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Here’s a checklist of important FPV instruments, tapes, glues and supplies for constructing and repairing FPV drones and glued wings. I’ll make suggestions on what merchandise it is best to get which might be helpful for constructing, repairs and troubleshooting.
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Getting the “important instruments” listed on this put up ought to be sufficient to get you began with constructing and repairing an FPV drone and glued wing. Having a few of the “Good-to-have instruments“ could make your builds extra skilled trying and may help restore/troubleshoot your drone, however by no imply crucial.
All of the hyperlinks on this web page are affiliate hyperlinks. It doesn’t value you a dime extra, however it sends us just a few cents each time a purchase order is made to maintain this weblog going. Thanks!
FPV Toolkits
These FPV toolkits include important instruments for constructing and repairing FPV drones at dwelling or within the discipline. They’re packaged in a neat carry case, making it simpler to pack for a day of flying. Designed particularly for FPV, these all-in-one toolkits are moderately priced and embrace respectable high quality instruments. This comfort eliminates the necessity to seek for every merchandise individually.
| Newbeedrone Package | RDQ Drone Software Package | Flywoo Software Package |
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| Discover this product right here: | Discover this product right here: | Discover this product right here: |
For informal FPV pilots, the RaceDayQuads package affords unbeatable worth. It’s the least costly and supplies a flexible number of instruments. Then again, the NewBeeDrone package features a full soldering suite, making it perfect for superior constructing and restore. These two kits are notably geared in the direction of the useful wants of significant FPV racers or freestyle pilots, and I extremely suggest them. Finally, the selection is dependent upon your finances and the capabilities you want.
Important Instruments
These are the really helpful and must-have instruments for constructing and repairing your mini quad.
Soldering Instruments
You will have a soldering iron for constructing and repairing FPV drones. Listed below are my product suggestions, and on this put up I’ll clarify in additional particulars how to decide on an excellent soldering iron and solder wires.
These are useful add-on for soldering.
| Solder Serving to Hand | Tip Cleaner | Mounting Putty |
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| For holding parts in place whereas soldering. | For cleansing the tip of soldering iron extra successfully than moist sponge. | Aka Blu Tack, putty can be utilized for holding small wires and parts in place shortly. |
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Hex Screwdriver Set
Hex screws are generally used to carry your FPV drone collectively, so getting a set of hex screwdrivers is extraordinarily necessary. Crucial sizes it is best to have are:
Or search for metric units of 1.3-3mm sizes.
Listed below are some good choices:
Assorted Screwdriver Set
For the screw sizes sometimes discovered on RC planes and wings, each cross slotted and single slotted would possibly turn out to be useful. A few of these units on AliExpress include some hex screwdrivers too that may prevent some cash.
Prop Nut Instruments
For eradicating and securing propeller nuts requires a devoted “prop instrument”. You might simply get a generic 8mm hex nut wrench, however I’d suggest getting a instrument that’s designed particularly for FPV that are simpler to make use of. There are plenty of choices:
- Some have one-way bearing that enables it to show one course – one facet for eradicating the prop nuts whereas the opposite facet for fastening. It lets you principally tightening/loosen the nut with out lifting the instrument which is extra environment friendly.
- Some instruments even have 1.5mm, 2.0mm or 2.5mm hex bit that are useful to have
Discover this merchandise right here:
Scissors
For reducing tapes and small wires. When I’m being lazy I’d additionally use it for stripping wires earlier than soldering, maybe not the very best observe however it will get the job accomplished.
Wire Cutters
I exploit wire cutters for reducing zip ties, electrical wires, management rods and so forth, principally for issues which might be too arduous for scissors.
Pliers
For accessing arduous to succeed in spots and gripping parts whereas working with different instruments (for instance when soldering a wire to an XT60 or ESC energy, the wire would possibly change into too sizzling to carry by hand). It can be used as a nut wrench.
For probably the most half, a pair of needle nostril pliers shall be your instrument of selection right here, however a range wouldn’t harm both.
