First Quadcopter

[Sperkowsky]

Ok so I am planning my first quadcopter build but some background

I am a 15 year old high school student. I am experienced extensively as an robot electrician, I am a videoographer, and I love building. So naturally quadcopters really interested me. I never had a chance to see ones in action untill the nyc maker faire. It was awesome and I was hooked. The issue was I had no time or money. I still have no time or money but after buying an estes micro I need to build one.

Budget - flexible but starting with exactly$68 dollars.
I earn 20 dollars per week and then some randomly

what I want
- A decently robust frame
-reliable but not crazy powerful motors.
-a drone powerful enough to hold my gopro hero 3 and a brushless gimbal down the road.
-a drone with cheap easy to replace props
-a decent ecc
-a nice controller


I need some guidance because I dont know where to start

thanks

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate its going to be tight but we can try
Buy from hobby king as much as you can this will keep cost down
this frame will carry a go pro later on if you want
Frame is so cheap you can get parts easy or a second frames for spares
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...opter_Frame_450mm_Integrated_PCB_Version.html
Motors
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Brushless_Multirotor_Motor_Built_by_DYS.html
ESC x4
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...im_BLHeli_Multi_Rotor_Brushless_ESC_2_6S.html
Props you need 2 sets plastic are cheap but it will fly better on carbon no flexing
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Propellers_L_H_and_R_H_Rotation_1_pair_.html
FCB as we are keeping it cheap but your need to flash is so get the flash tool its easy to do
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ntrol_Board_With_6050MPU_And_Atmel_644PA.html
Battery
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9185__Turnigy_4000mAh_3S_20C_Lipo_Pack.html
Your also need servo link leads, heat shrink , plastic stand off to mount FCB to , Transmitter and receiver ( this is not cheap)
you may need to solder as well so if you not got this your need to borrow one and the flash tool just the 6 pin one will do
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=27990&aff=13680

 

[GJH105775]

Also bullet connectors and battery strap. The starting price for a hobby grade quadcopter is around $250 (~£230). You'd be better to save up and buy all possible at once from each distributor. Because the shipping for this stuff is REALLY high.

 

[holtneil]

Hi George I am not going to say your wrong my friend( as its personal taste) but bullet connectors can fail so I dont and many others dont use them just solder wire and heat shrink saves weight too , As for shipping George is spot on get as much as you can on the shipping rate

 

[GJH105775]

I used bullet connectors for testing, but did not get enough to do the whole thing. I agree that a solder joint is the best joint you can get (depending on who is soldering ).
So it is common to direct solder in RC? I am still new to the RC side of things .

 

[holtneil]

Hi George sorry not telling you off , there is a lot to learn most by trial and error , You need to be careful not to short any thing ( a lipo all blow up in your face so take care if your not sure ask me or George) we will help you as much as you need , and any questions just ask