Scott_nra

Here is a completed air frame of my new toy for you all to look at. The parts were cut by a freind (thanks Tom!) who had the idea of using a mid piece of foam instead of the CF fuse spar to stiffen the Fuselage. It is based on the 3DX plans. It worked! It also povides for a pretty stiff wing with the exta support of the lightly epoxied middle part.

Also gave the thing more "mass" to look at. I can't wait to get the rest of the gear for it and get it in the air. Still need my Li-po set and a speed control.

ZimboRaider

Fogive me asking but,

How much do these cost to build. I have heard a couple of talking abou them and was just wandering where I can get the plans you talked about. Or does it come as a kit?

patternflyer1

My Feedback: (11)

Zimbo, the plans for the regular 3dx are located at foamyfactory.com. They are a free download. I am in the process of building several. Probably just gonna carry em round to the fields and sell em. Nice planes.

ZimboRaider

I was just wandering if polystyrene(i think thats what you yankies will call it) will work.

I did a google search for depron and fan fold foam for New Zealand and couldn't find anything.
Thanks

Scott_nra

You buy the fan fold foam at a home center like Lowes for about $30. THere is enough fora bunch of planes in it, probably 10 or more. Also you can use depron foam board from a craft store that comes with paper on it. you have to soak that in water after cutting out your parts to remove the paper.

THat, epoxy and carbon fiber and your cost is probably about $10/bird for the airframe.

ZimboRaider

What is the fan fold foam used for? How stiff is it?

I also emailed a company nearby in Christchurch about buying a sheet of thier EPP foam(they build flying wings etc) Will this work?
Thanks

O2man

My Feedback: (5)

Fanfold is used as insulation and cushioning under flooring. It may only be known by that name in the US.

Try: http://www.depronusa.com/ for a good explanation.

mAvRiCk-inactive

I got to go to Lowes now...Can you still use the foam with the paper backing after soaking it in water?!?!?

Dan

patternflyer1

My Feedback: (11)

Well fan fold foam is a foam insulation. 1/4 inch varieties are more rare as they are not used quite as often. I tried to get some at 3 different Lowes in the bay area here and couldn't so ended up buying 4 pieces from www.depronusa.com and paid 37 dollars after paying double for the priority shipping which cost like 15 dollars. It's pretty cheap. And it's not super strong either but it's plenty strong for what we are using it for. depronusa is not out of the price range for this stuff. It's about the average price. I'm building the 3dx and a ultimate, both with the mid piece on the fuse. I might make some other small mod's 2. I can't wait till thursday or friday when my foam, motors, esc, and batteries show up. Hope to at least be flying the 3dx by Monday. Well if work doesn't get in the way. Thanks for the plans Tim if you read this.

zagibond

How are you planning on mounting the motor on your "fat boy"? My 3DX just about twists the carbon rod out of the Depron.

Kiwi, Zimbo raider, the 3DX is dirt cheap to build if you have the support hardware. Motor, servos, receiver aren't bad but if you only have a 3 channel radio, you will need to upgrade. Also you will probably end up going Lipo and that is where it gets really expensive. The Triton will run you about $120 and the 3cell 1500mAh about $50 a pop. Of course a brushless motor and ESC will set you back another $120.

If you just wanted a cheapie you could use the plans to build the plane and use heavier flight pack, NiMh batteris and not use channel 4. Problem is that the wing is flat and does not provide much lift. They are really not all that resiliant to crashes when compared to other offerings.

Sorry mate, that is my two cents worth.

ZimboRaider

Zagi,

I am learning on a glow trainer right now so I will try and get a job and then see what happens.

If you guys can maybe post what equipment you use on the 3DX that'll be great

Thanks

zagibond

Mine has the following:
3 Hitec Hs55
featherlite RX
GWS 350 D
1047 prop
Kokam 3cell 1500mAh
Hitec Eclipse TX
6mm Depron
13 ounces AUW
Are you a Zimbo or a Kiwi?

ZimboRaider

Zagi,

I was born in quite ol' Zimbabwe but moved to New Zealand 2 years ago.
Do you need a special ESC to handle Lithium Polymers?
What about GWS 8.8gram servoes.(Nano STD I think) these are the cheapest in New Zealand.
I like the look of the new Futaba 7CAF What do you think

Scott_nra

I am goig to mount the motor by using the same stick/cf rod method but with only a short piece of cf rod, not full length. I'll just take it back to the wing LE.

Using depron after soaking is fine, it dries. the blue foam is easier to work with though for the lazies like me.

zagibond

Why would you soak Depron?
I would be intersted to see if that works. I like the idea, just skeptical.

Zimbo,
The HS 55 weighs .28 ounces. Can't remember how to convert.
You are supposed to use a special ESC to protect the battery running too low
P.S. I was born in SA and now live with the Sepos.

Scott_nra

The only reason to soak it is if you by it by buying the poster board in a craft store that is depron core with paper laminated to it. The paper weighs a lot! Soaking lets you remove it.

ZimboRaider

DOes the 3dx have any aerofoil shape in the wing/horizontal taiplane? I was looking at the revised plans and can't see any.
I got an email back from the mfg in Christchurch. a real BIG sheet(can't quite remember the dimensions) is $180 new zealand. How much do I need?
If that will work then I can really get excited and start saving.
P.s-I will need a new radio as the one I have battery meter does'nt work.

Scott_nra

No Airfoil, flat as a pancake.

It might be cheaper for you to find someone in the states to buy a bundle of blue core (fan fold foam) and ship it to you. $180 for foam is nuts!

the bundles are about $30 here and I can't imagine ups to you costing $150.

ZimboRaider

scott,

that 180 was for a 2m x 1.5m sheet it is big. I will see if I can get a smaller sheet

zagibond

Even Depron will cost you less.
Give them a call, see if they will ship to New Zealand.

basmntdweller

My Feedback: (9)

The fanfold we use here in the states is 4 foot by 50 foot for usually less than $30. That equates to about 16m by 1.3m. It's called fanfold because it comes folded back on itself every 2 foot. That ends up being 25 sheets. I have built about a dozen of these and none has taken more than one sheet. After one is beyond repair or I just don't like it, I strip out the carbon rods and reuse them in the next plane. I am working on my first depron plane right now. It's a small copy of the Morris hobbies Sledge 540.
basmntdweller