$20 Quadcopter frame from Bunnings
Snap together parts all from Bunnings. The arms are 25.4 x 25.4 x 1.2 x 600mm aluminium which will be cut down to around 300mm so I'll get two arms out of each length. The arms are probably bigger than they need be at 25.4 mm but they should be good for easily fitting the wires and ESCs within. They fit together in the middle via a 5 way joiner which keeps all four arms held on pretty firmly. I needed a rubber mallet to get them off again. The 6 way joiner was used as it provides ready made access to the meeting point of all the arms which will be ideal for routing the wires to the four speed controllers and keeping them hidden from view. The aim with this frame is to have zero external wires. External means outside of the arms or central dome.
The CONNECT-IT 600mm lengths are $5.81 each, the 6 way joiner $2.24, End Caps $0.49, Food container with clip on lid $3.36. Grand total $19.18
April 28th, 2011 - 19:43
Nice looking frame for the price 🙂
Have you got pics of your completed and working quad?
April 28th, 2011 - 23:23
I'm still waiting for parts to arrive from Hong Kong. Haven't made any real progress since taking those photos.
June 20th, 2011 - 16:10
So how does this frame fly??? Just embarked on making this frame after breaking my Gaui 330 frame. Any news on how it goes??
June 20th, 2011 - 20:35
I kept the centre connector but swapped the 24.5mm aluminium square tube for 12mm C channel aluminium to save some weight. I've just received the Hobbyking quadcontroller and done two test flights. It needs some adjustment to get it in stable flight.
June 20th, 2011 - 20:39
I am planning on drilling a number of holes down the sides of the 24mm tubing to reduce the weight, but I think a bit more weight is not to much of an issue compared to the original Gaui frame, which seems to be easily blown around even in a slight breeze. The holes in the arms should help airflow to the ESCs as well for cooling.
June 20th, 2011 - 20:52
I just posted a pic of the version 2 frame. The other reason I ditched the 24mm tube was because the ESCs didn't fit inside. One of the reasons for using the tube was to try and enclose all the wires and mess. If I couldn't do that then I went for something lighter.
http://fangin.com/blog/2011/06/20/quadcopter-frame-version2/
August 8th, 2011 - 22:39
Here's a quick video of this frame flying,
http://fangin.com/blog/2011/08/08/20-quadcopter-frame-test-flight-video/
October 26th, 2011 - 02:05
Hey, I'd recommend not keeping you ESC's inside the tubes, they are quite good at overheating. Nothing like the convection outside the tubes to keep them cool, you can always drill holes to run the wires in and you won't lose any strength if you are wise about it. Nice easy frame build though!
October 26th, 2011 - 02:06
I just read on through the comments…can probably ignore my comment about putting the escs on the outside now, since you've already done that.
February 13th, 2012 - 01:43
I am wondering if the arms come in carbon fiber also?
November 28th, 2013 - 16:18
Rubber mallets are nothing but a kind of hammer which is made up of rubber. The mallets contain usually a large head. These mallets are used to shape the metal sheets, toys, plasterboard, etc. The metal sheet and toys can bent and shaped in desired manner. Mallets have non-marring spring back resistant heads.