Forsep
This instrument is extraordinarily versatile. The lengthy, curved nostril lets you attain the tight areas frequent in FPV drones. The scissors-style deal with supplies extra power and precision than tweezers. Moreover, it locks in place, permitting you to set it down and free your hand for different duties if wanted.
Multimeter
A digital multimeter (DDM)is used to troubleshoot your quad’s electronics, measuring voltage, present, resistance, and take a look at for brief circuit. I’ve a complete tutorial explaining the way to use a digital multimeter on an FPV drone.
A multimeter is a small funding that may probably prevent lots of of {dollars} in broken electrical components by testing circuits earlier than plugging them in. An inexpensive multimeter shall be high-quality for the needs of testing for shorts, discovering damaged wires and checking battery voltage.
Some good DDM buy choices are:
Smoke Stopper
A “smoke stopper” is a testing system that you just join between the FPV drone and LiPo battery. You utilize it once you plug within the battery for the primary time to see if the drone has a brief circuit, which might probably harm your parts with out a smoke stopper.
I like to recommend the Vifly ShortSafer V2 (evaluate), it really works and you should buy it off the shelf:
LiPo Voltage Checker
By merely connecting the steadiness lead of a LiPo battery to a LiPo checker, it tells you the voltage of the battery, in addition to the voltage of every cell. It’s an necessary instrument to have to observe the state of your LiPo batteries on the go.
ToolkitRC MC8
It’s greater than only a battery checker, it’s additionally a servo and ESC tester and might learn numerous RC indicators. See my evaluate on what it does right here: https://oscarliang.com/toolkitrc-mc8/
LiPo Protected Luggage
Whereas LiPo luggage is probably not the best resolution at stopping or containing a battery hearth, they’re helpful for storing your batteries temporally and for transportation
Get your LiPo luggage from:
Ammo Field
Steel ammo containers are nice for storing your LiPo batteries throughout or after charging as they’ll forestall hearth from spreading extra successfully than typical LiPo luggage.
Get your Ammo Field from:
Bat-Protected LiPo Field
The Bat-Protected field safely incorporates battery fires, vents sizzling gases, filters flame and soot, whereas making certain simple battery charging and transportation. It’s just like the upgraded model of the Ammo field. See my full evaluate right here: https://oscarliang.com/bat-safe-lipo-battery-charging-box/
You could find the Bat-Protected Field right here:
Good-to-have Instruments
Your FPV associates will certainly be impressed by these instruments 🙂
Electrical Screwdriver
Not crucial however a godsend if it’s a must to do a bunch of 20mm, 30mm lengthy screws usually. Merely press a button and the screwdriver will do the remainder for you. Additionally they include a wide array of screwdriver bits, which might prevent from shopping for these screwdrivers individually.
I like to recommend the ES126, it’s fairly highly effective and good high quality. One cost can final weeks.
Software Luggage
Manner higher than utilizing Ziploc luggage. Can maintain small instruments and parts when taking tools to the sector.
Bench Energy Provide
A bench energy provide (PSU) has variable voltage output that may energy many issues, together with your soldering iron, take a look at your quad, FPV parts, LiPo charger and so forth.
My favourite in the meanwhile is the ToolkitRC P200. It’s versatile and compact.
3D Printer
One of many greatest advantages of 3D printing for FPV drone fans is the power to shortly and simply substitute damaged components or make modifications to current designs.
I’ve a tutorial that will help you get began with 3D printing: https://oscarliang.com/3d-printer/
Tweezers
Tweezers are used to carry and transfer small parts and wires into place. Search for longer size tweezers to make it simpler to entry small parts. Cross-lock tweezers (or reverse tweezers) are most popular as a result of they apply strain once you launch them, they received’t let go of your work even in case you set them down.
Wire Strippers
I’ve one however I hardly ever use it (principally as a result of laziness), a lot of the occasions I simply use scissors to strip wires. However wire strippers present extra constant and exact outcomes if you’re a perfectionist. Usually they solely cowl a sure vary of wire gauge, be certain the pair you get meet your requirement.
