Hey Andy and others, After a few months of waiting on parts and building. I have finally finished the quadcopter, today I flew the 3rd maiden, as the first 2 failed. That's why I would like to advise people who plan on building this quad about a few things: Firstly, do not get the alien x frame, get the cheaper 450 size f450 frame copy, which has integrated pcb. (I ended up buying this one) Secondly, get better ESC's, because all of my ESC's started to stop working one for one, I recommend you get the better ESC's used in the high end quadcopter series on this channel. Lastly, get enough props, although mentioned in the video, some people tend to forget this (me). I would like to thank you Andy for the work put in to this video because this has helped me enormously in my own project.
+GreenArt4 I created my own spreadsheet on prices and sources based on this video. Maybe it can help you: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jNVvUdmsWTabGDjqgGC21ukJqEW7q0NetiZeiHkXWew/edit?usp=sharing.
I have been into quads for a few years now, always with the intention of building one but I could never find step by step instructions through the whole thing including a parts list and programming. Now that I have seen this video, I am finally going to build my first large quad and get into many more aspects of the hobby that I've been too intimidated to try. Thank you so much for all the effort you put into this video. I, for one, benefited enormously from it.
I just finished my first flight test using your great video and fantastic instructions. This is the first quad I have built and no previous experience with model aircraft or RC vehicles. I do have an electronics background and worked on the flight controller for the F14 Tomcat back in 1967 and the CC3D controller is more sophisticated. I recently became a great grandfather so I may be the oldest of your fans. Thank you.
Hi I just wanted to let you know I've just completed my 1st quad and it's 100% based on this video. I really appreciate your attention to detail. Mine wasn't without issues too since my FC was bricked from the factory. Other than that, it went really well. I'm giving this to my son as his birthday present and I have you to thank for it. Keep up the excellent work!
$20 gps + $9 OSD + $5 FTDI adapter = 10 times better Quad. Only thing is, that is huge can of worms that nobody wants to explain to newbies which I completely understand.
not true check out the high end version i did.. truth is no one wants to pay the amount u need to get decent results 20 dollar gps = flys back to china
What an awesome video. Line by line I ordered it all that was the best informative build video ever. slow and steady, understandable, and patient. Thanks so much I subbed because you are awesome! I dont understand why other's don't make videos like this, they either talk to fast or become lazy and don't mention things...Incredibly accurate and enjoyable video! After wanting a huge quad, I bought 2 of these frames and spent days looking for a good informative and accurate video before I came across yours. With this information you have explained everything I need to build any quad copter really. Thats a great achievment , thanks again!
Just a couple of months ago I run into this video. Happy to report that my first quad was built successfully. Thanks AndyRc! Your videos were really helpful!
After about ten minutes of this video I opened up a chrome tab and started looking for parts. I got a bundle of motors and ECUs for a great price. But in other respects a very similar kit. I got everything for about 100 bucks, well except the transmitter and receiver. Found one locally for a similar price so I will be getting that after the other parts get here. Now the wait! Great video, makes the first proper build from scratch a little less daunting.
More flashbacks for me, I still have a couple of open pilot flight boards that still work. OK, I don't use them anymore. Loved watching this trip down memory lane.
Could you make a battery guide video? I;m working to build this current set up but would be cool to learn more about batts and what this set up could take. Thanks
Thanks. Just ordered all the parts. Great video. Will be building two. Only thing different is that I will construct the frame myself. Daddy and son project.
AndyRC Many thanks for the detailed video. Especially the portion on tuning, nothing was making sense to me regarding this up till now. Very informative info.
Great video, i have been coming back to this a lot as im currently building my first Quadcopter (450) i have been buying the parts week by week and the final bits should arrive tommorow. Thanks Andy for your very helpful and well explained videos.
I am considering building a quadcopter myself , and this set up is fantastic , i am going up with this , nice video by the way , i so it from the start to end without skipping anything XP, nicely done
Hi Andy, your videos are awesome! So than you for that. It is really nice to see a person like you, going through the all steps in building the drone. Like you I want to design my own drone, but it must be able to 'follow me' and the camera must be able to capture me. I do not want to buy something which is already made, as it is very interesting and rewarding when you have your own quad-copter in the sky. Can you please explain in your next video :) what components I would need to buy, and how to set it up, and where to buy it, etc.. Anyway, looking for your further videos. Thank you, Marcus.
Excellent vid and THANKS for taking the time and effort to share. Starting a build in about a month, as just ordered the same frame last night, before viewing this today....LOL. On the slow boat from BG. My first build, though should, should be a bit easier, hopefully, as chopping a WL V303 and maybe a CX 20 to do. Haven't tested all the parts yet to see what I will be using. Was well worth watching just for the motor mount screw tip, as something so simple but makes for a really bad experience if not knowing and was an issue. You definitely have more patience than myself.
Thanks for the video! just subscribed today after watching the phone FPV video. I was actually going back and forth all day today, looking at prices and parts. Haven't even received my quad yet so I don't have to program it or linking the transmitter yet but I'm so glad you included that. I actually downloaded openpilot already just because it works for mac too so I can use it when I bring my laptop along to fly. Thanks again.
Things have changed somewhat since you made this Andy. You can now buy a full kit with everything but the battery and transmitter for around £80 and the transmitter can be had for £34. For less than £150 you can have one of these with GPS as well. Something I may build next winter. Thanks for this very entertaining build.
It's a worthwhile build and AndyRC has done an great job of documenting this build! Finished this 450 build a few weeks ago, it took a while but got there in the end! The great thing about this build is that you can add and take away gear as needed. I've used a water noodle as landing padding for my build and lot's of tape, zip-ties and extra foam. It flies quite nicely now on Libre-pilot..
