DIY Custom Quad Mods

We have fallen in love with quad racing recently. This part of the hobby is flushed with custom modifications so that every pilot's craft is their own. An example would be that everybody wants that perfect angle for their camera. The popular solution is to create a camera mount with 3D printers, but these can be quite pricy. This tip is for you pilots who want to make your multirotor (or plane) extra special but might not want to shell out for expensive tools. 

This is an awesome product we have been using since Flite Test was just an idea. It's called InstaMorph! 

InstaMorph are these little plastic pellets that when poured into hot water...

...melt down into a moldable plastic. 

(Pro Tip! We used this clear plastic cup to flim the melting process, but the InstaMorph actually melted onto the inside of the cup. Use a ceramic or glass container so you don't make the same mistake we did!)

While it's still clear the InstaMorph mimics the properties of a dense Play-Doh. While working with the mass it might start to harden but you can always through it back into the water for a few seconds and it will loosen up again. 

For this GoPro mount, Alex molded the InstaMorph around the camera at the angle that he wanted then let the plastic dry. Drying time is between 12-15 minutes, so work time is very reasonable. 

Once it hardened, he took it to the bandsaw to trim the excess. This stuff can get quite heavy so trimming it down is recommmended.

If you don't have a bandsaw you can cut it with a good serrated knife. 

DO NOT try to belt sand this stuff. The friction will reheat the InstaMorph and it will deform your perfectly crafted part back to mush. 

Here is the completed wedge. All it took was some hot water and elbow grease!

Yo dawg! I heard you like XT-60 adpters!

So Peter made this XT-60 parallel adapter that is connected to an XT-60 series to XT-90 connector!

The only limitation on what you can create with this stuff is your imagination. Get creative and make an article right here on FliteTest.com showcasing what you made! 

Another modification tool we've been using is called Sugru!

Sugru is similar to InstaMorph except that it doesn't dry completely solid; it stays moldable. 

This is perfect for joints or things that still need freedom of movement. 

Unlike InstaMorph, Sugru has adhesive properties. This connector for Josh's Versacopter needed just a bit of reinforcement from the constant plugging and unplugging of batteries. 

Just two little spheres of Sugru make for a cheap way to angle a camera that provides some vibration dampening aswell. 

We will say, for the record, this is not a paid advertisement for these products. We simply love the stuff and want to spread the word! 

All these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. We would love to see what you all can come up with! If you have an awesome idea, take some pictures, write an article, and spread your knowlege with the Flite Test community!