David Windestal's mini quadcopter

[Burg]

Hi Guys,

I am planning to start a mini quadcopter build based on the one from David's design :
http://www.rcexplorer.se/projects/miniquad/miniquad.html

After having build large(r) QC's and TC's this should be fun for the cold dark evenings ;-)

Has anyone here already build it or one similar to this ?
When yes please, share your knowledge in respect of motors, esc's, tubes, contr board, props, etc.
It must be a popular subject among us because almost all content of David's shopping list is back order..

Still have to make a similar (in stock) shopping list but am hoping for some input from you as well.
Can you help ?

Grtz, Burg.

 

[ananas1301]

Actually there isn´t much of a difference between this and the larger ones. Only the frame and the electronics differ in size.

As frame you just use that "unpopulated" board and a few carbon rods.

I think all he did is explained pretty good.

So now you got that problem with the shopping list.

I just saw you´re from the netherlands.
There is a shop called Schweighofer
It is German and sells Turnigy ESC´s under a different name... Dymond!
Those are pretty much the same and I think they have the some of the stuff you need availabe at good prices for them already being inside the EU so no taxes should top them off.

 

[glydr]

It must be a popular subject among us because almost all content of David's shopping list is back order..

Partly my fault, I've a box o bits waiting to be made into one of these. My advice is to wait for stock as I'd rather run with a proven setup than buy something that doesn't work.

 

[Burg]

Anas, the thing that made me interested is that it is quite different then the larger ones. With these micro QC's you carefully have to select your gear and make it as light as possible. David's version is stripped to the max and not my aim. It can be a few cm larger and a few grams heavier perhaps.

The blanc KK board can easily be replaced by a pcs of plywood and I'd like to use 3x3mm wooden stick, reinforced with some cf strips. The 3x3mm carbon tubes are (surprise!) backorder and give huge shipping charges. Cant find these cheap locally eighter.

Shopping list ?
I still have some of these items lying around and just need to add a few more.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=4204
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=659
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=8613
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=5358
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=6744

But some of these 10gr motors will make it more heavy ..

Think I'll stick to these (in stock)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=6312

And wait for tehse to be back in stock (I still need only 3)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=4318

Update follows ! Thanks for your comments.

 

[Burg]

Oh Anas, thanks for the link to the German RC webshop. There are many of these in NL as well with similar prices. But none with the Turnigy clones! The DYMOND Smart 6 is indeed identical to the Plush. They even carry the program card ;-) But the price is almost 2.5x expensive and the shipping to NL is EUR 9.99 ..

Question:
This website supplies CF: "Kohlefaserstab" and "Kohlefaserrohr"
Can you check if these 'Staben" are similar to the ones David used ?

Kohlefaserstab 3mm/1000mm
Kohlefaserstab 4mm/1000mm

I mean 3mm / 4mm square and maybe hollow inside ?
It doesn't show on the website.
The price is good and I might try them ..

 

[Burg]

Partly my fault, I've a box o bits waiting to be made into one of these. My advice is to wait for stock as I'd rather run with a proven setup than buy something that doesn't work.

I agree with you glydr, I'll wait for the Plush 6A to be restocked. Plush esc's with multirotors always work. Do you have the identical parts that David used ? What contr board will you use ?

Like I wrote earlier, perhaps I'll use 3x3mm pine wood reinforced with small 1mm CF strips and add the square frame already. This will make it a bit heavier (20-40gr) and therefore go for the 10gr HXT or Turnigy 11-18 2000kv motors (5.5A max) and 5inch props. Size will be approx 20 cm motor to center (David's is 16cm).

 

[glydr]

Board is KKv2, 5g motors, plush escs, 5030 props, basically as per David's. I plan to jump a size, say 5mm CF, and go the traditional x shape rather than the box of David's v2.

 

[Burg]

Glydr, I see that the following tubes are expected 'Early Dec' ..
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=8711

Now we know to not rely too much on that info ;-) but this will work great I guess as solid x-shape.

750mm long / 4 = 187.50mm
1 boom 36cm
2 booms 18cm
= perfect !

I can get 6 tubes of 750mm to NL for USD25 incl packing (special card box).
Not bad I'd say ... (EUR18)

Will start with the el-cheapo reinforced 20cm pine wood 3x3mm strips in the mean time and let you know the weight / strength.

 

[ananas1301]

Cool! Seems to be the way to go for you!

Do you still need me to ask them per mail whether those cfk rods are squared and hollow?

 

[glydr]

Those seem the ticket, cheers.

 

[glydr]

G

Will start with the el-cheapo reinforced 20cm pine wood 3x3mm strips in the mean time and let you know the weight / strength.

You'll probably find binding the 3mm strips to the pine with thread and glue will help the composite work. You could use different colour threads to aid orientation while you are at it.

 

[Halford]

I'm building the same thing as you.... I did my order on HK 3 weeks ago, but many things still in BK.... I'll keep you posted, but I guess we are building the same exact quad for interior

 

[Non Action Man]

Just wondering why you'd use an unpopulated board when you could use a prototyping board? It'd much cheaper. Or is it to do with weight?

NAM

 

[Burg]

I'm building the same thing as you.... I did my order on HK 3 weeks ago, but many things still in BK.... I'll keep you posted, but I guess we are building the same exact quad for interior

Hi Halford, good to hear !
Those back orders are a b*tch right ..
You use the identical setup as David ?

 

[Burg]

Just wondering why you'd use an unpopulated board when you could use a prototyping board? It'd much cheaper. Or is it to do with weight? NAM

NAM, I see no use of such unpopulated board eighter.
A simple pcs of thin plywood will do the trick just as good I guess.

 

[Burg]

Update:

I cut 20cm pcs of 3x3mm pine wood (USD2,50 for 10 sticks of 1mtr) and glued two 20cm strips of 1x3mm CF to it. MAN this is rigid !! Tube weights only 5 grams. Very cheap construction ..



Tube thickness is now 4.10 mm





I took a 13gr motor (AD-100L 1850kv) which had some old wiring on it and zip tied it to the small tube.
Weight, including adapter and 5x5 apc prop : 23.5 grams



Thrust with a 2cell 850mah is great with zero to no flex.

 

[Burg]

Update

Order placed:

4x motor:
I went for the 10gr motor because the test from yesterday with the 13gr 1850kv was perfect. Besides that the weight of my mini quad is expected to be somewhat higher then David’s ultra stripped one. Also because I will be using normal thin 24AWG wiring. I also noticed in David’s vid that he hoovers the thing with 50% to 75% throttle.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5358

4x ESC:
Wanted the 6A Plush but ordered the 10A version (9gr). These were in stock and very small as well. Can be stripped to 6gr I guess.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4204

Glydr, I will use this for orientation (cover each tube with diff colours):
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9568__Wire_Mesh_Guard_Orange_6mm_1mtr_.html

Now let’s wait until the stuff arrives.
I can now build the frame and solder the RX to the HK board already.
Maybe I’ll make a bunch of frames ..

 

[glydr]

Brilliant. The coloured mesh will be good for keeping wires neat and hidden.

 

[Johntra]

What do you guys think about making one out of this?
http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=511&productname=

 

[Halford]

Hi Halford, good to hear !
Those back orders are a b*tch right ..
You use the identical setup as David ?

nearly, not the same board.... I'll be using hk v2 board instead of kk.

I bought same carbon fiber square tubes and same 9g engines ( the second one he tried ).

as a rx I have a small walkera 2608that will do the job fine.