500 lb. koolaid man

I'm going to follow the RC Powers plans and tips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zq6Jao9ukI

Using this setup (seen this exact setup in real life and liked the performance)
10a esc http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=6455
1400Kv Brushless motor http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...ushless_motor_
500mah lipo (brand: lightmax, also hobbycity)
8x6 prop

1. Which would you recconend I build with, depron or EPP foam? I was thinking depron because it'll make a more indestructible plane but I'd like your opinion. At a local meet I went to for the first time last Friday I think most guys had homemade EPP foamies.

2. At the local meet I didn't take note of whether most of the people were using 2 cell or 3 cell lipos. The lipos were so skinny though that I think they were 2 cell. Any recommendation on which to use? Or any guesses on which was probably being used with an 8X6 prop? Thanks!

MichaelJH

My Feedback: (21)

Hi,

   I would use depron, but I can't find it.  Where do you get it?

I use a lot of the Hobby City zippy lipos and really like them.

I have a 6.5oz  foamy with a 8x6 prop and I am using 2 cell 350mah.

What kind of foamy are you bilding?

Michael

500 lb. koolaid man

2 cell then, thanks! I'm going to order some parts tonight.

rcfoam.com carries EPP, depron, etc.

Info on foams
http://www.ezonemag.com/pages/faq/a803.shtml

I'm going with EPP. Got it mixed up which is stronger. Depron is like molded meat trays. When it breaks, it snaps / cracks. EPP on the other hand rips and tears, but it's practically indestructible when used for rc airplanes, usually it "breaks" from being used and flexxed a lot, the fibers start to come loose. Again, you'll get a ton more flights out of EPP and it's practically indistructable in comparison, it'll "bounce back into place" rather than snap or crack if you crash. I think air hogs aero aces are made of EPP and the tails are depron.

I haven't decided on what to build yet. Either a normal looking 3D foamie using the RC powers free plans
http://www.********.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625

Or I'm going to build a PBF (Pizza Box Flyer) (also free plans) I've seen one in real life, it's extremely stable.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=981793

theradioflyer

I just saw a post today about someone using 30"x20" redi-foam board bought at Dollar Tree and using a "LA's orange cleaner/degreaser to remove the paper. I thought I might try this out as well because I'm out of 6mm depron.
Here's the link to where I found that info as well as plans for a great hybrid pattern/3d plane~
48'' GRX-V1 3D Foamy - Page 5 - RC Groups
Others scaled down the plane and posted in the thread.

I'm designed and made my own foamies the last couple of years. It very easy and rewarding for how cheap it is.

Have fun and Blessings,

Jay

MichaelJH

My Feedback: (21)

Thanks for the info on the foam.   I just desined a yak 55 and am hoping it all works out well.

This is a GREAT servo for a 5-9 ounce foamy.
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s.../_.08sec_/3.9g

also if you have a bigger foamy this is a great sevo for a 12-20 ounce foamy
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...ec_Micro_Servo

Michael

500 lb. koolaid man

I'm afraid that my 3D foamy will probably be in between 8-12 oz., I'm guessing on the higher side. The extra power and less picky voltage requirement probably makes the HXT900's the better choice in my case, despite the extra 15 grams. Plus I've already got 5 new HXT900's laying around lol. Thanks for recommending them though, I'll probably end up buying some in the future just to try them out. Also I ordered a 500mah battery but a 350mah battery would have shredded another 14 grams. So if I got a lighter battery and servos, I'd reduce the planes weight by 29 grams, or 1.15 oz. Does anybody know if that'll make a noticeable amount of difference when it comes to flight characteristics?

Monday night I bought the motor, esc, 2 batteries (everything listed in my origional post),
and this 0.14 oz synthesized FM reciever http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5781&Product_Name=Corona_Synthesized_Receiver_4Ch_72Mhz _(v2)
I also picked up 6 GWS 8x6 props today from my LHS.
Total so far (not including the servos or Tx I've already got): ~$70

Still to order from rcfoam.com,
10 sheets EPP 1.3 lb/cu-ft 6mm 12x36" or 18x36"
Carbon fiber 3mm tube for reinforcement, not sure how much yet
Carbon fiber tube for main part of pushrods

And...
Special tape for hinges
control horns
A few more servo to control items

Should total around $110-$130

I originally thought it would be a much cheaper build but it should definitely be worth it. I figured it would be expensive before I ended up ordering things anyways. Found an article in the paper for a local community center that has RC meets every Friday from 6-8, went last week with nothing to fly and had a blast watching planes hover in the gym so that's the main inspiration for this build, hopefully I'll be hovering with them soon Gotta practice more on Realflight G3.5 but I'm getting there[8D]

Oh, one last thing, all the items I ordered from Hobbyking on monday night will probably take right around 2 weeks to arrive, that's about how long my other 2 orders from them have taken.

Also thanks theradioflyer for that info, I'll check out that thread and I'll definitely pick up some of that foam if I can find it local, even if it's just for practice cuts and such it sounds like a great value.

Sorry my post turned out so long[X(]

theradioflyer

You'd notice that much weight but it would just make it feel more floaty. I'm sure the heavier set-up will work out perfect with moreflight time as well.

BTW all of the expense is upfront, it's much cheaper after the first one.

Blessings,

Jay

500 lb. koolaid man

Thanks! Very helpful