Box-O-Copter! (Toolbox Quadcopter)

by FliteTest | May 26, 2014 | (18) Posted in Just Fun

Making a quadcopter out of a cheap toolbox we were able to invest our money into the brains!Here's the setup we have inside our Toolbox-o-Copter (aka: the brains):

For the FPV setup we have a Fatshark 250mW 5.8 GHz Transmitter V2 , 3 cell battery and our GoPro. Once again, we're using our SpiroNET Omni - 5.8GHz CP Antenna with our FPV setup.All you need for a multi-rotor frame is rigidity, lightweight materials, and strength where you need.This was just a fun project we wanted to try out for no other reason other than to see if if could work!Be sure to share your multirotor and DIY aircraft designs with us in our forums and on our facebook page!

Alex was flying his BlackOut Mini H-Quad to get all of the air to air video you see in this episode. 

 

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COMMENTS

dvdt on May 26, 2014
What motors are you using?
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McSaucyPants on June 11, 2014
I think they are the 850kv motors from 3d Robotics. It would make sense when the other electronics are from there. Looks like their props too.
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rcflyer729 on May 26, 2014
The apm is not cheaper that the naza light. The naza light with gps is $160 where as the apm alone without gps is $160 I don't know if u meant the naza v2 or not.
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Gargoil on May 26, 2014
http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/flight-controllers/readytoflyer-2-6.html

AMP GPS OSD 915mhz radio and power module for $130.50 and to south africa where i am $8 for shipping this is a great product
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eagle4 on May 26, 2014
A real shame they didn't show how they made it, or at least give a better look at its construction and antivibration dampners that Josh Scott talked about.
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Tom_moore on May 26, 2014
cool. it would be nice to see a new tricopter or tcopter or something
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RCBernDog on May 26, 2014
Build video!
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bicyclemonkey on May 27, 2014
For sure!!! I'd love to see how they attached the arms to the box!
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BluBunnyRC on June 7, 2014
I agree, but add a newbie setup

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spastickitten on March 14, 2015
they just bolted them on the little shelf thing inside
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onelesseye on May 26, 2014
I would agree. A build article/video would be great.
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BluBunnyRC on May 26, 2014
Could you please make a build video!?!?!
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BluBunnyRC on May 27, 2014
With a newbie setup instead of apm, how about a kk2 or something?

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RodS on May 26, 2014
This is great! Looks like it flies beautifully!

I'm (slowly) putting together an H-Quad from your plans. I'm planning on using the same setup with the APM 2.6, 915 mhz Radio, and GPS module. I have a lot to learn, but this is a fun journey!

I'm a 65-year old kid just getting into RC and lovin' it.
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bigrocketnerd on May 26, 2014
This is scratching at some serious potential guys! How about a blind challenge, based on the "Box-o-copter" concept, to come up with the coolest/ fastest/ versatile/etc bla bla version of the BOC. Awards for originality of course. I'm going to buy my cheep tool box tomorrow and scheme a bit.

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Crashpilot1000 on May 27, 2014
Heavy and bulky like 3DR Iris. Magnetometer next to the battery, no airflow on esc....
Hard to see where the benefit is. A simple woodframe could do better...
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lracnolip on May 27, 2014
Alex loves that little 250, do another show on it with more detail on it.
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bladezx2 on May 27, 2014
It's amazing how well it flies considering the flight controller is not centered on the airframe. Did you have to make tweaks to the APM to adjust for it being off to one side ?
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quarryforman2 on May 27, 2014
I see the bigger picture. That was designed to send food to the crew during Flite Fest 2014 LOL.
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Lenn11 on May 27, 2014
hi very nice the (tool)boxcopter, but can you give a little credit to "Jake Wells" he made the idea come to live with build tips ect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeTZaXV_G50&list=PLz557Qu0twA5dWDxmpLr46vYujll0vAAb
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MT Alex on May 28, 2014
I was thinking the same thing, I'm glad you brought this up.
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notsane on May 27, 2014
The arms are mounted to the bottom of the toolbox's tray. Slots are cut in the toolbox sides so that the tray can sit in place while the arms stick out. Rubber bands hold the toolbox up against the arms for flight. All flight electronics are mounted to the tray while the video camera and transmitter (with separate battery) resides in the bottom of the toolbox. You could probably LOS fly the tray without the toolbox. I would think that an "H" pattern for the arms (with solid front and rear arms) would have been more rigid than the forward and rearward sweep patterns that they choose. I like the tray idea ... I think I'll rip apart my quad and build another around a toolbox tray ...
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Andrew_Hamblyn on May 27, 2014
Great build! Have you guys given up on Hobby King? Not a link to HK to be seen anywhere...
:-)
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blaer on May 28, 2014
Add a servo operated little ramp at the front (or back) and combine it with a small rc car.
Oooh! The possibilities! ;)
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Rockisland on May 28, 2014
Is it just me or does Alex have a striking resemblance to Ralph the sheepdog from Looney Toons @ 4:49 in the video. No offence Alex! Nice Job guys and yes a build video would be great!
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petedotnl on May 29, 2014
if you put the carrying handle down , you get 0.1mph extra speed!!
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msh312b on June 3, 2014
Cool to see the Video! when I came and visited Flite Test, Josh B. let me fly this and it was my first time ever flying a quad...He sure has a lot of faith in people. It flew great! I only wished it wasn't getting dark or we could have flown it longer. Great Work!! can't wait for the build Video, I already have my tool box ready!
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chlguy on June 12, 2014
I was thinking a way to do a quick collapse of the booms into the box for storage and transport. What a rugged way to transport copter and case all in one.
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chlguy on June 12, 2014
Oooo..and controller carry for transport, as well. Hmmmm.....Ideas, ideas, ideas. :-)
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Mammothwingfpv on June 13, 2014
Great video and super funny idea! I only wish you guys would give more build data in the description. Motors, Props, ecs, ect. Keep it up!
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hotroder69 on June 17, 2014
I found the boxes at "Lowes" Now what?
Keep up the great work.
thanks
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Duffusmonkey on June 25, 2014
I like the idea so much I am making my own with a little twist. I am going to use a $5 plastic ammo box from Harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/ammo-box-61451.html
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spastickitten on March 14, 2015
http://www.lowes.com/pd_336422-1156-9113SR_0__?productId=3355632
here is the tool box they used
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spastickitten on March 14, 2015
or http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=592420-61896-592420&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=50175969&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=rel&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
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zel123 on January 27, 2016
Just what I was looking for. I was searching for a service to merge PDF files and found a great service. By the way, if anyone is facing a problem of merging PDF files, I've found a free service here http://goo.gl/O2QQLw
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Box-O-Copter! (Toolbox Quadcopter)