Heath's quad build

[heath]

I'm planning my first scratch (kit?) built quadcopter. I'm looking at the ElectroHub kits from Flite Test and RTFQuads. This is my first "real" RC craft (other than cheap toys that came with their own controller) so I fear I'm overlooking some little things that most of the experts sort of take for granted. Here's my parts list. I'd really like some thoughts. Am I missing anything important? Anything I should re-think?

Item - (Qty) - $Price - Source

ElectroHub frame kit (1) - $53 - http://store.flitetest.com/electrohub-quadcopter-kit/
(ElectroHub kit parts purchased seperately)
ElectroHub plates (1) - $14 - http://store.flitetest.com/electrohub-plates-only/
Motor Mount Discs (4) - $24 - http://store.flitetest.com/simple-motor-mount-discs/
Anycopter Booms (2 pair) - $9 - http://store.flitetest.com/anycopter-booms-wood-arms/
M3x20mm Screws & nuts (2x 10-pack) - $9.98 - http://store.flitetest.com/m3-x-20mm-stainless-pack-button/
Landing Gear (4) - $12 - http://store.flitetest.com/simple-delrin-landing-gear/
Battery/Camera Mount (1) - $20 - http://store.flitetest.com/vibration-dampening-camera-mount-kit/
Subtotal - $88.98 individually, $53 as a kit

Electronics Kit (1) - $103 - http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/flite-test-electrohub-electronic-kit.html
(Electronics kit parts purchased seperately)
Flight Controller - Flip 1.5 w/case (1) - $25 - http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/flight-controllers/flip-mwc-flight-controller.html
ESCs - F-20A Fire Red series SimonK (4) - $32 - http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/sp...rmal-esc-with-rapidesc-fw-for-multirotor.html
Motor - Witespy Red Special (4) - $42 - http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/motors/witespy-red-special-motor-1000kv.html
Propellers - 9x4.5 MM (2 pair) (2) - $10 - http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/propellers/hq-prop-9x45-carbon-composite-prop.html
Power Harness - Male XT60 (1) - $2.50 - http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/xt60-female-plug-plus-xt60-12-awg.html
Subtotal - $111.50 individually, $103.00 as a kit

Radio
Transmitter & Receiver (Turnigy 9x) (1) - $59.99 - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Module_8ch_Receiver_Mode_2_v2_Firmware_.html

Batteries
Quadcopter Battery (2) - $17 - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8932__Turnigy_2200mAh_3S_20C_Lipo_Pack.html
Transmitter Battery (1) - $12.79 - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=16529&aff=1195429
Battery Charger (1) - $12.35 - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...act_2S_3S_Lipo_Charger_100_240v_US_Plug_.html
Battery Low Voltage Alarm (1) - $3.80 - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...2_8S_Cell_Checker_with_Low_Voltage_Alarm.html
Subtotal - $45.94

Tools and Equipment for assembly
Heat Gun (1) - $9.99 - http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html
Heat Shrink Tubing (1) - $3.99 - http://www.harborfreight.com/120-piece-heat-shrink-tubing-set-67530.html
Bullet Connectors (20 pair) (1) - $4.37 http://www.amazon.com/Generic-3-5mm...3181738&sr=8-1&keywords=3mm+bullet+connectors
Zip Ties (100) (1) - $2.00 - http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-black-cable-ties-100-pc-69406.html
Subtotal - $20.35

Initial Total to achieve flight - $ 326.76 individually, $282.28 if frame and electronics purchased as kits


Support - Spare and Extra Parts
Propellers - 9x4.5 MM (4 pair) - $20 - http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/propellers/hq-prop-9x45-carbon-composite-prop.html
Quadcopter Battery (2) - $17 - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8932__Turnigy_2200mAh_3S_20C_Lipo_Pack.html
Transmitter Battery (1) - $12.79 - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=16529&aff=1195429
Subtotal - $49.79

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate all i can see that is missing is blue lock tight and servo leads so you can connect receiver to FCB
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...tion_Transfer_To_The_FC_JR_80mm_5pcs_bag.html

 

[heath]

Thanks! I have loctite (blue and red). Good catch on the lead wires. I could probably salvage some from an old PC, but I'll add that set to the order anyway.

Instead of buying the ElectroHub, I'm leaning really close to making my own frame based on the "AnyCopter" style hub. Making it out of 3/32" or 1/8" aircraft grade birch plywood would be no problem. BUT... I also have the opportunity to make it out of 3mm aluminum. Anyone have any comments on using aluminum as hub material? My booms will still be wood. I think I'll get a cheap plastic cutting board and cut out the landing gear and motor mounts out of that.

 

[holtneil]

Hi only use blue or it wont come apart for any repairs, just watch the weight , plastic may be to brittle for motors depends on how thick it is , if your using wood why dont you make one like the ECKS frame he started making them out of wood but now uses carbon fibre
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ecks frames&biw=1280&bih=637&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Tds-VKr0OcLB7Aa9ioH4Bg&sqi=2&ved=0CDwQsAQ
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CFYQtwIwCQ&url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MT0X65ORUw&ei=Tds-VKr0OcLB7Aa9ioH4Bg&usg=AFQjCNFTGGzLDboQM4azXadhIyVD6IWWLA&sig2=lF22xIQZbRUb4nsuK2DB2A&bvm=bv.77648437,bs.1,d.ZWU
This is what an ecks frame flys like in hand of the best hot dog flier in europe

 

[heath]

Holy crap, that's an incredible video! I'm going to do some research on that ECKS frame...

 

[heath]

Made it this far today with some 3/32" ply and 1/2" square dowels from Hobby Lobby. Followed the Anycopter Hub template from Flite Test.


Now I just need some screws and nuts and motors and ESCs and a flight controller and propellers and a receiver and transmitter and batteries and...

 

[heath]

Question about the copter in that video... I see in the specs that he's using a Flyduino flight controller. Is that kind of flying possible with a Flip flight controller?

My initial goal in getting into quads was to do aerial photography and FPV flying. And that's still the direction I'm going to go with my first build. But after watching that video, I'm really thinking about an additional build that would just be for acrobatic flying like that. I know the majority pilot skill (and it will take me a lot of time and a lot of practice and a lot of crashes to get that good), but was just wondering if I needed a particular flight controller if I wanted to be able to fly like that.

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate most fcb can be set up to one or the other kk 2.0 can be made stable for a camera , if i up the stick scaling it will flip all the time , what you can do is up scale the frame ( i wanted you to see the frame as its all wood so you can see what can be done ) and use this for camera and fpv then later on build a small light and powerful quad for acro flying , ecks frames have been crash tested and never broke he even stood on one while the motor points where up on bricks , it never broke so that was about 13 stone on it