Challenging Myself to Make the Thinnest Drone I can

I've been putting in some reps on learning to use CAD for a lot of different projects around the shop, and I wanted to set myself a challenge to encourage myself to make my skills even better. Building a drone in the thinnest form possible sounded like a good challenge, so I set out after it.
Let me know in the comments if you like this type of video - I have a lot of other ideas of things like this to try, and I can't wait to hear what you guys think!
Also let me know in the comments if you'd buy the frame version of this that actually works decently (if people are interested) because I'll think about opening them up. I'll also probably list the whole design for free download to mess with too.
Components I used on this build:
Flight Controller: bit.ly/3M49Yhq
Receiver: bit.ly/4fK3jX3
Motors: bit.ly/4dBLaJ6
VTX: bit.ly/4dCwRUK
Alternative VTX: bit.ly/4fK4iXf
Camera: bit.ly/3YLgMYG
Alternative Camera: bit.ly/3Aw7w0m
Props: bit.ly/4coMCxx
Learn to build a drone!: • How to Build a Cinemat...
Full parts list on this drone with affiliate links:
Motors: bit.ly/2QlgSnc
Flight Controller: bit.ly/2AmUZxq
ESC: Hobbywing 60a - bit.ly/2xUKTCX
Video Transmitter: bit.ly/3fOfYJV
Receiver: bit.ly/3fOfYJV
Frame: Project 399 SuperG - bit.ly/2zUGAVo
Camera : bit.ly/3fOfYJV
Lipo: CNHL Ministar 6s - bit.ly/2WSCOHx
Prop: Azure 5150 - bit.ly/2WrvuUj
Other Peripherals:
Goggles: Fatshark HDO - bit.ly/2rrEb3J
Get Started with DJI: - bit.ly/3crk3l1
DJI but I want my own radio: -bit.ly/3crk3l1
DJI Receiver Directional Antennas: TrueRC Patch for DJI - bit.ly/3cs3xBi (requires 2, not necessary, but amazing)
DJI Receiver Omni Antennas: TrueRC Stubby Singularity - bit.ly/3cqC2rD (purchase 1, comes with 4)
Goggle Receiver Module: IMRC Rapidfire -bit.ly/2IHtDq7
Goggle DVR Accessory: IMRC Powerplay - bit.ly/3cfr3kG
Goggle Battery Replacement: 18500 Batteries - bit.ly/2UyU9Vg (go in powerplay)
Radio: Taranis 9XD - bit.ly/35kYMsb
TBS Crossfire : TBS Crossfire - bit.ly/2BVwMgX
Solder: - bit.ly/nurksolder
Soldering Iron: TS100 - bit.ly/2KeBY5e
Lipo Charger: HOTA 15A - bit.ly/3piuH4e
Thanks to each of my sponsors:
Hobbywing
RunCam: www.runcam.com/
AirVuz: www.airvuz.com/
Check out my other videos! / nurkfpv
Follow me on Instagram: / nurkfpv
Tweet at me on Twitter: / nurkfpv

[@NURKFPV]

Let me know in the comments if you like this style of content! I have tons of other ideas for projects like this, and I want your feedback if you'd like to see more!

[@WrongWayFPV]

love this content. Would like to see what else you come up with. Maybe the hovercraft on thingiverse? but with your own twist on it? Great vid broski!!

[@sakfpv8444]

Hell yeah man. Keep the projects rolling in! I love your project videos

[@dylansmith9215]

Love it! The design still looked super cool despite the addon! It would be cool to see a 10" design

[@bennett_fpv]

This was such a great video I love this style

[@PilotExtreme]

Would be nice to see how you are pid tuning it to fix the issues

[@marc_frank]

flying your first own design is a super cool feeling

[@NURKFPV]

I am so proud of my baby :P

[@ed.puckett]

Back to the old nurk of yore, I really like your videos like these!

[@y_i_fly6256]

It’s the idea about the imagination, conception and creativity to bring that idea to life and reality is the awesome part. That first one off usually isn’t the greatest but it’s that process and watching that project grow. Great job Nurk!