I didn't wait until winter and I am just starting to assemble the many parts I bought individually inspired by this video I have updated to Omnibus and got all my electronics into the small space of an X-525 with no spaghetti showing ;)
Thank you so much for recording this video and showing how to build a quadcopter step by step. I will be following your steps as soon as I can and will hopefully be flying it with the FPV system I am using on my syma X8W. cheers!!!
+AndyRC I would like to save a bit of cash buying the propellers from banggood, which of these do you think would do the job? www.banggood.com/search/dji-propeller.html cheers!
hi andy! i dont know what to do today i got all the parts and when i got to calibrate the motor onley motor number 4 spin! i pluged all the motor to line 4 one by one to check and all the motor and the esc ok! i use open pilot 14.1 from the banggod site, the other version 15.02.02 dont working for me. any suggestoin?
Hi Andy. I've watched the whole video several times - its so informative and we owe you for taking your time to make these. I want to build this but with a gimbal and GPS. Did you ever add these? I have looked but can't find it. I check your channel every day now looking for new stuff!
this video is really helpful for me...each and every single point is explained detailed.really a good job done by u...hoping more videos from u...all the best
hahaha wow, troubleshooting can sometimes end up in some next level surprises... I was literally like :O when you showed the screws. I have had so many problems building my drones, a bixler 2 and a Finwing Sabre. But always keep trying to figure it out and the solution will show itself eventually.
+AndyRC Thanks! Love your videos Sir. :D I can't wait to scrounge up the money to blow on this sort of thing. haha So far I keep running outside all my free time and playing with my little 90$ quadcopter. NEED MOAR BATTERIES.. lol
I would love it if you showed the steps on how to put it all together because I would love to build one but it would be my first time. what do you recommend I do?
Ho...really good video. Do you have an updated version of this video? I think some of these parts are no longer sold. that being said this was really helpful to watch you go to the buying process and did help me and understanding what parts are actually necessary to do this. I would really appreciate an updated video as I have always wanted to build my own quadcopter.
A big thank you AndyRC... There are a lot showing big interest in this project and I don't blame them... As a total beginner I was considering a ready made small one... Forget that as this looks like the way to go... unless of course you can buy a DGI Phantom or Inspire...
Thanks for this bro. This inspired me and finally come up to a decision on to moving to brushless quad. I'll be doing your build, but with some of my preference. Thanks again for sharing this.
Awesome! I'm a new subscriber and i love your micro stuff! They are my favorite things to fly but ill be wanting to do one of these too! I've watched a lot of these build videos but yours was the only one that included the shopping bit! awesome idea and very helpful! looking forward to your new stuff!
Clyde Brown thank you. i love micros too. the next vid is another micro one. i wanted to show the shopping because it does much better to know what to search for than post links that dont stand the test of time. glad you enjoyed. cheers for watching and also taking the time to comment
I just purchased all these parts but I'm not sure how to put them all together can you do a short vid on how to put together each piece one time please
Its frustating to solder without proper tools. Its hard to keep stuff in place. Quadcopters are amazing. I want to build a 250quad before the summer. Hope i do it soon. What foruns do you use?
Really liked the video - of course I realise it's a little old now. I am going to build a bigger quad for aerial photography, if you have a little time could you suggest any changes/additions you would add knowing more now than you did then? I would really appreciate it - or if not if you know of a similar but more up to date build video you could recommend. Thank you.
Thanks for the video, it's been very helpful. A lot of the links don't work any more, the video being several years old now. As the original quad frame is no longer available, could you recommend an alternative?
Hi Andy, finished my 450 quad built to your instructions a good while ago and it just sat there waiting for me to set up the controller as a 2nd attempt. First try at setup I too had a shorted motor resulting in a well-cooked ESC. I removed the motor from the frame and tested again with a multimeter and NO short. I suspect I was too generous when applying the loctite to the mounting screws and some of it 'set' and was 'bridging' onto the windings. Well, I did the setup yesterday and towards the end of the vehicle set up wizard I chose 'generic 450' settings and did not do any tuning afterwards. The maiden flight turned out great without any problems. I do have quite a bit of experience flying small quads which I think is advisable before flying one this size. Thanks for the video. PS could I use a 4 cell lipo instead of the 3 cell I am currently using?
Hi Andy. I am starting to buy the parts for my first build. I can't decide on the flight controller. I really want GPS and altitude hold. Naza Lite seems favourite - what do you think?
Great video! I'm thinking about getting into building my own quad after seeing it. Some of the bits you mention (for example the frame) don't seem to be available on bang good any more. Are there any other places that I could / should be looking?
Andy - great work. I'd sure like some pointers on where to get the complete parts - including GPS and camera with gimbal - Great job - I would suggest a link to parts and plans for novice builders - but I've built a 3d printer and am confident I could do this.... Thanks!
Great video as I am curious about multi as I am a heli guy. I would opt for non-rosin core, lead free solder. The rosin will not lead to cold (bad) solder joints. Its the solder technique. Heat the part, not the solder, until the solder melts into the opening/wire. Placing the tip in the hole (that is actually there to assist in solder stay) is not the best technique as the potential is very likely that the tip will melt the solder and not the heated part. Those solder connections have a potential to be a cold joint.
Thanks for the effort you put into making your video well done on both it and the quad you built. Inspired now to keep going with my own build. The main difference is I am using a quatro all in one ESC and 15x15mm stick to bulld the arms of of my quad.
