-Aluminum drum Sparrow bobbins).
Tension Belt Materials
Rat tail 1.5 mm (Black)
Spring
Cinch (3d printed)
Super Glue
Tie the rat tail to the closed loop side of the spring. (A)
Pull tight with a small loop of rat tail remaining at the spring. (B)
With sharp scissors, cut the excess off the belt. Hold excess taut across the blade of the scissors to aid with cutting. (C)
Cut the belt so the overall length is 10 inches (250mm).
To prevent fraying, use a lighter to melt the ends of the belt. Alternatively, add a small amount of super glue to this cut end to prevent fraying. When applying super glue, do so in between bits of paper towel to blot excess glue and lessen the chances of getting glue on your fingers. Then quickly roll the end firmly between your fingers to form the end into more of a point. Consider wearing rubber gloves to keep your fingers 100% glue-free. (D&E)
Install Cinch, as shown approximately 7 inches (170mm) from the top of the spring. You will need to fine-tune this length for your wheel so that there is minimal spring extension when in use.
Magpie
Magpie Standard Flyer
Tension Belt Materials
Kevlar 1.5 mm
Spring
Cinch (3d printed)
Super Glue
Using pliers, take a spring and close up the “open” loop side of the spring. This will prevent anything from slipping off later. Now both ends of the spring should be closed loops. (A&B)
Using 4-5 inches of spare Kevlar or any other non-elastic cording, tie an approximately 2-inch loop on one end of the spring. This loop allows you to use the spring side on the left when spinning clockwise and on the right when spinning counterclockwise, and also helps keep the spring silent. (C&D)
With sharp scissors, cut the excess off the loop. Hold excess taut across the blade of the scissors to aid with cutting. (E)
Tie spare Kevlar onto the other closed loop end of the spring. Use sharp scissors to cut the excess and discard. (F-H)
Measure from the start of 2-inch loop and cut the tension belt so the overall length is 24 inches (600mm) and cut with sharp scissors.
Apply a small amount of super glue (or Beeswax) to this cut end to prevent fraying. When applying super glue, do so in between bits of paper towel to blot excess glue and lessen the chances of getting glue on your fingers. Then quickly roll the end firmly between your fingers to form the end into more of a point. Consider wearing rubber gloves to keep your fingers 100% glue-free. (I&J)
Install Cinch, as shown approximately 13 inches (325mm) from the top of the loop. You will need to fine-tune this length for your wheel so that there is minimal spring extension when in use.
Install the loop end of the tension belt onto the right side tension hook on the wheel. Drape up and over the bobbin’s aluminum brake drum, and then down and around the anchor cleat on the left side of the wheel.
Remove any slack as you thread the tension belt back through the other side of the Cinch. (K&L)
Magpie Art Flyer
Tension Belt Materials
Kevlar 1.5 mm
Spring (optional)
Cinch (3d printed)
Super Glue
Tie the spare Kevlar to form an approximately 2-inch diameter loop at one end.
With sharp scissors, cut the excess off the belt. Hold excess taut across the blade of the scissors to aid with cutting.
Measure from the start of the loop and cut the tension belt so the overall length is 24 inches (600mm).
Apply a small amount of super glue (or Beeswax) to this cut end to prevent fraying. When applying super glue, do so in between bits of paper towel to blot excess glue and lessen the chances of getting glue on your fingers. Then quickly roll the end firmly between your fingers to form the end into more of a point. Consider wearing rubber gloves to keep your fingers 100% glue-free. (I&J)
Install Cinch as shown, approximately 15 inches (375mm) from the top of the loop. You will need to fine-tune this length for your wheel so that there is minimal spring extension when in use.
Install the loop end of the tension belt onto the right side tension hook on the wheel. Drape up and over the bobbin’s aluminum brake drum, and then down and around the anchor cleat on the left side of the wheel.
Remove any slack as you thread the tension belt back through the other side of the Cinch. (K&L)
If you would like a lighter tension, you can create a tension belt with a spring, in the same fashion as the Standard tension belt.