[@NoahStone-gu4hx]

What an awesome project, I hope you do even crazier ideas in the future

[@javmag9839]

Man I really love your videos Specially the builds Thank for sharing this one I will waiting for the next part

[@notG1O]

Always more, I love "builds" and experimentation. Doesn't even need to be practical! "Wonder if I can do X" can be a lot of fun!

[@bishopvick6373]

A couple little design tips - Radius in the inside corners, adds strength and rads are needed for cutting with a round tool with cnc. Also look at adding 'dog bones' on slots and mating cuts.

[@TryAgainFPV]

Ive heard of 3d drones but 2d drone is just ridiculous! [Kidding] this was super fun to watch. Dont tell my boss

[@NURKFPV]

I would never

[@LilwickedFpv]

Keep up the great work man 😎👊🏽great drone.

[@NURKFPV]

:-)

[@whitenoiseFPV]

Alright, time for me to start building again. This video is giving me the itch!

[@bertbeinaaf8314]

First time in a long time i watched a fpv/drone video until the end. Love it 👍

[@57r4n63r]

I missed those kinds of videos. great to see you thinkering with stuff

[@ryanw5758]

Awesome video dude, i love his new concept pushing people to think outside the box

[@sjcajw7]

I haven't watched a build video in years. Makes me want to build another drone now haha. Nice work man. Very cool idea.

[@revodrvr]

I love the try it video as I call em. It's just fun to try things.

[@superdstar2001]

It could literally be the exact same thickness with a normal toothpick build. I have trouble following things that aren't practical, but the design and execution is definitely interesting.

[@djSpinege]

I made a drone like this out of the "stick" version of a Naze 32. They only made the stick form factor FC in a limited run so i designed a drone around the FC called the dragon fly. This was before you could even rotate FC's in the GUI. your modern version is so sick.

[@NURKFPV]

Woah that's insane that you did it way back when. modern FC stuff makes it so easy haha

[@mr.spacemango]

Definitely looks like that Decepticon, that's invisible when looked at straight ahead.

[@Ardenup]

you should make the cells part of the frame :)

[@methenol]

Great job, love this type of content!

[@NURKFPV]

Glad you enjoy it! More to come!

[@LehtusBphree2flyFPV]

I LOVE tiny whoops and toothpicks my problem is without a self-powed buzzer I can't find the little even with the motors beeping. I guess for tiny drones I'll have to dress it up with bright LEDs to help find out in fresh cut grass. It's great seeing you do more videos. We miss your content and flying trains.

[@lancethrustworthy]

I'd like to be able to control a drone by way of a small model drone I hold in hand. I think maybe others would too. I imagine using the guts of any of the DJI Motion Controllers would do.

[@NURKFPV]

woah that would be insane. I think you can do something similar to that with radiomaster radios as well - I believe there might be a gyro in it.

[@JymmiPhreek]

Been a while for me but I'm impressed with the production quality of your videos! I love your concept, too and would totally buy one or two if the price isn't outrageous!

[@runpuppyfpv5744]

Nurks back !! 😂

[@wallbanger8389]

That quad reminds me of the Decepticon Reedman from Revenge of the Fallen.

[@smika710]

Looks much better with the cross brace

[@billmcdonald4335]

You should get an X-ACTO 73800 Partpicker. It will let you handle tiny nuts and bolts with ease. I bought one in the late '70s, and it's still as good as new. Less than $10.

[@isaacpry6363]

2:04 that laugh sounds like a chainsaw turing over

[@dyna-drone1952]

All I can say, is that was kind of cool

[@rowanballinger3690]

It’s fun to tinker but I think the traditional way looks way better. That long battery on the bottom is acting like a pendulum as well.

[@TheFrostyDave]

Sharp corners are prone to stress fractures. Use fillets to spread out the stress for both plastic and carbon fiber. Please consider using a respirator when sanding carbon fiber, the microscopic fibers can create scar tissue in your lungs and mucous membranes.