Dear, Really nice tuto thank you verry much! i have a issue with the stabilization! The quad is oscilating. I think is the PID setting wrong ? could you give me your setting? thank you verry much
hi Andy I have build this with inspiration from this video!! thanks I have test flown it and first test was good but on second flight half way through flight quadcopter just cut off no controls work it fell to ground !! I had to reinstall from flight pilot then all worked good . I haven't flown it yet since but im wondering if it could be cold solder on bullit connector as I didn't achol them! can this be the problem??? hope you can help.thanks,chris
Hi Andy, Great project, is this project to be continued? You talked about adding a gimbal and other transmitter,. Maybe if you have these videos online you could add them to the description?
Can it handle a gimbal and 160g camera? Can you ad a list of parts in description? Have it a headless mode? (You probably say that, but im asking, because wideo is quite long)
Thank you so much! I was inspired by this video to order parts for a very similar F450-style quadcopter. I ordered all the parts from eBay and the total came to US$157.63 (about UK£102). I already have a 4-channel transmitter so that saved some but had to add a LiPo charger ($17.42) and chose to add prop guards ($8.28) and a prop balancing tool ($3.78). All the parts are expected to arrive by the end of September (in about 8 weeks) but may arrive by the end of August (3 weeks).
+AndyRC My cheap quadcopter is almost ready to fly! I'm temporarily using a Deans battery connector in place of the XT60 connector that has not arrived yet. Parts cost (everything but a transmitter) was US$117.61 (about UK£76.34). That includes adding the propeller guards. Everything was from eBay, until the $14.00 F450-style frame got stuck in China. Got one for $13.95 via Amazon. Beginners will need a transmitter, LiPo charger, soldering equipment, etc.
cool hope it flys well let me know :) waiting for parts is the worst bit, which is why i now buy lots of spares of the stuff im buying. its more expensive but less waiting times. so i always buy 5 ESC 5 motors etc and lots of props! although its never enough props lol
+AndyRC IT FLIES! I just took it outdoors for the first time. The CC3D flight controller kept it nicely stable. I was able to get it to hover and move in various directions. It currently has a bit of drift forward and left but I should be able to trim that out at the transmitter. Now I wonder if the GPS module I have will work on it. :)
+AndyRC I have assembled all the parts to build my quadcopter except my motors. I went to just see if my esc would make a beeping sound to check if they work but when I checked they made no sound. but remember I did not have my motors attach to my esc yet. You think my esc are broken or is it because I have not yet connected my motors?
Could you mount a GoPro in this specific build you made? I think you actually answered a comment similar to mine, but i want to know if i have to modify something significantly, of just mount the GoPro on it and fly it. Nice and helpfull video by the way, Thanks!
Thank you, it was informative and interesting. Personally I would have liked to see more of the build side of the quad especially the electrical side. I am pondering whether to buy or build. I thought I had purchased a 8C quad but they took my money and I got nothing in return. Did I feel stupid, yes. Has it taught me a lesson, yes. All I wanted to do was to fly in my area. I am disabled and the quad was my freedom card but hey that's my idiotic side. Hope you added more to it as I would love to see it flying again without the wind. Take care, be well.
Greetings, I am using FS-i4 instead of your controller. The librepilot won't detect any pressed button, only throttles were detected and not perfectly.
I just want to say one things...thank you very much bro !! :-) !!! I have already had lots of quadcopters, but I wanted to build my own quadcopter...However, I didn't know how to make it...until I saw your videos...It's a great job !! And sorry fot my English , it isn't my first language... By a French guy xD
Really interesting video. I decided to get myself an MJX X600 last week and I've already decided that I want a proper 450 quad to mount a camera on so this is exactly the sort of project I have in mind. I'm planning to spend a little more than the bare minimum but still looking to upgrade over time rather than try to build the ultimate quad right off the bat but I think you've saved me a few quid too. :) One question, I have a 6 channel controllerI got with the X600 - can I use that with another quad to start off with or do you have to buy a matched controller and receiver?
Great video, really outstanding to put something from start to finish! I've been flying toy grade like the Syma X5C for line of sight practice. I want to move up to something slightly larger with brushless that can carry a runcam or Mobius. I don't need a lot of speed, I'm more interested in run time and stability. Is the 450 build the step up? Or is there a a slightly smaller in-between model?
Hi, I followed through your video completly and built a quad. I got the newer FS-T6 controller though. When I try to save the PID instance 2 into accesory 0 I am not getting a check, instead I am getting a cross. how do I program pid tuning into the nobe i'm not using. please help.
Yes I am going to, crazy thing, you got screwed LOL, this little details that can get us in frustrationlandya GRRRR, happy you discovered it, but some time we expend so much time trying to figured out problems caused by almost invisible details like this one than maybe we end up giving up with out figuring out what the hell was going on.
I was wondering how you get power to the receiver. From the video it looks like the esc's power the flight control board which then supplies power to the receiver?
Hi Andy I solved cabe but flips over when taking off.i follow the exactly same your instruction.Also I checked director of motor,checked motor wire all look OK but I don't understand why flips.can you help me please.thank you
Firstly I'd like to say that this is pretty neat and I'm totally new to RC flight, have built a few RC cars before but this looks like the next challenge for me, I'd love to build something along the same lines as you have in this video! Think this has inspired me to start a new project! Great videos!
