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Multi-rotor landing gear
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:06 pm
by wwheeler
have you thought about using kite rods for the skids?
a filament wound epoxy tube 32 inches in length weighs in at just over half an ounce at .656 That's a
length 32.5"
OD .231"
ID .176"
WT0.656 oz
it's sturdy hollow and shouldn't bend like you reported on.
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 6:42 am
by msimpson
The question would be how well they handle a rough landing. I have used aluminum helicopter landing gear and it bends on a rough landing. I switched over to solid 1/4" fiberglass. It holds up very well.
On my new craft designs I use legs made from ply that is connected to the aluminum booms. This works very well and holds up in a rough landing and crumbles on a crash.
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:48 pm
by wwheeler
Well the fiberglass rods you were taking from the yard reflectors is a bit more flexible but the wound epoxy tubes would be a bit stiffer. But it takes a pretty hard hit from on high for a spar in a kite to break. And they are generally cheap to buy. Though if you go in for carbon fiber rods it can get expensive and they are more brittle while lighter.
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 4:37 am
by msimpson
I used to use heli skids, but the legs work much better and give more support. They also hold up better in a hard landing.
Here is my Hex using those legs: