Summary

I wanted to build a light and powerful quadcopter as cheaply as possible. This is it. I've had a flew test flights, and it works really well (just need to learn to fly it better now.) It should be able to lift about 1kg of payload (not fully tested).

Instructions

Buy all the parts, then print the parts here: (total cost is around Â£200, total weight around 1.4kg)

From HobbyKing:
Code
Description

387000001
MultiWii 328P Flight Controller w/FTDI & DSM
1
Reserved
TR2217/20
Turnigy 2217 20turn 860kv 22A Outrunner
4
Reserved
TR_P25A
TURNIGY Plush 25amp Speed Controller
4
Reserved
017000063
10x4.5 SF Props 2pc Standard Rotation/2 pc R
4
Reserved
Z50003S-20
ZIPPY Flightmax 5000mAh 3S1P 20C
1
Reserved
ACC6
Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger w/
1
Reserved
DL-Volt-Alarm
On Board Lipoly Low Voltage Alarm (2s~4s)
1
Reserved
FS-L001
Hobby King 2.4Ghz 6Ch Tx USB Cable
1
Reserved
HK-T6A-M2
Hobby King 2.4Ghz 6Ch Tx & Rx V2 (Mode 2)
1
Reserved
258000011
10CM Male to Male Servo Lead (JR) 26AWG (10p
1
Reserved
WHS2MM-Yelow
Turnigy 2mm Heat Shrink Tube Yellow (1mtr)
4
Reserved
WHS3MM-Yelow
Turnigy 3mm Heat Shrink Tube Yellow (1mtr)
3
Reserved
WHS5MM-Yelow
Turnigy 5mm Heat Shrink Tube Yellow (1mtr)
2
Reserved
OR009-00506
M3 x 20mm Nylon Screws (10pcs/bag)
1
Reserved
Total: Â£193 including delivery

From ebay:

carbon fibre tubes http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150766369446 Â£11
XT60 power connectors http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120983871463 Â£4

I don't know if anyone will actually build this, but this is vaguely what to do:

The motors screw into the holders with m3 screws from below. The wires thread through the tubes. The holes for the carbon fibre tubes print slightly undersized on purpose - I don't glue them, they're just a friction fit. I rolled up some sandpaper, and enlarged the hole gradually until the rod just barely went in (considerable force.) Every time I crash the quad, they rotate slightly, which I consider better than trying to glue them and have something actually break.

Use m4 bolts to screw the base and top to the central rod holders. They should self-tap. The ESCS fit inside the case, I had to bodge the wiring to get it to fit. I'll eventually design a top cover, but for now the flight control board and RX just sit on top, secured by bolts/cable ties respectively. I tapped the holes to m3 size, but they'd probably self-thread.

If anyone has any questions/comments just ask, I know when I built this it was really hard to find a working configuration of motors/escs/batteries/etc. This set works really nicely. I've had a few crashes from 5m, going fast over the ground, and the whole thing has just bounced, and i've only broken one prop so far.

reprapped + carbon fibre quadcopter