If you don't mind me asking what are your contact details? Reason being is i'm probably going to build my first one based on this same design and you'll have established what could/should have been done differently during building it in the first place :) As a total noob it'd be great to have a bit of "1-to-1" support, I've only ever built from kits so advice on different parts etc would be nice, I do plan to upgrade it with FPV after I've got the hang of flying it in general so I'd like to keep that option open, thanks in advance :) in the meantime I shall watch the next video! :)
+AndyRC I want to build a quad copter similar to your but I have a question. Do you half to program Simonk esc with a programming card or can I just hook them up and configure them with my cc3d flight controller?
I've followed your video in great detail a few times. I'm unable to find the parts as you were... Any recommendations insofar as a vendor that can provide all of the parts? Would I do better long-term to go with the F3 V4 Racing flight controller? THe transceiver (flight transmitter/receiver/controller) - that you used, I've seen upgraded ones - but no matter the upgrade, they all seem to be limited with 6 inputs back to the controller - hence, my software to take advantage of those receive ports. Is this ornal? Is it because multiple things can be read on a given receive line? (i.e. altitude and / or GPS data coming in on the same line (R0, for example), and on R1 maybe I get other weather data, R2 other telemetry data? While I love the 250 size and 450 as well, I'm looking at a 450 or larger, primarily for aerial photography. I've purchased the more expensive units - XIRO the best fr very smooth video while getting enough payload for me to mount 2 batteries on the unit and a cross-over that allows me to switch from an almost dead batttery to the fully charged secondary one. This I've done successfully with XIRO but not with DJI units (F 3 and 4) because of the way the XIRO is built - it's much more extensible. But I'dd love to try and build something even better... thoughts??
Watched the whole vid in one sitting.GREAT vid totally enjoyable. Thanks for your time and effort
ALLINGREENBERG ah thank you. it totally makes it worth my while to see comments like this. cheers
This has been the heroic time period of quadcopter flying. Amazing to see how much technology has improved since. Great video review.
I remember back in the day, loves to watch the whole process, from buying to building. Nowadays im all about ready to flies
Every 2016 build...250mm frame. 2205 racestar motors. 3/4 s 1500. CC3D fc with openpilot. Blheli 20amp escs. radiolink tx/rx
Excellent, excellent video m8, learned a few things in this most notably about the motor kv rating, enjoyed watching 👍
Hey Andy and others,
After a few months of waiting on parts and building. I have finally finished the quadcopter, today I flew the 3rd maiden, as the first 2 failed. That's why I would like to advise people who plan on building this quad about a few things:
Firstly, do not get the alien x frame, get the cheaper 450 size f450 frame copy, which has integrated pcb. (I ended up buying this one)
Secondly, get better ESC's, because all of my ESC's started to stop working one for one, I recommend you get the better ESC's used in the high end quadcopter series on this channel.
Lastly, get enough props, although mentioned in the video, some people tend to forget this (me).
I would like to thank you Andy for the work put in to this video because this has helped me enormously in my own project.
+Tobias Veerkamp no problem :) My ESC are still working. but u can see I moved on to the higher end build also
Hmm I'm thinking about building it as my first quad copter, how much is it in total? :)
+GreenArt4 I created my own spreadsheet on prices and sources based on this video. Maybe it can help you: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jNVvUdmsWTabGDjqgGC21ukJqEW7q0NetiZeiHkXWew/edit?usp=sharing.
I have been into quads for a few years now, always with the intention of building one but I could never find step by step instructions through the whole thing including a parts list and programming. Now that I have seen this video, I am finally going to build my first large quad and get into many more aspects of the hobby that I've been too intimidated to try. Thank you so much for all the effort you put into this video. I, for one, benefited enormously from it.
+Sam M no problem good to hear cheers!
How much did the whole build cost?
I opened all the links and added up and as of today, the entire cost to build this project would be $245.78.
Isaac Watkins not cheap then
Considering a RTF quad of this size is $500+, it kinda is. You must just be too poor for this hobby
Burks that's fucked up. too poor for this sport? douche
he is too poor for quads.. and other stuff
I just finished my first flight test using your great video and fantastic instructions. This is the first quad I have built and no previous experience with model aircraft or RC vehicles. I do have an electronics background and worked on the flight controller for the F14 Tomcat back in 1967 and the CC3D controller is more sophisticated. I recently became a great grandfather so I may be the oldest of your fans. Thank you.
thanks for the story Jim. enjoy flying!
Which size of the screw you've use to mouting the motor to the arm??? M3 or M2.5?????
I have A2212/13T 1000KV motors mounted with M3 x 8mm screws and lock washers.
Jim Cameron Size screw is M3x8mm for your motor? But do you know size of the screw mouting DJI 2212 980kv to Alien X mode??
No, I do not know.
Flight time and total price??
I only know about the flight time what I heard in the end he said around 10 minutes.
thanks dude
RUclips decided I needed to watch this in 2021. It is still educational even though precisely none of it is relevant 6 years later. I'm enjoying it!
Lesson learned : buy quality parts :)
+Mike Dart Got some cheap motors... Plugged them in and they burned out.. GG
lol
Hi I just wanted to let you know I've just completed my 1st quad and it's 100% based on this video. I really appreciate your attention to detail. Mine wasn't without issues too since my FC was bricked from the factory. Other than that, it went really well. I'm giving this to my son as his birthday present and I have you to thank for it. Keep up the excellent work!
wonderful! yes it very rarely goes without issues. a lovely present. cheers
it would've been better if it had gps
$20 gps + $9 OSD + $5 FTDI adapter = 10 times better Quad. Only thing is, that is huge can of worms that nobody wants to explain to newbies which I completely understand.
not true check out the high end version i did.. truth is no one wants to pay the amount u need to get decent results 20 dollar gps = flys back to china
AndyRC haha you have a recommendation? im thinking of going naza
YoSneeze surely you also have the cost of buying a flight controller that can use gps
What an awesome video. Line by line I ordered it all that was the best informative build video ever. slow and steady, understandable, and patient. Thanks so much I subbed because you are awesome! I dont understand why other's don't make videos like this, they either talk to fast or become lazy and don't mention things...Incredibly accurate and enjoyable video! After wanting a huge quad, I bought 2 of these frames and spent days looking for a good informative and accurate video before I came across yours. With this information you have explained everything I need to build any quad copter really. Thats a great achievment , thanks again!
