making a quadcopter from scratch

[photojunky]

I think it's awesome that you are taking the initiative to do this on your own and just figure it out. That is the best way to approach it!

If I can give you one tip that might help save a few bucks, look into using G-10 fiberglass while you are still experimenting. This would be in place of the carbon fiber plates. It's nearly as strong and light and a LOT cheaper. Check out McMaster Car to find some, just search for G-10. It's also called Garrolite sometimes.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#grade-g-10-garolite/=142ye80

I just looked at that site you recommended. What thickness do you use, 3 / 16?

 

[Chalagi]

17 inch props will not fit a 500mm quad. 13 inch props are the biggest that will fit

 

[photojunky]

They fit. I am probably saying the measurements the wrong way. Each boom is 500 millimeters. The thing is almost 40 inches from boom to boom.

17 inch props will not fit a 500mm quad. 13 inch props are the biggest that will fit

 

[Chalagi]

That would make a really big difference

 

[photojunky]

Today, I received a 3 mm sheet of carbon fiber. Gotta love Amazon Prime. Tomorrow I will begin cutting and drilling. I will basically be using the 1 mm sheet as a template. The 3 mm sheet it far stiffer and should work much better. I will be using the two 1 mm sheets for the undercarriage. I cant decide if I am going to use Gorilla glue or resin epoxy to bond them together. The Gorilla expands and becomes almost like a hard foam. The Gorilla glue will hold but I am wondering if it will help cut down on vibration. I think I am going to rest the booms on a cork gasket and not carbon fiber on carbon fiber. Anyway, I feel a lot better about using the 3 mm carbon fiber sheet vs the 1 mm. When I am done we will take bets on whether or not it will fly.

 

[photojunky]

Well, I am moving right along but hit a snag. You would think if you pay $50 dollars or so for some motors and motor mounts, one of the two would come with the bolts to secure them together. Oh well, hopefully I will be able to find them in the states and not have to wait for the Chinese to ship them, of course they will be half price but I am in a hurry. I have not tightened the mounts yet as you can see in the photo.

 

[photojunky]

Or I could make a trip to the hardware store but would the bolts be of acceptable quality?

 

[coolbobjoe]

They have different grades of metals at the big box stores. Don't remember which way the scale goes but the hardware guy should know. I usually use their nylon lock nuts for prop nuts that NEVER come loose.

 

[Chalagi]

The screws you get here will be much better quality than what comes from China for sure

 

[photojunky]

I am slowly getting there. Here is part 2. Soon I will begin the soldering.

 

[coolbobjoe]

Looks like it's coming along nicely. Can't wait to see the finale

 

[photojunky]

Looks like it's coming along nicely. Can't wait to see the finale

I will have to start a will it or wont it fly thread.

 

[photojunky]

This is what it is going to look like, but first I am going to take it apart and use Loctite and all the bolts, and then start the wire harness.

 

[coolbobjoe]

How did this turn out?

 

[photojunky]

Unfortunately I took it apart prematurely I attempted to fly it several times but it kept flipping. Unfortunately the day after I took it apart i figured out what i had done wrong. The issue was programming ESC's. I posted explaining what is going on and what I did with it. Thanks for asking.http://www.dronevibes.com/forums/th...ailure-not-even-in-the-sky.36784/#post-234622

 

[photojunky]

.

 

[violetwolf]

This why encourage to keep all related info in one thread for readers convenience

 

[photojunky]

Check out my homemade quadcopter's first flight. Finally. Plan on doing some fine tuning with the way the carbon fiber tubes sit on one another, but am quite pleased with the first flight.