My first DIY Quadrocopter

3689514884?profile=originalHey All!

This is my first blog here and hopefully not my last. The picture is obviously the frame of my DIY Quadrocopter. I'm waiting on a delivery of the electronics to complete it. I got anxious and couldn't wait to share my project with you all so this will be part one of more to come, so long as the final assembly, tuning and maiden voyage are all successful. I've been reading a lot and learning a lot from all of you here. So I wanted to share my project and get your input.

 

The frame is 3/4" Oak. Each boom measures about 12" from the center. It will be powered by NTM Prop Drive Series 35-30 1100kV (380W) motors, 30 Amp Turnigy Plush ESCs, 11.1v Lipo (of various assorted mAH), KK2 Control Board, I've ordered an assortment of propellers from 8X4.5 to 10X4.7. I think the 10X4.7 will work best given the results from http://www.ecalc.ch/. I could probably push it up to a 14.8v, but I wanted my first quad to be manageable horsepower (Watts). So far I'm really enjoying my new therapy - I mean hobby. I'll have more to share as I progress.

 

Joe

E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Comments

  • Cool!

  • That was a frame-kit. The carbon burst into 100 strings after a hard crash. The wooden frames hold up much better and they are a form of carbon too ;)

    Yours is the first oak copter I have seen. My first one was cherry, now mainly using pine (have some redwood ready too).

  • How is carbon fiber to work with?

  • Had to cut the shafts because the first frame was carbon fiber. Never shook that habit though ;)

  • Instead of cutting the shaft, I am thinking of just drilling an oversize hole in my motor platform. But you've got me thinking. . .

  • I have been using the same trusted NTM motors for over 2 years. I only bent a shaft once, and that was during an airplane crash. Also for the multi-copters I cut the shafts on all of them:

    http://eastbay-rc.blogspot.com/2011/05/arcticopter-ii-build-part-1....

    3692680014?profile=original3692680089?profile=original

    Arcticopter II: Build part 1
    Here's the basic RadicalRC kit assembly.  It's really nice. We're using the carbon fiber arms.  Everything fit together nicely, and we glued...
  • Andreas - I like your use of wiffle balls on your copter! Did you have any problems with your NTM motors? I read in the comments section of HobbyKing that they have poor quality bearings and the shafts bend easily, so I purchased a set of bearings and spare shafts just in case. Still waiting on my shipment.

    Joe

  • John - I am also curious how much it weighs. I am tempted to go to the Deli Department and ask them to weigh it.

    R.D. - This will be my first RC aircraft. Actually, I also have a plane kit coming that will be a project with my son. I'm sure he'll enjoy the Quad. as well. I'll probably add stacks to the electronics platform. It is made from 1/4" oak - Thanks.

    Andreas - Thank you for the suggestion. I was trying to make the motor mount as stable as possible. Given that this likely will not be the only frame I build, there will be future mods/improvements, I'm sure.

    :  )

     

     

  • Have been using the same NTM motors for all my multi-copters (tri, quad, hexa). I use 40 AMP Plush ESCs but 30 is probably good enough. You will have a very powerful and fast quad, with 3S my quad lifted 4 pounds, with 4S 8 pounds (payload).

    FYI on the motor mounts: If you use 3/4" arms you don't really need to build a platform. It works just fine if you just use 2 screws to attach the motor.

    Speed build log with pictures:

    http://eastbay-rc.blogspot.com/2012/07/black-sheep-eats-tasty-crow....

    3692679451?profile=original

    Black Sheep Eats Tasty Crow
    (updates) Somebody asked "what's a Trappy ?" Answers here , here , and especially here . Trappy posted a nice note congratulating Andr...
  • Welcome to the hobby Joe!  The KK board will give you experience in the multirotor world. Is this your first experience with RC aircraft?

    Nice use of material. You may find the center area a bit small for all the stuff that will attach but, that will only challenge you to be clever.

    Build on!

    -=Doug

This reply was deleted.