Warmth Gun
Warmth gun, or hot-air gun, is especially used to shrink heat-shrink insulation tubes. Most individuals would simply use a lighter, sizzling air gun is probably an overkill, however it supplies extra constant warmth and don’t depart burn marks.
Rotary Software
Drills can be utilized to make modifications to even probably the most cussed of supplies. They can be utilized for shaping framework or parts in addition to creating new gap placements for screws or different gear.
Most frames and parts bought from respected sellers ought to accurately match from the get go. Nonetheless, typically small modifications might must be made with a view to get every thing to suit completely. A rotary instrument or drill is good to have round for working with tough to change supplies like carbon fiber and aluminium.
Dremel rotary instrument package is a excessive finish, title model that can be utilized with out a energy wire.
File Set
You’ll use these recordsdata to change and clear up issues like carbon fiber body components, to present them a pleasant and easy end.
Digital Calliper
Helpful for exact measurement as much as 0.1mm.
Digital Scale
Each gram counts for RC fashions, so having an correct instrument to weigh your quadcopter and parts is necessary. Having 1g precision is sweet sufficient usually, however 0.1g is right particularly for these micro quad parts. Ensure most capability is over 1kg, in case you plan to construct bigger fashions you would possibly need to select one with even greater weight restrict.
Clamp Meter
A clamp meter lets you measure present instantaneously by clamping the jaws round a wire with out the necessity to break into the circuit to take measurements. It’s able to measuring greater present than a multimeter, however the accuracy is perhaps decrease and they’re pretty costly.
Watt Meter
A watt meter (or energy meter) can measure present drawn and energy consumption. It’s helpful for testing motor and even measuring the ability of a complete quadcopter. It’s necessary to get one with XT60 connectors or open wires so you’ll be able to solder your personal. Ranking as much as 60V and 200A could be fascinating for FPV drone use.
Soldering Fume Extractor
Solder fumes are very unhealthy to your lung. Some folks can change into sensitized to flux fumes, particularly from the older rosin flux utilized in cored solder, and get respiration issues.
Desktop Fan
Nice for cooling once you energy the VTX on the bench, it will probably double as soldering smoke fan (suck the fume away).
RF Energy Meter
For testing and measuring radio/video transmitter output energy. ImmersionRC Energy Meter V2 is an compact and inexpensive choice although accuracy is just not assure, it’s higher than nothing.
Antenna SWR Meter
Understanding the SWR of your 5.8GHz antenna may help resolve which frequency or channel it is best to use for optimum efficiency What’s antenna SWR: https://oscarliang.com/best-fpv-antenna/#SWR. Interested in measuring antenna SWR? Take a look at my tutorial for a deep dive into the method:: https://oscarliang.com/litevna-measure-antenna-swr/.
Get your LiteVNA from these distributors (IMPORTANT: guarantee it helps as much as 6.3GHz!):
FTDI Adapter
FTDI adapter, aka serial converter, will be helpful for programming ESC, OSD, FC, configuring GPS and so forth. Within the occasions of broken USB port in your FC, you can too use it to attach your FC to your pc by way of one of many UART.
ST-Hyperlink V2 Programmer
That is used to flash units with STM32 processors, similar to ExpressLRS receivers, flight controllers and ESC.
Voltage Regulator
It’s helpful for powering VTX when there’s no BEC in your FC. It’s tiny and lightweight weight, which is beneficial for FPV drones and RC planes, it’s additionally useful to have for digital initiatives. It helps a variety of enter voltage from 5V, or 2S all the way in which as much as 6S, and the output is adjustable utilizing a screw driver (you’ll want a multimeter to confirm the output voltage).
Get this mini voltage regulator from these distributors:
FPV Backpack
FPV Backpacks are extraordinarily helpful as a result of they’re designed particularly for storing typical FPV gear. Certain, you’ll be able to simply use any odd backpack, however they don’t seem to be going to be as environment friendly and handy to make use of for FPV stuff. They usually often lack the mandatory padding on the skin to guard your gear in case you drop it.
