I have been into the RC thing for a long time... but always ground based. Some nitro monster trucks, some buggies... my last toy was a RC Crawler, but a buddy of mine got into helicopters and after seeing a few Quad's and such I was sold. After weeks of reading and researching, I have decided on doing a Tricopter. My first thought was to build a Quad, but that is just too simple and they all end up looking like large flying blocks.
I think a tricopter will fly with more style, and should end up being alittle cheaper since I am not buying 4 Motor's and ESC's, only 3. I watched a few video's and realized building a Tricopter frame wouldnt be any easier. The rear Yaw pivot seemed to add a challenge, but I knew i had the parts needed to do it. So I went digging through a couple boxes of spare RC parts, and came up with something that should do the trick.
Here is my first setup:
Its from an old buggy frame, the front steering knuckle on its side. I figure I should benefit from the double ball bearing setup. Here's some quick video of its basic operation...
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RUnTAmARdVm37NLklQ7uttMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
After jumping that hurdle, it was off to Home Depot to get some Aluminum square for my frame. I opted for 3/4" square tube, and picked up some 90 degree aluminum stock as well for various brackets and such. For the body I got 2mm lexan. It only took a few minutes to cut the arms to length, and fit my rear yaw mechanism.
I used the other steering arm, and cut the horn off, and trimmed the hub with a dremel to make it fit snug into the hollow aluminum. I then marked where some of the original holes lined up, and ran screws through both sides to secure the assembly inside the frame. Also at the bottom I drilled a 3rd hole and placed a 2.5mm screw in place as an extra precaution. Video of the assembly in operation can be viewed here: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lA6LUBddjO7glY0JjW-GNdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
For the body I used RCexplorers .pdf but just made straight edges instead of curves. This would be my first attempt at cutting with my new saw, and I didnt want to try anything fancy. I increased the size by 30% to compensate for my larger arms.
At first I wanted to use rivets to hold the body plates to the arms. But after securing the tail, and then each wing, I realized it would be best to just use 4mm bolts and run them through the entire assembly. So I drilled out the rivets and am now at a stand-still, waiting for some parts to come in that I have ordered.
Which brings me to the good stuff!! the internals. This is what my HK order consists of:
KK2 Flight Controller - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=24723
DT750 Motors - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6247
Turnigy Plush 30A ESC's - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2164
8x4 Propellors - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11331
HobbyKing 939MG Servo - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14458
And also a few other goodies like the Programming card for the ESC's, low voltage alarm, 2200mah 20c 3s lipo's (two) and a USB connector so I can use my Turnigy 9X in Realflight and crash on the PC instead of real life!
So yeah... I guess this is the first step. The next step is to wait for my parts to come in so I can setup the KK2 position along with my RX and battery etc.
I think a tricopter will fly with more style, and should end up being alittle cheaper since I am not buying 4 Motor's and ESC's, only 3. I watched a few video's and realized building a Tricopter frame wouldnt be any easier. The rear Yaw pivot seemed to add a challenge, but I knew i had the parts needed to do it. So I went digging through a couple boxes of spare RC parts, and came up with something that should do the trick.
Here is my first setup:
Its from an old buggy frame, the front steering knuckle on its side. I figure I should benefit from the double ball bearing setup. Here's some quick video of its basic operation...
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RUnTAmARdVm37NLklQ7uttMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
After jumping that hurdle, it was off to Home Depot to get some Aluminum square for my frame. I opted for 3/4" square tube, and picked up some 90 degree aluminum stock as well for various brackets and such. For the body I got 2mm lexan. It only took a few minutes to cut the arms to length, and fit my rear yaw mechanism.
I used the other steering arm, and cut the horn off, and trimmed the hub with a dremel to make it fit snug into the hollow aluminum. I then marked where some of the original holes lined up, and ran screws through both sides to secure the assembly inside the frame. Also at the bottom I drilled a 3rd hole and placed a 2.5mm screw in place as an extra precaution. Video of the assembly in operation can be viewed here: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lA6LUBddjO7glY0JjW-GNdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
For the body I used RCexplorers .pdf but just made straight edges instead of curves. This would be my first attempt at cutting with my new saw, and I didnt want to try anything fancy. I increased the size by 30% to compensate for my larger arms.
At first I wanted to use rivets to hold the body plates to the arms. But after securing the tail, and then each wing, I realized it would be best to just use 4mm bolts and run them through the entire assembly. So I drilled out the rivets and am now at a stand-still, waiting for some parts to come in that I have ordered.
Which brings me to the good stuff!! the internals. This is what my HK order consists of:
KK2 Flight Controller - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=24723
DT750 Motors - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6247
Turnigy Plush 30A ESC's - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2164
8x4 Propellors - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11331
HobbyKing 939MG Servo - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14458
And also a few other goodies like the Programming card for the ESC's, low voltage alarm, 2200mah 20c 3s lipo's (two) and a USB connector so I can use my Turnigy 9X in Realflight and crash on the PC instead of real life!
So yeah... I guess this is the first step. The next step is to wait for my parts to come in so I can setup the KK2 position along with my RX and battery etc.