[@lecolintube]

Love it! Such a cool vid! Out of curiosity is there an application that you have in mind for a drone with a vertical frame? Or is it just to see what’s possible? Also how does having the props configured in a ‘+’ shape, compared to an ‘x’ shape impact your tuning, control and flight stability? 😉 and lastly… is the CNC machine yours 🤩🙌 Can’t wait to see the next one!

[@revodrvr]

I'd Def buy one once u get the wobble gone. I love to tinker.

[@DanielJohnFPV]

Insta click. Looking forward to watching this one!

[@NURKFPV]

Let me know what you think!

[@revodrvr]

Stack the nickel a few layers thick to help drop resistance in the battery.

[@Ka0sNite]

The wind will catch it from the side, The pid loop will stop it from rolling, but increases thrust so you cant drop altitude. I know from experience. Most of my drones are experimental, and most work first version now(with only small modifications). At the CAD level, sit, think, measure to work the bugs out. Thin carbon 2mm and less will flex a bit, but you can use this to your advantage and tension two pieces against each other having better rigidity and less harmonic vibration than a single fatter piece. The battery pack could be split in 2, 2 front 2 back, giving a lower side profile. Last thing, you design didn't use the carbon sheet efficiently. The fun is in the designing and trying new things. Good luck.

[@TryAgainFPV]

"Tomahawk" is a good name for it

[@NURKFPV]

love it

[@josephdaulton3726]

Love it..more please 😀

[@JPspinFPV]

Funny, I literally just bought that spot welder today.

[@MrFadjule]

Do the "bone drone" arm style, slimmer!!!

[@hrdroneracing]

Nice work dude!

[@BrandonBeans]

This was pretty cool! At first, I was like "oh heck no, no way"... then by the end I was really surprised, and it seems to be coming together! I suppose it's the design process of starting with a concept but not much more, then rapid prototyping and just trying stuff and seeing what works. Fun video

[@jeffhenson1994]

NURK MY HERO LETS DO A EPIC TRAIN HOP AGAIN IM HERE BIG BIG BIG FAN I SEE U

[@hubieh3374]

Yep.. Set up all kinds of interesting networks , get it right first try.. Someone calls in, "I got a new printer and I'm trying to set it up as the network printer". (hits mute) "Ah shit!!!!!"

[@Brian-S]

Ive thought about vertically mounting the flight controller for a while now apparently theres a reason they do it in a lot of helis it can help with vibrations and noise in general from getting to the board as easily as its on a different plane from the motors (largest source of raw noise)

[@winder6]

Any thing you do will be great.

[@personalaccount342]

awesome, you mentioned the issue early on, "maybe i should have used thicker carbon"

[@NURKFPV]

V2 is in progress

[@rambozo_fpv176]

Find a more rigid shape for the arms? Triangles tubes, maybe?

[@marknitro17]

If you put the arms in tension with some sort of strings instead of the 3d printed brace maybe? Like some dyneema fishing line, I don't know...

[@curlyexcile]

Tye wire the engine mounts to each other, use black wire so you can't see it.

[@SirPobyasVanHurrsten]

Just tuned in after some time again. This format it great - Just saying.

[@jeffhudson1744]

have you thought of putting triangle gussets in the corners of the center post for more strength?

[@SkermiebroTech]

Reminds me of Scott Tomlinson's videos

[@JACK19860909]

me encanto el proyecto muy genial , saludos desde Honduras

[@marcusmckay8120]

Use pla as reinforcements place the fc in the middle forward and raise the battery... Less of a pendulum swing

[@lawrencewilson6498]

Sweet looks cool

[@d4ro]

Nice frame design project, this new video format is great. For the frame maybe it is enough to use 1mm carbon spars between the motors to stop the arms bending when yawing

[@driewiel]

Make a split controller for left right on your bike's handlebar.

[@notsure1502]

Welcome to the club 🙃

[@cristian_c]

I think the aio, csn be placed normally and battery, on each arm 1 cell. Maybe you can try this.

[@painy6588]

Love the content!