What a trip, watching this from the perspective of someone who only joined the hobby about 2 years ago.
exactly what i was looking for all day
theres a serious lack of in-depth tutorial for that topic, thanks for the video:)
Fridollio G no problem good luck with the build
Just a couple of months ago I run into this video. Happy to report that my first quad was built successfully. Thanks AndyRc! Your videos were really helpful!
+Dimitris Anagnostou great to hear and glad to help! cheers
After about ten minutes of this video I opened up a chrome tab and started looking for parts. I got a bundle of motors and ECUs for a great price. But in other respects a very similar kit. I got everything for about 100 bucks, well except the transmitter and receiver. Found one locally for a similar price so I will be getting that after the other parts get here. Now the wait!
Great video, makes the first proper build from scratch a little less daunting.
TheAudiophile34™ congratulations good luck on the build :) its not hard at all just time consuming
Great inspiring video. Nice to see the problems and frustrations as they arose as well as the diagnosis and resolution
Good work - and the fault-finding part is especially worthwhile. So often those intractable problems have a simple but invisible cause.
More flashbacks for me, I still have a couple of open pilot flight boards that still work. OK, I don't use them anymore. Loved watching this trip down memory lane.
Could you make a battery guide video? I;m working to build this current set up but would be cool to learn more about batts and what this set up could take. Thanks
+Brad Moss (Parkourbrad) sure, in the meantime go and check out rcmodelreviews he has some great vids on batteries cheers
Thanks. Just ordered all the parts. Great video. Will be building two. Only thing different is that I will construct the frame myself. Daddy and son project.
+Earth Brother 7 sounds great. good luck with it!
9 years ago, i followed this video tutorial to build my first drone... this really does bring back memories
AndyRC Many thanks for the detailed video. Especially the portion on tuning, nothing was making sense to me regarding this up till now. Very informative info.
Great video, i have been coming back to this a lot as im currently building my first Quadcopter (450) i have been buying the parts week by week and the final bits should arrive tommorow. Thanks Andy for your very helpful and well explained videos.
+Budgie RC glad to be of help enjoy your build!
man we've come a long way. what a flashback :)
Thank you for this Video! I built nearly exact this quad (just with a 3d printed spyda 500 frame) and it flies extremely stable. Thanks to you AndyRC!
I am considering building a quadcopter myself , and this set up is fantastic , i am going up with this , nice video by the way , i so it from the start to end without skipping anything XP, nicely done
Hi Andy, your videos are awesome! So than you for that. It is really nice to see a person like you, going through the all steps in building the drone. Like you I want to design my own drone, but it must be able to 'follow me' and the camera must be able to capture me. I do not want to buy something which is already made, as it is very interesting and rewarding when you have your own quad-copter in the sky. Can you please explain in your next video :) what components I would need to buy, and how to set it up, and where to buy it, etc.. Anyway, looking for your further videos. Thank you,
Marcus.
Excellent vid and THANKS for taking the time and effort to share. Starting a build in about a month, as just ordered the same frame last night, before viewing this today....LOL. On the slow boat from BG.
My first build, though should, should be a bit easier, hopefully, as chopping a WL V303 and maybe a CX 20 to do. Haven't tested all the parts yet to see what I will be using.
Was well worth watching just for the motor mount screw tip, as something so simple but makes for a really bad experience if not knowing and was an issue. You definitely have more patience than myself.
Thanks for the video! just subscribed today after watching the phone FPV video. I was actually going back and forth all day today, looking at prices and parts. Haven't even received my quad yet so I don't have to program it or linking the transmitter yet but I'm so glad you included that. I actually downloaded openpilot already just because it works for mac too so I can use it when I bring my laptop along to fly. Thanks again.
Things have changed somewhat since you made this Andy. You can now buy a full kit with everything but the battery and transmitter for around £80 and the transmitter can be had for £34. For less than £150 you can have one of these with GPS as well. Something I may build next winter.
Thanks for this very entertaining build.
It's a worthwhile build and AndyRC has done an great job of documenting this build! Finished this 450 build a few weeks ago, it took a while but got there in the end! The great thing about this build is that you can add and take away gear as needed. I've used a water noodle as landing padding for my build and lot's of tape, zip-ties and extra foam. It flies quite nicely now on Libre-pilot..
I didn't wait until winter and I am just starting to assemble the many parts I bought individually inspired by this video I have updated to Omnibus and got all my electronics into the small space of an X-525 with no spaghetti showing ;)
Thank you so much for recording this video and showing how to build a quadcopter step by step. I will be following your steps as soon as I can and will hopefully be flying it with the FPV system I am using on my syma X8W. cheers!!!
+Eduardo Agustin Vendrell del Río wonderful. good luck :)
I have one doubt Andy, is it possible to use a landing gear on this setup so I can attach a gimbal at the bottom of the quadcopter?
+AndyRC I would like to save a bit of cash buying the propellers from banggood, which of these do you think would do the job?
www.banggood.com/search/dji-propeller.html
cheers!
