Heath's Woodworking Projects

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 9:17 pm

Just about finished with the quadcopter. It rained all day today so we were not able to get our maiden flight in. Can't wait for the weather to clear and actually fly it!

[ATTACH]26917[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]26918[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]26919[/ATTACH]

2centsworth · Post by **2centsworth** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 9:29 am

So Heath great looking machine so just curious how much do you think you have tied up in this so far ?

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:05 am

Cool Heath. Does it have a camera attached? What size battery are you using. I like your spring landing gear

Fred
Btw, I'm going to help get you over the 20,000 view mark

tomsalwasser · Post by **tomsalwasser** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:35 am

algale wrote:Thanks for posting the video. While I doubt I'll ever build one of these I learned a couple of neat tricks, including using the blue painter's tape to help prevent tear out.

Me too! I also like the technique of attaching a smaller orbital sander sheet to the disk sander sheet. I assume this helps because you have 2 grits at the ready?

I really enjoy peoples pictures and videos as much for what I see in the background as the subject matter.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:34 am

2centsworth wrote:So Heath great looking machine so just curious how much do you think you have tied up in this so far ?

My CFO says way too much! But here's the price breakdown so far:

From ReadyToFlyQuads.com:
Flight Controller - $22 (includes case and connection pins soldered on)
Motors - $40 (four total motors)
ESCs - $31 (four total - one Electronic Speed Controller for each motor)
Wires - $5 (for battery connection and to connect receiver to controller)
Shipping - $4
Subtotal: $102.00

From HobbyKing.com:
Transmitter & Receiver - $69.97 (Turnigy 9X)
RC Battery - $19.98 (two batteries for the quadcopter)
TX Battery - $13.30 (one battery for the transmitter)
Charger - $12.60
Propellers - $28.24 (8" slow fly props - 8 pair of red, 8 pair of blue)
Low Battery Alarm - $1.99
Shipping - $24.68 (I had to order from two different warehouses which increased the shipping cost)
Subtotal: $170.76

Total: $272.76

Various untabulated expenses for supplies such as zip ties, velcro, heat shrink tubing, 18ga wire, 3.5mm bullet connectors, solder, etc. The arms are ripped pieces of bamboo flooring that was given to me. The landing gear is 4" PVC that I had laying around. So, all total, I'm probably right around $300 going from absolutely no involvement in the RC hobby to a quadcopter that is ready to fly.

fredsheldon wrote:Cool Heath. Does it have a camera attached? What size battery are you using. I like your spring landing gear

I don't have a camera... yet! But soon. My plan is to get a Mobius Action Camera (a small $70 HD camera) for recording in-flight video. I also want to add FPV (First Person Viewing) flying and have a second camera transmitting a signal back to a pair of goggles so you have a view as if you're on the craft flying it. The commercial packages from Fat Shark for that start at around $500. The cheapest I've been able to plan out a DIY solution is about $150. Guess which route I'll probably go?

My batteries 3-cell LiPo. For the copter, I got 2200mAh 3S 20C. I replaced the AAx8 battery pack on the transmitter with a 2650mAh 3S 1C. I could run 4-cell batteries in the copter for more power, but that would have meant buying a more expensive charger.

I was pretty pleased with how well the landing gear turned out! Hopefully they perform well!

tomsalwasser wrote:I also like the technique of attaching a smaller orbital sander sheet to the disk sander sheet. I assume this helps because you have 2 grits at the ready?

That's one benefit to that technique, but the actual reason I did that was because the larger disc held the smaller disc in place so I didn't have to get my fingers in the way!

2centsworth · Post by **2centsworth** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:05 am

Could this be true ? AM Roundup: NTSB Rules Drones Are Aircraft, Subject to FAA Rules
Now what you have to have a pilot's license?

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:21 am

2centsworth wrote:Could this be true ? AM Roundup: NTSB Rules Drones Are Aircraft, Subject to FAA Rules
Now what you have to have a pilot's license?

Since I'm a multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, I'm covered, unless they require a heli rating

Fred

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:03 am

minus 3 and counting.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:19 am

2centsworth wrote:Could this be true ? AM Roundup: NTSB Rules Drones Are Aircraft, Subject to FAA Rules
Now what you have to have a pilot's license?

The FAA currently forbids commercial use of "drones" (I still dislike that word due to the association with military/police unmanned killing/spying machines). Hobbyist flying is still OK. But, the FAA is promising updated rules shortly.

Despite the FAA ban on commercial use, there is still a lot of commercial use happening - particularly for aerial photography and video. And if the FAA would allow the commercial use there would a significant positive economic impact.

Here's a pretty good article that discusses the current situation. It's specific to Louisiana, but can apply nation wide. http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/l ... /19151049/

rpd · Post by **rpd** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 5:16 pm

Heath, great video of the maiden flights with camera

Quadcopter First Flights (with a camera)
The only thing missing was a fly through of you shop and a ShopSmith cameo.

Shopsmith Forums

Heath's Woodworking Projects

Costs....

Oh No....