Micro-fibre Material
Use a correct microfibre material to wash your digicam lenses and goggles screens to keep away from scratching the glass!
Instruments for FPV Fastened Wings
Passion Knife / Utility Knife
Passion knife is nice for reducing and eradicating foam, tape and heatshrink. Field cutters would do too, however they are usually much less exact and fewer sharp.
Pearl Head Pins
For holding foam components / carbon components collectively if you’re utilizing glue that takes some time to dry.
Sand Paper
You need to sand the froth surfaces and carbon fibre spars earlier than apply glue to them, it makes them stick higher.
I’d say something between 40 grits to 240 grits is okay. It is dependent upon your choice actually, so long as you’re not ripping bubbles off the froth. I personally use 80 to 120 grit, I discover something much less will make the beads of froth come out, and something greater than 120 takes a very long time to attain the specified end result.
Servo Tester
It’s helpful for testing servos, and centring them when establishing elevons. Additionally helpful for troubleshooting and testing ESC and motor spin course. You might also use it for motor thrust testing.
Weight for CG
These are weight blocks you’ll be able to place in your wing to steadiness CG. It’s not a foul concept if you need one thing neat, however I usually simply use cash. Truly cash turn into cheaper.
Servo Cable Crimping Software
that is used for crimping wires onto lugs. You don’t want to purchase one immediately in case you’re simply moving into the passion however finally the day will come when you will have one and can discover it helpful.
Servo connectors are Dupont 2.54mm, steadiness leads are JST-XH 2.54mm.
Scotch Heavy Obligation Packing Tape
The should have tape for basic functions – masking, reinforcing hinges, laminating… Sellotape tape is okay, however I discover good high quality packing tape are usually thicker and stronger.
Coloration Packing Tape
Generally known as wing tapes, shade packing tapes are nice for adorning your wings, and including some colours to it. It’s usually used for masking and laminating.
Those I exploit are thinner than the heavy responsibility packing tape and aren’t as sturdy. Nevertheless it doesn’t add any noticeable weight to the plane which is what I like!
Fibre Tape
AKA Reinforce Packing Tape – it’s extraordinarily sturdy and sticky! Typically used to guard main edges and reinforcing weak foam components and joints. It can be used for masking your servos within the wing.
Out of doors Vinyl Tape
It would really feel much like electrical tape, however it’s much less stretchy and has a shiny end and stick far more securely. It’s additionally twice as thick as packing tape. It conforms to irregularity properly, nice for making use of on management surfaces, like on prime of servos, it provides it a really easy end
Duct Tape
Stronger than packing tape and works significantly better on irregular surfaces, however it’s additionally a lot heavier; it’s simpler to take away and substitute; one other drawback is that they have an inclination to wrinkle up beneath the solar. it’s often a selection between this or out of doors vinyl tape
Tapes
You possibly can most likely get 90% of the roles accomplished utilizing 2-3 varieties of tapes, however it’s helpful to have the range for various functions too.
Electrical Tape
Electrical tape is a must have each time working with electrical stuff. It’s nice for insulation and holding components in place in your FPV drone construct. I additionally use it for masking when I’m soldering.
I solely use 3M Tremendous 35, it’s stretchy vinyl and fairly versatile, nice for wrapping motor wires or ESC on the drone arms too.
Double-sided Tape
Double sided tape is for sticking parts contained in the construct. In order for you some actually sticker and powerful ones, get the 3M Scotch model, that’s the sh*t! 🙂 Nice for sticking two separate issues collectively, like a receiver to the body. It takes just a few hours to remedy, as soon as it’s safe it’s arduous to take away.
Kapton Tape
Kapton tape is principally non-stretchy translucent electrical tape. It might probably face up to excessive temperature and received’t soften simply, due to this fact is nice for masking PCB when soldering, and wrapping parts once you don’t have the suitable sized clear heatshrink.