+Eduardo Agustin Vendrell del Río I don't think they sell the keyed hole at banggood. you could message customer services to see if they are keyed
thank you so much andy, although open pilot did not work anymore libre pilot was just as good and it supported cc3d devices. thanks again bro!
yes this vids quite old now cheers
I'm just getting into this hobby and this video was amazing dude.
+James Gibson thank you :) glad you enjoyed it
hi andy! i dont know what to do
today i got all the parts and when i got to calibrate the motor onley motor number 4 spin!
i pluged all the motor to line 4 one by one to check and all the motor and the esc ok!
i use open pilot 14.1 from the banggod site,
the other version 15.02.02 dont working for me.
any suggestoin?
Hi Andy. I've watched the whole video several times - its so informative and we owe you for taking your time to make these. I want to build this but with a gimbal and GPS. Did you ever add these? I have looked but can't find it. I check your channel every day now looking for new stuff!
this video is really helpful for me...each and every single point is explained detailed.really a good job done by u...hoping more videos from u...all the best
Andy thank you for all your efforts and sharing this video!
hahaha wow, troubleshooting can sometimes end up in some next level surprises... I was literally like :O when you showed the screws. I have had so many problems building my drones, a bixler 2 and a Finwing Sabre. But always keep trying to figure it out and the solution will show itself eventually.
I have just discovered a very expensive passion in quadcopters. ^^;; But I am totally going to create my own as you have done.
+EdmondDantesLeComte yes the cc3d is a very good option for starting. all the best
+AndyRC Thanks! Love your videos Sir. :D I can't wait to scrounge up the money to blow on this sort of thing. haha So far I keep running outside all my free time and playing with my little 90$ quadcopter. NEED MOAR BATTERIES.. lol
i started with a 40 quid hubsan and still fly it so thats fine
I would love it if you showed the steps on how to put it all together because I would love to build one but it would be my first time. what do you recommend I do?
+Israel Rivera this video shows all the steps you need.
Ho...really good video. Do you have an updated version of this video? I think some of these parts are no longer sold.
that being said this was really helpful to watch you go to the buying process and did help me and understanding what parts are actually necessary to do this. I would really appreciate an updated video as I have always wanted to build my own quadcopter.
A big thank you AndyRC...
There are a lot showing big interest in this project and I don't blame them...
As a total beginner I was considering a ready made small one... Forget that as this looks like the way to go... unless of course you can buy a DGI Phantom or Inspire...
+Stephen Rea with a home made one if you crash it you can fix it :)
Thanks for this bro. This inspired me and finally come up to a decision on to moving to brushless quad. I'll be doing your build, but with some of my preference. Thanks again for sharing this.
+RC404 great hope it goes well!
I'm in the U.s a and I'm gonna follow your vid from purchase to finish for my build thanks!
great no problem
Awesome! I'm a new subscriber and i love your micro stuff! They are my favorite things to fly but ill be wanting to do one of these too! I've watched a lot of these build videos but yours was the only one that included the shopping bit! awesome idea and very helpful! looking forward to your new stuff!
Clyde Brown thank you. i love micros too. the next vid is another micro one. i wanted to show the shopping because it does much better to know what to search for than post links that dont stand the test of time. glad you enjoyed. cheers for watching and also taking the time to comment
I just purchased all these parts but I'm not sure how to put them all together can you do a short vid on how to put together each piece one time please
Its frustating to solder without proper tools. Its hard to keep stuff in place.
Quadcopters are amazing. I want to build a 250quad before the summer. Hope i do it soon. What foruns do you use?
Really liked the video - of course I realise it's a little old now. I am going to build a bigger quad for aerial photography, if you have a little time could you suggest any changes/additions you would add knowing more now than you did then? I would really appreciate it - or if not if you know of a similar but more up to date build video you could recommend. Thank you.
Thanks for the video, it's been very helpful. A lot of the links don't work any more, the video being several years old now. As the original quad frame is no longer available, could you recommend an alternative?
Nice build,works good.but i'cant trim its flyes backwards i have to youse the stick to hold IT stady,wat can i do?
I really enjoyed the video and I learned a lot I have not started this hobby yet, but would love to. I think you did a great job.
+Just the Good Bits Good Tips for Life thanks glad you enjoyed
great job man, im glad it all worked out well in the end.
im just starting to research some components and ill be starting to build very soon.
great good luck with it :-)
Hi Andy, finished my 450 quad built to your instructions a good while ago and it just sat there waiting for me to set up the controller as a 2nd attempt. First try at setup I too had a shorted motor resulting in a well-cooked ESC. I removed the motor from the frame and tested again with a multimeter and NO short. I suspect I was too generous when applying the loctite to the mounting screws and some of it 'set' and was 'bridging' onto the windings. Well, I did the setup yesterday and towards the end of the vehicle set up wizard I chose 'generic 450' settings and did not do any tuning afterwards. The maiden flight turned out great without any problems. I do have quite a bit of experience flying small quads which I think is advisable before flying one this size. Thanks for the video. PS could I use a 4 cell lipo instead of the 3 cell I am currently using?
u should be ok with a 4s as long as u dont try to carry any payload. cheers
Hi Andy. I am starting to buy the parts for my first build. I can't decide on the flight controller. I really want GPS and altitude hold. Naza Lite seems favourite - what do you think?
Great video!!! I'm gonna make my own quadcopter this summer!!!
+Yawei Chen Do You understand him????? Can you make me understand????
Thanks for the nice video. Could you please do a tutorial for balancing the blades?
