X8 Build Mods

Hi All

Just thought I would share my build mods of my x8, there are many build threads on the web, so I only want to share places where I deviated from the standard build. Just a few cool-ish ideas that Gustav and I came up with.

Please feel free to share your innovations as well.

Mod #1 : Winglets

I wanted to make the the winglets really easy to remove, but still attach firmly, so I did the following :

3690958621?profile=originalI took the magnets out of a 2832 brushless motor, they are REALLY strong, and marked the wood ends with the size of the magnet, and cut out the bit where the magnet goes. I did this AFTER the  wood was glued on, but it will be much easier if you do this before gluing it to the winglet.

I then Glued the magnet in place with foam safe CA. make SURE of the magnet orientation before gluing them!.

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Do the same on the wing side, CHECK magnet polarity, and that the magnets line up nicely.

I drilled the screw holes to 3mm, and glued 3mm carbon rod pieces into the winglets, to serve as locating pins. I then covered the winlets with fluorescent Ultracote, you can use vinyl as well.

This works really well, and they hold on just fine. Nice solid connection. Easy on, easy off!

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  • Had a few flights with my X8 now. Canopy always pops of at high throttle, angles of attack or high speed.  I think I will replace the front two hatch magnets with velcro.

    I have the servos on the underside...so far they seem unscathed but I'm still sceptical.

    Nearly everything has been attached with a hot glue gun and is holding well!

    A few bits of duct tape for longevity of leading edges, and as the hinges working well too.

    Pics on my diydrones profile (click my picture <--- )

    Happy flying!

  • 3692523440?profile=original

    3692523658?profile=originalJust some pics from the weekend. Now Fitting the APM for longer missions...

  • geoffrey on the ant placement i was wanting to put a v ant. on apm mav link 900 have spiroNet 5.8 video 2.4 on control  but wanted to spread out as much as i can,on #2 going DL 433(i think) on control 1.3 video both V ant. 1 on each wing tip,one plane is 4s one is 3s,are u going to make yours with the copper strip?if so put up some pics and let me know how it works,and have not flown(X8) much got a new hex with naza & gps still working on apm hex and yea got a little swift to play with you can go vertical to the clouds but not for very long

  •  http://www.ezfpv.com/?page_id=157    going to put these on wing tips & belly

  • i used velcro instead of the wood tabs on the hatch and with the tongue in the frount you can bareley get if off

  • Hi Wessie.

    Thanks for sharing your ideas. Are you using the removable wing lets for space/storage considerations? Thanks again.

    Tim

  • Mod #5 : Visibility

    Plan to fly this thing really far, and really high at times. Needs to be SUPER visible.

    Down to the local signage supply shop, and got some nice flourescent red and green and chrome.

    This bird has some serious compund curves.  Her'es a tip: Applying vinyl on curved surfaces takes 2 people, 4 hands, and your wife's hair drier.  As you can see I my attempt to pre-cut a larger piece and then applying it failed, but once I applied some heat it was easy. I'm sure I can do it all again MUCH neater..

    3692504194?profile=original

    Once I got the hang of it, it became fun, so I went a bit OTT. Make sure you cover everything towards the rear one colour, and everything towards the front a different colour, that will make sure your orientation is not compromised at extreme distances.

    Currently she's so bright I have to wear shades in bright sunlight!!

    3692504248?profile=original

    3692504278?profile=original

    More mods to follow...

  • i used 2 sided tape fiber tape over the servos leading edges of the wings thin wood and tape on alirons more tape on the bottom thinking about cutting off the camera bulge on the bottom also

  • Mod #4 :  Servo Installation

    Need to protect the Servos against snagging when landing. They ARE lifted off the ground by the bulky fuse, but better safe..

    You can cut a slit right through the wing, and using longer arms have the Elevon pushrods running on the top of the wing.   You then simply cut the "ears" off a std JR 591 or similar servo and it will fit perfectly in the hole provided. stick it down with strong double sided tape, and then cover with cross weave fibre packaging tape.

    -OR-

    What I did was to use some nifty hard plastic wing servo covers.

    3692504217?profile=original

    The servo mounts directly to the cover and after you have cut some foam away to fit, it drops into place.

    3692504254?profile=original

    These covers normally screw down into balsa blocks in the wing, so I used a 5mm drill bit to make holes (NOT all the way through!!), into which I glued some wooden dowel pieces. After trimming the wood flish with the surface of the wing, the screws will now nicely screw down.

    3692504178?profile=originalI also wanted some better way of attaching the Elevon Control horn.  I got some really nice Carbon look Vinyl, and covered the Elevons, then used the E-Flite control horns. Make a suitable slit through the elevon, soak the hole with foam CA, then attach the horn with its backing plate.

    3692504230?profile=original

    The Carbon Vinyl gave me the rigidity I wanted, and the horns work really well with a SOLID connection.

  • http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/magnetometer-question    they say it should not but im not puting them anywhere near mine and thats how im going to do my hatch

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