[@dfgaJK]

I usually do multiple spot welds

[@austinedgemon328]

Keep it coming player

[@EliasLabordus]

Hey man, following you for ages. Since you asked I'm just being honest here. The cad and 3d printint stuff is alright, but the rest of the style doesn't do it for me. You're still getting a thumbs up! All the best mate

[@NURKFPV]

hey it's definitely not for everyone, and I'm glad you shared your feedback either way!

[@pollatso]

Very cool 👍👍🙏🇬🇧

[@revodrvr]

Should make the arms on the side match the angle of the camera instead of 90. Drop as much air resistance as possible

[@jvsonyt]

put a motor with a big prop at the top like a helicopter

[@NURKFPV]

I love this

[@buttersfpv]

add a printed bracket that acts as a fillet at the arm joints

[@johnnyjohnson6771]

carbon tubes for motor arms will solve your torsion flex issue

[@marcofpv1534]

What if you just make the arms thicker carbon? I think that will reduce the flex enough en it will still look like the design you had in mind.

[@dizzydeanfpv45]

Cool video....i also like when you vlog and rip....u gotta remember your like 1 of the best pilots....theres so much garbage out there...we need your inspiration again bro!!😅❤❤🎉🎉

[@RubyS.1]

Reminds me of your old videos

[@stonebeach]

Крафтинг всегда приятно смотреть) Отличное видео!

[@boactech3076]

Love this content 😊 Now create a new outro flying this drone trough that paper 😂

[@NURKFPV]

Bet. We're going to have lots of kindling after.

[@pickeljuice9325]

sir the build plate on the 3d printer is flexible, no need to violate it like that D:

[@NURKFPV]

Parts too small to bend

[@unger_cnc]

Cool design! Hit me up if you need anymore prototypes cut. I have several thicknesses in stock and located in MN. Quick turnaround time and fair prices. -Unger CNC

[@VinydFPV]

Awesome drone concept! So what application are you using it for? Or what's it for? Other than being freaking awesome!!

[@NURKFPV]

Honestly just to scratch my own itch of learning how to build drones from the ground up. I think it will be a semi-capable long range drone as well, but that was coincidental. Once I get v2 up and running I'll test it out.

[@BeyeaMan]

Why not mount the cells in the negative space of the braces and arms?

[@kerrymillar4981]

That,s out there the shrooms much have helped

[@ADfpv]

Fly this on fpv and Show us some dvr 😅

[@jeffhenson1994]

PS I FLY LIKE CRAP LOL WE NEED U

[@Tyler-kj8ss]

yo im 39 minutes early thats crazy

[@NURKFPV]

leggo

[@thsfl23]

try thicker carbon on the arms

[@georgeaura]

Any link to the welder?

[@haasfpv1222]

more!

[@Shauny_D]

but why? haha! Looks like a fun project though

[@CharlesSnyder]

Is balancing props still a thing? Would that help here?

[@NURKFPV]

it is not and I doubt that it would make a difference. These are very good modern props.

[@richardruckert7954]

Yes... More content that is unique fpv 'i have to go, so just one test flight'... Three hours later Eventually Beta flight preset

[@limitsizyasam3891]

We need FPV fly

[@NURKFPV]

It wasn't worth it for this version since it barely flew. Next version will be much more rigid and we'll fly it.

[@Caroline_Tyler]

Just wear the mike!!! you don't need to hold it!

[@NURKFPV]

Sometimes it's fun to do both. Especially on days like this when im picking up and putting down the camera all day.

[@Caroline_Tyler]

@@NURKFPV :D

[@importon]

are you too good for 16:9 now?

[@NURKFPV]

I've shot 2:1 for a loooong time because it's the perfect aspect ratio for phones. Mkbhd turned me on to it

[@importon]

@@NURKFPV I accidentally tried to fullscreen it even though I was already fullscreened. Ha! Looking forward to when phones are replaced with AR glasses.

[@miguelt.7997]

I don't think you need glue for PLA. I use wham bam PEX, works like a charm on my P1S. Even works well on ASA.