A more sturdy/durable FT H-Quad

by CMS_1961 | October 14, 2014 | (0) Posted in Projects


The FT H-Quad is my first multirotor project.  I built one about 3 months ago and ended up crashing due to my lack of multi rotor flying experience.  The FT H Quad hit on its side during the crash saving all my motors and electronics, however, an arm had broke off the quadcopter frame.  This turned out to be unrepairable.  After studying the design of the FT H Quad I figured I could make it stronger for newbies like me.  The following is the result.

I took the FT H Quad design and just made it stronger. My frame is 3/4 inch x 1/2 inch hard wood  (not 1/2 x 1/2) I used wood glue and small screws to put it together.  It uses all the same demensions as the FT H Quad except I added the extensions off the motor arms back to the main frame for strength.  Everything is aligned and wood glued together.  After the wood glue dries add the screws.  Remember to pilot drill all holes before putting screws in or you will split the wood.  It also has a battery holder screwed perpendicular to the fram on the bottom to add strength to the center of the frame.  You will notice I did not enclose the center frane like the FT H Quad because it does not need the added strength in these areas.  This frame is strong enough.  I used dollar tree foam board to mount the flight control board.  The KK board remains in the shipping box and that box is glued to the foam board.  Toothpicks hold the KK board in its shipping box so you can take it out if you need to.  I have had no vibration issues!!

Here is a close up of the frame construction.

Here is the completed frame (sorry for marginal picture quality)

I have read in the forum that a lot of people prefer composite due to weight but as you can see this fram is very strong and very light.  This weight is complete frame (less paint). with all screws installed as well.  Not too heavy at all and much cheaper than composites!!

Here are the wood screws used on the quad construction. Available at ACE hardware.  These screws are used at all the joints where the wood beams intersect. 

Here is a wood "kit" that I cut before assembly.  This is all the peicies used in this upgraded Quad except for the arm extension peices.  To make the arm extensions I use a peice of wood and center on the middle of the arm back to the frame.  I make one of these and then use this peice as a mater template to cut the other three arm braces. 

Here are the detailed plans I made to explain the build and some other details for the newbies. I had to search the internet after building my first quad just to understand which way the motors turn and where standard and reverse props go. I included this info as well.

Hope this helps all the people new to quadcopters. This frame is strong! I know because I have crashed it from about three stories high and it was completely un-damaged! After you build this frame you will see what I mean. If you have any questions or comments please let me know.

COMMENTS

Mastrmindz on October 17, 2014
Great job man. I recently built my own version of the Hquad based on FT's knucklequad. I ended up following a method very similar to yours except for the crossbeams. I ended up using thin ply for the main center portion and for bridging that to the arms. I shaped them much like those on the knuckle quad. However, I can see how this method can be structurally very rigid. Really like it. My only concern is with the amount of dowels used. Does it add much weight or compromise the battery life?
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CMS_1961 on October 17, 2014
Mastrmindz

Thanks!!

I get about 5 1/2 minutes with a 3 cell 2200 (30C) battery (that typically takes the battery down to about 11.5 volts). AUW for the H Quad as pictured was just over 2 lbs (including battery). I have flown a camera (small security type) and 5.8Mhz Tx and 350 mah battery for FPV and it flew fine. It is actually more stable in any breeze with the camera on it (more weight). I was surprised at the DT750 motors because I am usually at half throttle or less and the motors seem to be quite strong. They could probably haul a larger mah battery like a 5000 mah --I have just not had a chance to pick one up. I check the motors and ESCs after every flight and they are barely warm. I suppose if you ran the motors at full throttle with a 2200 mah you would not get the 51/2 minutes. I have flown 2 - 2200 batteries with a harness I made and it did not effect the flight at all and I got about 9 minutes of flight time, I probably could have got more time but was being conservative.

I have a go pro to try on it but I want to get really good at flying it first!!


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Mastrmindz on October 19, 2014
Awesome. It seems to get a similar battery life to my hquad when comparing it to the few times I have flow it (before crashing). I guess the wooden dowels do not add that much weight.

One thing I tried with mine was getting a parallel battery connector and hooking up two 3S 2200 turnigy batteries. It definitely increased the amount of flying time of my quad substantially. I did not fly it very long (again it crashed >_<), but I compared the time I flew it to the amount of battery life I had left, and there was definite improvement. I will have to fly it again, but I would recommend flying with two batteries in parallel. More time, more fun.
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A more sturdy/durable FT H-Quad