Which parts will break or deteriorate fast?

E

Ede

Member
Sometime in the next weeks I plan to build my first quadcopter. I imagine that maybe in a year I want to have a racing drone with quality parts maybe for 500 USD. I have experience with mechanics and electronics and I want to build my own copter.

I am sure at the beginning I will crash my copter and I know already that I should buy a big bag of propellers because they break all the time. But what else will break and deteriorate fast? For example I am willing to spend now money for high quality ESCs, flight controller, motors, receiver, etc. if I can expect that they will survive a couple of crashes. I would like to buy good parts now and use them for years. But if I know already that it will be likely that all these parts will be destroyed within the first weeks of learning to fly then there is no point in buying right away good and expensive parts. Maybe it makes more sense to buy first cheap parts and likely destroy them all while crashing and later buy better parts.

A similar question is if some parts will just deteriorate. I.e. will the motors be dirty and unusable after weeks or are they more or less indestructible?

What is your experience what breaks? Does it make sense to buy expensive high quality parts for the first copter?
 
Welcome,Ede! Here is my opinion, for what it's worth. Normally I would suggest you first buy a RTF quad like the Syma X5c 1, Which is fast becoming everyones favorite trainer/practice quad. You can get one on Amazon with upgraded batteries, charger and extra props for under $90.00. You WILL crash. A lot. No sense in destroying expensive stuff in the beginning. You can learn to fly while piecing together your dream quad! It's a win, win!
Should you still decide to build your own now get all your tools first. You'll need a quality radio ( don't cheese on this because you will use it for years), a good battery charger, prop balancer and a really good soldering iron. Good tools aren't cheap and this list can easily cost $500.00.
Quality parts will save you money in the long run.I bought cheap in the beginning and it cost me a butt load to replace all that junk. What a waste. Most flight controllers and name brand receivers are pretty bulletproof. Quality ESC's will last years as well as long as you don't short them out or overheat them. Good quality motors will go 40 to 60 hours before you'll need to change the bearings. The best have lifetime bearings. Keep them clean and dry and you'll be able to use them for years. I don't know what size quad you want but larger 450mm-500mm frames are more stable than smaller frames. Carbon Fiber is nearly indestructible and expensive. Plastic, fiberglass and wood can break easier than CF but cost a lot less money. I can't think of anything on a quad that deteriorates as long as you maintain it.
Right now it would be wise to avoid buying direct from China. Their economy is in chaos and it is truly buyer beware. There are numerous domestic locations to buy from safely. Even some of the larger Chinese, like Hobby King, have distribution centers here and have ok customer service. Always use PayPal.
Welcome to the disease we mistakenly call a hobby:D
 
 
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Thanks for your detailed answers. A beginner drone sounds interesting and it’s amazing how cheap they are available.

Coming back to the question which parts will break: How sturdy are these beginner drones like i.e. the Syma X5c-1? If I would crash i.e. against a tree is it likely that the drone (frame) will be destroyed? How would a carbon frame like i.e. Lumenier QAV250 compare to this? If the carbon frame is more or less indestructible wouldn’t that be best for a beginner?
 
The Syma is pretty sturdy. It would probably break if you flew it into a tree trunk at full speed. It would also only cost a few dollars to fix. Don't fly around trees! Carbon fiber is incredibly strong and incredibly expensive to repair if you fly it at full speed into a tree. A racing quad like the QAV 250 will hit the tree at about 80 mph. The Syma will hit it at about 25 mph. I believe you are over thinking this. Other than flying into leafy branches, quads rarely hit a tree. Most people fly in open fields or parks away from buildings, people and pavement so heavy damage is rare unless you lose power from, for example, 200 ft up.
We will all support you and try to give sound advice no matter which route you take. I think you should walk before you run,but, all these suggestions are only my opinion. This will be YOUR quad so you should do what makes YOU happy.:)
 
Thanks HDtallrider,

Until a few weeks ago I didn’t know much about quadcopters. They seemed kind of nice but boring. But then I saw a video about FPV drone racing in the woods and that reminded me, like many other people before, of the racing in the woods in Star Wars III. I saw that movie back in 1983 when I was a teenager and I loved it. And just the idea to race like this in real, without injuries, is somehow inspiring. :)

Thanks for your advice

Ede
 
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Ede said:
I just discovered the Heli-Max 1SQ. I think I will get that one to start with.
http://www.helimaxrc.com/quadcopters/hmxe0834-1sq/index.html
Click to expand...

Good choice. I started with a 1si. Fun little copter. When you decide to get your FPV quad check out the videos on the Helipal Storm Drone and Storm Drone V2. You might be able to go right to the V2 and just use the 1sq for indoor flying /practice when the weather is bad. There must be 2 dozen videos out there. Several Forum members have one as well. Just google it and go crazy!
 
I have been working(Training ) with the JJRC H8D for a couple of weeks now. I would advise flying a RTF drone first as well. I have attempted to put a 250 quadcopter in the air and well... that did NOT go well. I definately need a lot more practice. Some of the things that do burn out other than blades are motors. One of the motors on my H8D stopped last night, I took the copter completely apart, then replaced it with the "Free gift" that came with the copter and the gear on the motor actually popped off when testing the new motor (After putting everything back together).. so I am dealing with that right now. so, though cheap the motors have been my hill to climb.
 
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