Blog: Build your own Hangglider and Paraglider Winch
Design of drum
The drum is made from an Ø120/Ø104 aluminum pipe,
EN AW-6082.
We have tested different materials but finally selected an 8 mm aluminum pipe in the EN AW-6082 alloy.
2 mm stainless steel is too weak due to the high radial forces.
A 5 mm carbon pipe is unsuitable for this purpose and tends to crack.
Steel is often only available in thicker wall dimensions and would be too heavy.
Therefore, the 6082 aluminum alloy is a good choice to achieve a low-inertia drum, and it is also readily available.
The flanges at both ends are made from a modified HTD 8M, 50-tooth belt pulley from Aliexpress.
This only requires basic skills and simple tools on a lathe.
With a Ø120 × 1000 mm drum, you can easily handle more than 1500 meters of wire.