Derek's New Quad

[Derek]

Just as the title suggests, I'm planning a new quad. I learned a lot while building my mini quad, now I'm going to build a new quad. I've spoken about this is another thread. I just wish I could remember which thread that was. Dan and I were having similar thoughts on a custom quad build.

Dan has done a fantastic job, thus far, with his build. I hope I can do a good job on my own build. I'm looking at a quad that is about a 450 size. My 250 mini is great and all but I'd like to have something that had some size. I have the carbon fiber plate, 16mm carbon tubes, 16mm tube clamps, and a lot of hardware. I'm hoping to run the quad on 4S 1800-2500mah packs with 8" props. I've been doing some rough drawings, based on the size of the carbon plate that i want to use, the size tubes that I have, and the props that I want to use. I was really hoping to get the quad to be less than 450mm diagonal, but with the size of carbon plate that I have and the size of props that I want to use, the smallest my drawings have come out to be was 451mm diagonal.

I'd like to ask some questions.....

If the props overlap the frame, how badly does that effect performance? I"m thinking that the prop wash would beat on the frame, causing unwanted vibes.

I've been looking at some other 450 quads and I did find a 1200kv motor that can run 264 watts with 8" props on 4S. Should I be looking at a different motor? Perhaps with a lesser kv??

[Tony]

Holy smoke D. How many projects you got going now... Haha, does your brain never stop...

[Derek]

Holy smoke D. How many projects you got going now... Haha, does your brain never stop...

Honestly....I don't know, lol. And no....my brain never stops. I'll wake up in the middle of the night with an idea and I have to go write it down. I'll be at my station at work and I'll have an idea....I'll have to write it down. The worst part of it all is when I actually start thinking about how I can get my idea in my hands, lol. It's a terrible curse that never ends, lol

[Tony]

Good on ya... Must be great to get an idea and turn it into reality..

[Derek]

Yep....it's fun and I learn something new almost everytime. For example...the voltage regulator that you suggested for my 250 Dart. That will be a new experience for me.

[Tony]

Well the reg is simple enough D. You won't have any issues with that I'm sure....

[Derek]

I'm sure it is simple enough. It will just be a new experience for me. I'm not afraid to try something new, especially if it's new and I can learn from it. I thank you for that!

[danhampson]

Pictures....................

If the props overlap the frame, how badly does that effect performance? I"m thinking that the prop wash would beat on the frame, causing unwanted vibes.

i would have thought it may create some permanent prop wash. all the larger and heavy lifter designs i have looked at have the props miles away from the center "pod", most of this is for stability so that all the props have clean air.

I've been looking at some other 450 quads and I did find a 1200kv motor that can run 264 watts with 8" props on 4S. Should I be looking at a different motor? Perhaps with a lesser kv??

I think it depends on what you plan on doing with you quad, longer flight times and more sedate or 5-10 mins of craziness, the latter is the aim of mine.

[Derek]

Pictures....................

If the props overlap the frame, how badly does that effect performance? I"m thinking that the prop wash would beat on the frame, causing unwanted vibes.

i would have thought it may create some permanent prop wash. all the larger and heavy lifter designs i have looked at have the props miles away from the center "pod", most of this is for stability so that all the props have clean air.

I've been looking at some other 450 quads and I did find a 1200kv motor that can run 264 watts with 8" props on 4S. Should I be looking at a different motor? Perhaps with a lesser kv??

I think it depends on what you plan on doing with you quad, longer flight times and more sedate or 5-10 mins of craziness, the latter is the aim of mine.

As for pictures....I just have an image in my head, right now, and a few drawings on some paper. I'll share those thoughts on my next day off. I'm working tonight. Bummer!

As for the props over the frame pod, yes, I can imagine that the props really should be away from the pod for stability and clean air. I'll work on that.

As for my plans for this quad...My 250 quad is awesome and a lot of fun but I'd like to have something a bit bigger so that I can see it better when flying LOS. I'd like to fly this quad with some FPV speedy madness.

[Derek]

What's a good way to cut 1.5mm and 2mm carbon fiber plate?

I have a very good working scroll saw and a bunch of brand new blades. Would this be acceptable?

[danhampson]

A scroll saw will work derek but it will chip the edges slightly. I used a diamond coated cutting disc, it worked a treat mate.

[Derek]

hmmmm, I'll have a look at my local discount tool store this week and see if I get a disk like you are describing.

Thanks Dan!

[DOG]

Hey Derek, if you don't have a dremel, get one. Then get a dremel Thin cut EZ lock cutting blade. You can get the kit for $25.00, a little $$$ but worst it. This blade cuts and files at the same time. My personal opinion, you will be very pleased with the out come. Check it out at any harbor Freight or local home improvement stores. Good luck!

[DOG]

Hey Derek, if you don't have a dremel, get one. Then get a dremel Thin cut EZ lock cutting blade. You can get the kit for $25.00, a little $$$ but worst it. This blade cuts and files at the same time. My personal opinion, you will be very pleased with the out come. Check it out at any harbor Freight or local home improvement stores. Good luck!

I cut steel with this blade.

[pvolcko]

Fine tooth saw blade should be fine. Sand down the edges. disc/dremel would be better. Could also score it with a knife and just crack it.

[danhampson]

this is the video i watched before i started cutting my carbon, the company who made the video produce and supply carbon fiber amongst other composites.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWzN6GZeEzs

[Derek]

Thanks for that, guys! As you can tell from this thread, I've wanted to build my own quad. I was actually going to aim for a super speeder 400mm quad on 4S with 8" props. I've bought a lot of the carbon fiber, motor mounts, and hardware. Now that I've had this crash, I've decided to not order a new quad and I'm not going to order new arms for my Dart 250 (maybe another day). I've decided to take the parts that I currently have and scale down my 400mm quad idea and run the same electronics that I have on my Dart 250. So...this one will be my own build with some inspiration from Dan. I'm going to run 5x4 - 6x4 props on 3S and 4S. I've done some searching around and it seems that if I want to run the 6x4 props on my 2207-2100kv Sunny Sky motors, I may have to get larger esc's than the 18amp esc's that I have. Not sure yet about this.

Nonetheless, I won't be kept down. I will build my own quad. I will get back in the air with an FPV quad. Most importantly, I will steer clear of those pesky trees, lmao

[danhampson]

So what sort of size are you thinking derek?

You should be fine with 18amp esc's mate. I've seen loads of quads flying cobra 2208's (1950kv) or tiger 2208's (2000kv) kiss 18 's 4s and 6045 props. Borisb and charpu fly that sort of setup.

A tip derek don't use drill bits, use tungsten carbide mill end's they leave a much neater finish and don't dull as quickly, Normal has drill bits have been good for about 5-6 holes on the 2.5mm carbon I've been using, then I used 2 mill ends to do nearly all the plates, I should have used more really but o's all new so there's always a learning curve.

[Derek]

Thanks for the tips, Dan! My Dad has a very nice mill press that I'll be using for the hole cutting. No worries there.

This thread was originally for a 400mm quad that I wanted to build. However, since I've crashed my 250, I've decided to scale down this project. So, I've started a new thread in the "Micro and Mini" section. I'm probably done with this thread for the time being.