Fazir M Fahmy yes i have this same request thanks. i like this channel, its so matterfact
Great video! I'm thinking about getting into building my own quad after seeing it. Some of the bits you mention (for example the frame) don't seem to be available on bang good any more. Are there any other places that I could / should be looking?
Andy - great work. I'd sure like some pointers on where to get the complete parts - including GPS and camera with gimbal - Great job - I would suggest a link to parts and plans for novice builders - but I've built a 3d printer and am confident I could do this....
Thanks!
check out the high end build series for GPS and the zhiyun review for a good gimbal. cheers!
Hi Andy in the process of building and i am stuck, what esc programmer did you use. Thanks All the best
Jace.
I didn't use any ESC programmer in this build . just used default settings cheers
WOW, you got about the same shopping list as me!!! Subscribed just for that!!!
BIll Georgoulakis they are the cheapest on the market so I think they will be popular :) ill be doing a non budget build next
did u use the same motor after discovering the problem cuz today i faced the same senario
Great video as I am curious about multi as I am a heli guy. I would opt for non-rosin core, lead free solder. The rosin will not lead to cold (bad) solder joints. Its the solder technique. Heat the part, not the solder, until the solder melts into the opening/wire. Placing the tip in the hole (that is actually there to assist in solder stay) is not the best technique as the potential is very likely that the tip will melt the solder and not the heated part. Those solder connections have a potential to be a cold joint.
I am gonna make this quad but with f450 frame,can you tell me some more tequnique for setup and some more cheap parts?
Thanks for the effort you put into making your video well done on both it and the quad you built. Inspired now to keep going with my own build. The main difference is I am using a quatro all in one ESC and 15x15mm stick to bulld the arms of of my quad.
is it good to drink the alcohol after cleaning the flux in the shot glass?
Dear,
Really nice tuto thank you verry much!
i have a issue with the stabilization! The quad is oscilating. I think is the PID setting wrong ? could you give me your setting?
thank you verry much
+Xavier Munger yes the pid is wrong you need to connect channel 6 up to the pid controller as shown in this video and alter it while you fly.
hi Andy I have build this with inspiration from this video!! thanks I have test flown it and first test was good but on second flight half way through flight quadcopter just cut off no controls work it fell to ground !! I had to reinstall from flight pilot then all worked good . I haven't flown it yet since but im wondering if it could be cold solder on bullit connector as I didn't achol them! can this be the problem??? hope you can help.thanks,chris
+chrissy roberts now that you know the correct wires to solder, cut off the connectors and solder direct. the bullet connectors are not much good
Hi Andy,
Great project, is this project to be continued?
You talked about adding a gimbal and other transmitter,.
Maybe if you have these videos online you could add them to the description?
He added fpv but after that he did a series for another 450 quad just look in the playlist and he has a video about two cheap 2d gimbals
Totally wonderful video. Thank you. This is something I hope to do in the future.
thanks for the video. i am new to quadcopters and it was very helpful! keep it up mate
Can it handle a gimbal and 160g camera?
Can you ad a list of parts in description?
Have it a headless mode? (You probably say that, but im asking, because wideo is quite long)
Thank you so much! I was inspired by this video to order parts for a very similar F450-style quadcopter. I ordered all the parts from eBay and the total came to US$157.63 (about UK£102). I already have a 4-channel transmitter so that saved some but had to add a LiPo charger ($17.42) and chose to add prop guards ($8.28) and a prop balancing tool ($3.78). All the parts are expected to arrive by the end of September (in about 8 weeks) but may arrive by the end of August (3 weeks).
John Wasser good luck with the build thanks for watching the vid
+AndyRC My cheap quadcopter is almost ready to fly! I'm temporarily using a Deans battery connector in place of the XT60 connector that has not arrived yet. Parts cost (everything but a transmitter) was US$117.61 (about UK£76.34). That includes adding the propeller guards. Everything was from eBay, until the $14.00 F450-style frame got stuck in China. Got one for $13.95 via Amazon. Beginners will need a transmitter, LiPo charger, soldering equipment, etc.
cool hope it flys well let me know :) waiting for parts is the worst bit, which is why i now buy lots of spares of the stuff im buying. its more expensive but less waiting times. so i always buy 5 ESC 5 motors etc and lots of props! although its never enough props lol
+AndyRC IT FLIES! I just took it outdoors for the first time. The CC3D flight controller kept it nicely stable. I was able to get it to hover and move in various directions. It currently has a bit of drift forward and left but I should be able to trim that out at the transmitter.
Now I wonder if the GPS module I have will work on it. :)
awesome. the gps will only work on the revo version if i recall
When I check rate stabilization then save and close openpilot, when i open openpilot back up it is unchecked again?
+AndyRC I have assembled all the parts to build my quadcopter except my motors. I went to just see if my esc would make a beeping sound to check if they work but when I checked they made no sound. but remember I did not have my motors attach to my esc yet. You think my esc are broken or is it because I have not yet connected my motors?
Could you mount a GoPro in this specific build you made? I think you actually answered a comment similar to mine, but i want to know if i have to modify something significantly, of just mount the GoPro on it and fly it. Nice and helpfull video by the way, Thanks!
Thank you, it was informative and interesting. Personally I would have liked to see more of the build side of the quad especially the electrical side. I am pondering whether to buy or build. I thought I had purchased a 8C quad but they took my money and I got nothing in return. Did I feel stupid, yes. Has it taught me a lesson, yes. All I wanted to do was to fly in my area. I am disabled and the quad was my freedom card but hey that's my idiotic side. Hope you added more to it as I would love to see it flying again without the wind. Take care, be well.
