14 DAY TRIAL // Quadcopters are a bit more popular than you might think, to the point where 3D printed models are already past the “unique experiment” stage. In fact, we've got the second one to show off, even though the first only came out the other day.
Some recent background information: the FPV Quad Racer was just posted on Kickstarter to be crowdfunded, and knowing how these things go, it'll definitely succeed in gaining the money.
Now, a second quad-motor drone has been created, one that looks a bit less fancy but which should be even cheaper to make than the other one.
The only main difference is that you're not looking at a marketable product this time. Instead, you have to make the drone yourself.
The 3D printed quadcopter from Nolan5454
Nolan5454 is a user on Instructables, the website where the creation instructions are loaded for many, many projects of all sorts.
Now, it's true that a 3D printed object shouldn't need to have any DIY plans at all, and the 3D models should be posted on a site like Thingiverse instead.
However, it's one thing to 3D print a figurine or a purely mechanical contraption (part by part), and another to make a technological device in the same manner.
That's why you'll still need to buy the GPS sensor, the FM transmitter, the power distribution board, the four motors themselves and the speed controllers as well.
You will also need to buy a MakerBot 2x replicator or comparable 3D printer to fashion the plastic frame/body holding everything together ($1,300 / €1,030 if you're lucky). Unless there's a 3D printing service store near you, in which case you can ask them to do the printing for you (from PLA).
In the end, you should have all you need to put together the quadcopter in the attached photos. It's not the most glamorous flying machine in the world, but it will cost you a lot less than any other on the market.
The full walkthrough
It can be found on its own Instructables page, as we implied before. Unfortunately, the “cheapest of its kind” bit will only apply if you already own a suitable 3D printer. All in all, a very convenient investment if you have some time to kill, since you'll end up with something that you'll always be able to use for aerial photos, carrying mistletoe all over the place during a party, making romantic deliveries to your intended's window at night, etc.