Comment by Jeb Bailey on December 7, 2011 at 11:30am

The simplest option IMO would be to go with an arduplane, although I think you might have trouble building anything for $300.  We've been developing college level classes using arduplane for basic theory, so it's very doable.

I'd be interested to help out.  Where are you located?

Comment by ct on December 7, 2011 at 12:17pm

Jeb: I am in Atlanta, GA. You are right - $300 is really pushing the limit but is great goal to shoot for from an education perspective! More $$$ is probably likely but begins to limit involvement from a K-12 school perspective. This group is so talented I am counting on some out-of-the-box thinking about how to build a low-cost drone kit for education. Ultimately it may take some sort of sponsorship/subsidy.

Comment by Alfred Riopel on December 7, 2011 at 12:25pm

Building something like the EasyStar powered glider and using inexpensive components from places like HobbyKing, $300 for a finished DIY drone might be doable. The airframe could even be cut out of FanFold blue foam and hot glued together. Your local construction supply might even donate a block of FanFold. 

Comment by Vishal on December 7, 2011 at 12:40pm

I think if you buy in quantity, the cheapest quadcopter would be around $410-430 each.  

from DIY Drones store:
APM 2.0- $199.95
deans plugs- $3
propellers- $12

Turnigy 9x radio- $39.99
Turnigy plush25 esc $12X4= $48
motors $15x4= $60
3s lipo- $30

from Home Depot
enough lexan for one quad- $15
two 24" or 30" square aluminum towel bars from Home Depot- $8 or $10
additional hardware (nuts and bolts)- $8

from Radio Shack
at least 14guage wire- $6

This way you've got a quality setup that can be expanded upon by additional sensors and such later.

Comment by Vishal on December 7, 2011 at 12:43pm

With the above items you spread the cost of shipping since that can be expensive from places like Hobbyking.

Also you would need a battery charger and some power tools to do the drilling and cutting of the lexan and aluminum towel bars.

Comment by Kernal Panic on December 7, 2011 at 2:10pm

hit me up I have a box full of mic. stuff that would assist you with your build.

Comment by Andrew Lynch on December 7, 2011 at 2:10pm

I would look to the FIRST Robotics teams as a good outlet to spread the workshop. 

For example, as a FRC mentor, I would be happy to lead a workshop for students in Houston.   

Comment by Kernal Panic on December 7, 2011 at 2:11pm

forgot to add ill donate the stuff I dont want ur money it would be cool to help ya out.   I am building my drone for the boyscouts so I understand the budget crunch.

Kernal Panic

Comment by patrice.rance on December 7, 2011 at 2:19pm

Hi guys,

I build my Multicopter with only 150 euros.

 go to www.multiwii.com and you'll see how to do that .

Comment by mquintilian on December 7, 2011 at 2:51pm

I would go with the plane. Engineering wise planes teach a lot more(airfoil, weight .etc). I built a multicopter in grade 8 for about 200$ and getting everything to work right was a major headache because of issues with the esc.

Comment

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page