You are a really confident speaker :) What I need to get better at
And subed
Greetings, I am using FS-i4 instead of your controller. The librepilot won't detect any pressed button, only throttles were detected and not perfectly.
I just want to say one things...thank you very much bro !! :-) !!!
I have already had lots of quadcopters, but I wanted to build my own quadcopter...However, I didn't know how to make it...until I saw your videos...It's a great job !! And sorry fot my English , it isn't my first language...
By a French guy xD
+Russell 74 productions great thanks for the support and glad you found useful cheers
Really interesting video. I decided to get myself an MJX X600 last week and I've already decided that I want a proper 450 quad to mount a camera on so this is exactly the sort of project I have in mind. I'm planning to spend a little more than the bare minimum but still looking to upgrade over time rather than try to build the ultimate quad right off the bat but I think you've saved me a few quid too. :)
One question, I have a 6 channel controllerI got with the X600 - can I use that with another quad to start off with or do you have to buy a matched controller and receiver?
amazing vid, really nice to see so many steps. sure looks like a lot of work put in (quad and video)
+ForceCrystal yeah its worth it though
Great video, really outstanding to put something from start to finish! I've been flying toy grade like the Syma X5C for line of sight practice. I want to move up to something slightly larger with brushless that can carry a runcam or Mobius. I don't need a lot of speed, I'm more interested in run time and stability. Is the 450 build the step up? Or is there a a slightly smaller in-between model?
dear andy can you suggest 1045 keyed hole propeller for 2212 motor,,please
and please tell me Nylon Propeller or carbon fiber propeller is better ?
Hi, I followed through your video completly and built a quad. I got the newer FS-T6 controller though. When I try to save the PID instance 2 into accesory 0 I am not getting a check, instead I am getting a cross. how do I program pid tuning into the nobe i'm not using. please help.
Fantastic video clear explanation helps me forward.
Thanks Andy
great video researching what i want to build.. first time owning one also
Love your videos man! I haven't seeing all yet but I know I will love it, thanks for uploading this one, for sure I will build it thanks to you :)
Multirotor Go thanks so much for your comment, hope you enjoy
cheers
Yes I am going to, crazy thing, you got screwed LOL, this little details that can get us in frustrationlandya GRRRR, happy you discovered it, but some time we expend so much time trying to figured out problems caused by almost invisible details like this one than maybe we end up giving up with out figuring out what the hell was going on.
i was so close to giving up. im glad i didnt. i had a lot of fun with this quad not its working
I was wondering how you get power to the receiver. From the video it looks like the esc's power the flight control board which then supplies power to the receiver?
+jcl311 that is correct yes the bec in the ESC
Thank you for the effort your put in this video. Thank you for your time.
Neutral MsT no problem sir, hope you find use form it
Hi Andy I solved cabe but flips over when taking off.i follow the exactly same your instruction.Also I checked director of motor,checked motor wire all look OK but I don't understand why flips.can you help me please.thank you
it could be number of things. pids too high. controls reversed. props on wrong way. rates too high. damaged ESC, damaged FC
Thanks for putting time into making this. I am building one as well.
***** no problem at all good luck with the build
Hey bro nice video now you inspired me to built a quadcopter keep it up good work.
Firstly I'd like to say that this is pretty neat and I'm totally new to RC flight, have built a few RC cars before but this looks like the next challenge for me, I'd love to build something along the same lines as you have in this video! Think this has inspired me to start a new project! Great videos!
+KamikazeXeX great! welcome to the flying side of it :-)
If you don't mind me asking what are your contact details?
Reason being is i'm probably going to build my first one based on this same design and you'll have established what could/should have been done differently during building it in the first place :)
As a total noob it'd be great to have a bit of "1-to-1" support, I've only ever built from kits so advice on different parts etc would be nice, I do plan to upgrade it with FPV after I've got the hang of flying it in general so I'd like to keep that option open, thanks in advance :) in the meantime I shall watch the next video! :)
+KamikazeXeX you can ask me anything you like on the comments or RUclips message. I don't really check anything else :-)
+AndyRC Great! no problem! I'll give you a message as soon as I get to starting on building my shopping list :)
+AndyRC I want to build a quad copter similar to your but I have a question. Do you half to program Simonk esc with a programming card or can I just hook them up and configure them with my cc3d flight controller?
totally wanna try this now thanks for all the information!
I've followed your video in great detail a few times. I'm unable to find the parts as you were... Any recommendations insofar as a vendor that can provide all of the parts?
Would I do better long-term to go with the F3 V4 Racing flight controller?
THe transceiver (flight transmitter/receiver/controller) - that you used, I've seen upgraded ones - but no matter the upgrade, they all seem to be limited with 6 inputs back to the controller - hence, my software to take advantage of those receive ports. Is this ornal? Is it because multiple things can be read on a given receive line? (i.e. altitude and / or GPS data coming in on the same line (R0, for example), and on R1 maybe I get other weather data, R2 other telemetry data?
While I love the 250 size and 450 as well, I'm looking at a 450 or larger, primarily for aerial photography. I've purchased the more expensive units - XIRO the best fr very smooth video while getting enough payload for me to mount 2 batteries on the unit and a cross-over that allows me to switch from an almost dead batttery to the fully charged secondary one. This I've done successfully with XIRO but not with DJI units (F 3 and 4) because of the way the XIRO is built - it's much more extensible. But I'dd love to try and build something even better... thoughts??
Really nice video! I'm going to build one myself too, so this was very helpful.