Making the body of a RC helicopter from balsa wood

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using balsa wood for constructing the body of a remote-controlled (RC) helicopter. Participants explore the material's properties, design considerations, and potential challenges in the context of DIY model building.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the suitability of balsa wood for helicopter construction, speculating whether it might be due to the torque of the motor or the design of the helicopter.
  • Another participant notes that balsa wood is commonly used in various kits, suggesting that it could be a viable option for the user's design.
  • A participant recommends building a crude prototype to identify any structural issues, emphasizing the importance of testing the design.
  • It is mentioned that balsa wood is a popular choice for DIY copters, with advice given to monitor weight and ensure proper balance and assembly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the use of balsa wood, with some supporting its viability while others raise concerns about potential structural challenges. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not fully define the specific design parameters or the expected loads on the structure, which may affect the suitability of balsa wood. There is also no detailed exploration of the mechanical properties of balsa wood in relation to the proposed design.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in DIY model aircraft construction, particularly those exploring alternative materials for lightweight designs.

Austine-J5
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Holla peeps,in the nearest future I hope to make a rc helicopter. I've done a series of researches and so far things are falling into place but I've just hit a hard rock. All model Rc I've seen are either made of aluminum, plastic or panel boards so am wondering what about balsa wood? Its light so why is it not used for helicopters. Is it due to the torque of the motor or design of the chopper? My design is shaped like a military drone,flat and virtually triangular in shape with two motors on two edges and a long tail sticking out perpendicularly to the motors. so I need your help to know if balsa wood will be good for the design.
Thanks in advance.
 
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I can't really visualize your design, but I've seen lots of kits made from balsa wood, including helicopters.

Balsa wood is fairly cheap and easy to work with, so why not build a crude prototype first to see if you have any obvious structural issues in your design?
 
My design is like a kite cut into two equal halves with a tail sticking out of the longest side and I'll try building a prototype.
 
Balsa wood is a pretty common choice for making frames when you are making a DIY (heli/quad/octo) copter on the cheap.

Two pieces of advice, watch your weight and make sure it is held together well. Make sure above all the thing is balanced.
 

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