Masking Tape
It’s principally simply sticky paper 🙂 You possibly can tear it off the reel together with your fingers, very handy to make use of in case you simply need to maintain one thing in place temporally throughout the construct. It may be eliminated simply with out leaving any mess behind. You too can write on it because it’s simply paper.
Material Tape
A.okay.a gaffer’s tape, it’s versatile like material, nice for wrapping issues round. It’s sticky but in addition simple to take away. I exploit these for wrapping the motor wires to the arms, supplies sure safety to the wires from prop strikes too.
Glue
Any foam pleasant glues would do!
Scorching Glue
Scorching glue might be the preferred choice for constructing/repairing foam fashions. As a result of they soften into the froth like a chemical glue, but in addition creates an especially sturdy bodily bond on the identical time.
The power can also be its draw back. The bond is so sturdy it’s close to unimaginable to take away with out ripping the froth aside. Generally you may want the froth to only crumble in a crash fairly than fully destroyed? It’s a private choice.
The opposite properties is that it units in a short time because it cools down. However that’s additionally the drawback, as a result of you’ve got solely a short while to place the components. That will get worse in chilly climate.
E6000 Glue
Presently my favorite glue, I’m utilizing this as a alternative to sizzling glue and CA for constructing/fixing wings. I’ve a complete article to focus on why I prefer it a lot.
UHU Por Glue
UHU POR glue is right for gluing arduous foam like styrofoam. It’s versatile, proof against growing old and waterproof. Takes 10-20 minutes to set, turns into clear when dried.
Gorilla Clear Glue
A extremely popular choice for RC mannequin constructing. Robust stuff for an awesome vary of supplies, however personally not a giant fan of Gorilla glue, as a result of getting it in your fingers will be worse than epoxy!
Supplies and Provide
Zip Ties
Helpful sizes (width): 2mm and 3mm
Silicone Electrical Wires
Get your electrical wires in numerous gauges, generally used sizes for five″ FPV drones are 12AWG, 14AWG for energy, 20AWG for motors, and 28AWG for indicators. The dimensions requirement is dependent upon the present going by the wire, try this information about electrical wires and connector for extra element.
Warmth-shrink Tubes
Get numerous sizes for various functions, e.g. 2mm, 3mm for motor wires and XT60 pigtail, 20mm, 25mm for ESCs / RX, and so forth.
Battery Pads
A great battery pad will cease your battery from sliding, and stop it from being punctured by the screw heads on the body. Listed below are some nice sticky pads:
Ummagrip 3mm thick Model
Ummagrip 1.5mm thick Model
Battery Straps
For five-inch or bigger drones, 20mm width velcro straps are good selection. Usually 200-220mm size for 4S, and 240-260mm size for 6S, however it principally is dependent upon your selection of body.
Thread Locker
Details about thread locker, principally it prevents screws from coming unfastened as a result of vibration.
{Hardware}
When selecting up metallic screws and bolts, watch out for what materials they’re product of. My choice is to get 10-9 or 12-9 each time potential. These numbers consult with the alloy of metal used within the screws. These are the great things, they don’t strip out simply and really sturdy.
M3 Stainless Metal Screws Assortment: https://amzn.to/3tOpPpA
M3 Nylon {Hardware} Package:
AliExpress – https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_DEvf1gl
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3xlFMph
Silicone Conformal Coating
By coating this in your electronics, it makes it water proof! You possibly can study extra in my tutorial.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol can be utilized as a degreaser, solvent and cleansing agent. You need to use it to wash residue from burnt solder flux, in addition to simply basic cleansing of your electronics. It can be used to take away sure varieties of glue, in addition to silicone conformal coating.
Edit Historical past
- 2015 – Put up created.
- 2017 – Added extra gadgets.
- 2021 – Shortened web page URL, added extra gadgets.
- 2022 – Up to date product hyperlinks, added extra gadgets.
- 2023 – Up to date product hyperlinks, added FPV wing instruments.
- Jun 2024 – Up to date product hyperlinks.