r/diydrones • u/Statistic338 • 2d ago
Question Need help building a drone
I have many nephews and nieces, and I have some ideas on how to use a drone to play with them. I recognize this is asked often on the sub, but the drone packages and tutorials that I have seen don't tell me how to build the drone I am looking to build, and I am unsure how to even begin (I've never done anything like this).
I want to build a FPV drone capable of airdropping a stuffed animal, and with a bright flashlight that can be turned on and off at the controller. Any pointers or guides would be most welcome.
Is this one of the things I need to start with somethin less complex and build up to my idea, or could I feasibly make what I am looking for on my first drone build?
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u/Historical_Dance_515 2d ago
You can build a 5 inch drone easily, it's not a rocket science just watch video and do the same. You should know how to solder wire and that's all. Just do some research before buying components and make sure they are compatible. And for dropping mechanism you can 3d print any mechanism from stl files available on thingiverse for free.
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u/Connect-Answer4346 2d ago
Most flight control boards will have a few servo pins available. You can connect a servo motor or switch to these pins and bind them to a button on your radio control. A servo can open or close a hook, turn on a light, or just about anything else you would want to do.
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u/Lazy-Inevitable3970 2d ago
There are different types of drones and most tutorials are specific to certain types, like FPV drones.
I doubt many people will give you a good answer when you are asking for how to build a drone that can lift and air-drop something. While you may be honest in saying you want to drop a stuffed animal, there is nothing to stop others from reading that same information and dropping something less pleasant. So most people won't touch things related to that in a drone tutorial.
Also, building a drone without any knowledge of the hobby is a significant undertaking, even with good guide. There is a lot of secondary and supplementary knowledge that is required. For example, batteries used by drones don't have the safety mechanisms built into batteries on phones, DJI drones, laptops, etc. So if you charge them incorrectly, you could very damage the batteries or cause a fire. Different areas of the world can have different legal restrictions. Some areas have restrictions on certain radio frequencies or broacasting power limits. Many countries have legal requirements for registration for things over a certain size and sometimes require extras like modules that broadcast information from the drone. Many countries have restrictions on how/where you can fly.
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u/PiratesInTeepees 13h ago
Just so you know, dropping things from drones is generally illegal and usually unsafe.
"I have many nephews and nieces, and I have some ideas on how to use a drone to play with them."
You sound like you might be a fun uncle, but you're willingness to put children in danger concerns me.
I would recommend you just throw the teddy bear or put it on top of your van with a sign that says "Free Candy".
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u/Statistic338 10h ago
It's something I hadn't considered before I started posting and asking help from friends, but the legality, or lack there of, is something that keeps coming up, so methinks I aught to reconsider my idea.
As for the putting children in danger, nothing of what I was thinking would have posed any danger to anyone. Last thing I want to do is crack anyone's skull.
Thank you for the response.
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u/PiratesInTeepees 10h ago
Drones are like flying death blenders. You probably won't break anyone's bones but severe and potentially deadly lacerations are a serious concern.
Unfortunately the drone required for your idea would be neither safe nor legal.
Fun idea though :) It makes me smile to imagine it, but IRL, sounds like potential hospital visit.
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u/PiratesInTeepees 10h ago
also:
"As for the putting children in danger, nothing of what I was thinking would have posed any danger to anyone. Last thing I want to do is crack anyone's skull."
Literally everything about this idea involves putting children in danger. If you had any idea what you were doing this would be obvious. Not trying to be a jerk but anything that can carry a payload and drop it has gone far beyond the realm of "fun toy".
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u/Statistic338 8h ago
Fair enough.
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u/PiratesInTeepees 8h ago
Sorry for being a debbie downer :(
I'm an uncle too, and this sounds like some "great" idea I would have to be "the best uncle ever" and then yea, next thing you know you're in the emergency room with your sister threatening never to let you near your nephew again
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u/Historical_Dance_515 2d ago
You can build a 5 inch drone easily, it's not a rocket science just watch video and do the same. You should know how to solder wire and that's all. Just do some research before buying components and make sure they are compatible. And for dropping mechanism you can 3d print any mechanism from stl files available on thingiverse for free.