<p>There's no denying the fact that when it comes to materials that are strong, stiff and light at the same time, carbon fiber is king. If you're looking for performance, there's no way around it. If performance is not the most important thing in the world, however... Well, there are several options.</p>
<p>Before I start listing these, I must point out that <em>all frames break</em>. Some break more easily than others, but you can't have an unbreakable frame. The question is how you repair it <em>when</em> it breaks, and the answer depends on the material.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Plastic frames</strong> are actually a very popular option in micro-sized quadcopters that only weigh tens of grams. These frames usually feature a non-flat shape, prop guards and other features built into them. A subset of those, 3D printed frames, are also quite widely used in DIY designs of larger sizes, and, as everything 3D printed, are a good way of prototyping your design before moving on to other materials. In some cases, where performance is not a concern (for example, if your main focus is having a platform for testing algorithms for which flight time or range is not important at the time, or just want to play around with a design) you may even never move on from a 3D printed frame. While these tend to be heavy and/or brittle compared to other materials, there are some exceptionally light designs, and depending on the intended applications, durability might not be a concern. Besides, if you do break one of these, you can always just print a new one.
Also keep in mind that there are many different specialized 3D plastics available, such as carbon-impregnated ones, lightweight foaming PLA and others, which, along with clever design, can in fact give you a fairly performant, stiff and/or light frame. All of these have tradeoffs, however, so do your research.</li>
<li><strong>Wood and metal/fiberglass</strong> is a staple of &quot;oldschool&quot;, large (8&quot;+) DIY drones from the KK2/Naze era. As the drone gets larger, heavier frames tend to impede it less, and any crash could easily break an arm just due to the sheer weight of the drone, no matter what the arm is made of. So this kind of design focuses on repairability instead: one can easily make tens of wooden arms in their workshop for very cheap and swap them when they break. Potentially, one could try to make a smaller wooden frame as well, although at this point lightness becomes important, so I'd advise to stick to lighter woods if you do, maybe even balsa.
<ul>
<li>Full-metal frames are not unheard of as well; Aluminium and titanium are widely-accepted building materials in aviation and actually tend to have better performance than wood. You'll have to use tubes/other non-flat shapes, though.</li>
<li>Even though you've ruled out carbon fiber, you may be referring specifically to CNC machining of frames out of flat sheets. Premade carbon fiber elements such as strips and tubing are readily available for order online and are easy to work with using basic tools. A lot of larger drones today are made using the same basic technologies as the wood/metal drones of old, but with arms out of carbon fiber tubes instead of wooden planks. If you're building a large drone, this is a very feasible yet high-performance option.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Finally, <strong>Pure fiberglass composite</strong>. Glass fiber composites are in fact even stronger per unit weight than their carbon fiber counterparts, but significantly less stiff, which is why you don't usually see them in performance drones: In flight, dynamic and resonant characteristics are more significant than pure strength, the latter coming into play only when you crash. But if the drone flies better, you're less likely to crash in the first place. Still, the difference in stiffness of the material can be overcome with clever profiles, and glass is generally easier to work with than carbon, so there are some niche uses even in performance designs.
<ul>
<li>The first of them is very large drones, which tend not to care as much about neither weight nor aerobatic performance. Here, glass fiber can shine if you've got the facilities to manufacture it. That said, if you're building a very large drone, the frame is likely to be a very small fraction of its cost, so you might just as well order a custom carbon design (or use premade carbon parts like the previous option).</li>
<li>The more interesting option, however, is a <strong>PCB frame</strong>, in which the frame is
not just a structural component, but also carries all the electronics
that the drone needs to fly. Some fantastically lightweight designs
have been made using this technique: even though the glass fiber
itself does not perform as well as carbon, the design makes up for it by ditching
all the other PCB and wiring weight that would otherwise be carried
<em>on top</em> of the frame in a traditional design. While not optimal for sporty flying, this is the perfect option for a long-range/long
flight time autonomous design... if you can lay out the PCB, as all
of the components (flight controller, ESCs, vTX, etc) have to be
integrated into it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Some examples for inspiration:</h2>
<h3>Plastic frames</h3>
<p>Brushed micro quadcopter (tiny whoop) with molded plastic frame:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/70kdE.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/70kdE.png" alt="Cockroach whoop" /></a></p>
<p>2&quot; brushless copter with molded frame:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/OYmsu.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/OYmsu.jpg" alt="GTR239" /></a></p>
<p>Brushless quadcopters with 3D printed frame:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/f7qAf.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/f7qAf.jpg" alt="3dp brushless 2" /></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Beab5.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Beab5.png" alt="3dp brushless" /></a></p>
<p>Foldable brushed 3D printed frame:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/fYpF1.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/fYpF1.jpg" alt="Foldable 3dp" /></a></p>
<h3>Wood/metal homemade frames:</h3>
<p>Typical fully wooden H frames of the KK2/Naze era:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/TkAtJ.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TkAtJ.png" alt="Wooden H frame" /></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/UcNqb.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/UcNqb.jpg" alt="Wooden H quad" /></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/eBdeO.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/eBdeO.png" alt="alternative wooden H in flight" /></a></p>
<p>Classic X frame with metal/plastic center plate and wooden arms:
<a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b3/6a/89/b36a8958aa1ed2c55f6c9ab8efb9c990.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b3/6a/89/b36a8958aa1ed2c55f6c9ab8efb9c990.jpg" alt="Wooden X" /></a></p>
<p>Very simple wooden X frame:
<a href="https://multicopterbuild.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dsc_1623.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://multicopterbuild.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dsc_1623.jpg" alt="simple wooden X" /></a></p>
<p>Small drone with laser cut wooden frame:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/L9snF.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/L9snF.png" alt="Flone" /></a></p>
<p>Frame with metal arms:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/OvGmN.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/OvGmN.jpg" alt="metal arm frame" /></a></p>
<p>Full-metal frame:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/hIVhN.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hIVhN.png" alt="metal frame" /></a></p>
<p>H frame out of carbon tubing with 3D printed brackets holding it together:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/rYBCZ.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/rYBCZ.png" alt="Carbon H" /></a></p>
<h3>Glass fiber frames</h3>
<p>Molded fiberglass tricopter:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ajms4.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ajms4.png" alt="Molded fiberglass tricopter" /></a></p>
<p>PCB frames:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/EqN5c.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/EqN5c.png" alt="ardubee overview" /></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/BDImw.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/BDImw.jpg" alt="ardubee bare" /></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/jaCbD.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jaCbD.png" alt="ardubee weight" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-30T01:30:26.443Z
Good answer! I'd also add if you're printing the frame nylon (PA-12) or carbon reinforced nylon (sometimes branded NylonX) are probably the best bet. They're a pain to deal with as they're extremely hydroscopic though.
QuadMcFly
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-26T01:39:52.197Z
Just a quick commen on an otherwise excellent answer. Carbon Fiber is not strong and light, so much as it is *stiff* and light. Per unit weight, S-Glass fiberglass is stronger than CF. In fact, CF is substantially weaker compared to many other common materials.
Kenn Sebesta
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-28T22:21:10.107Z
2022-11-24T09:42:15.957Z
2022-11-24T09:42:15.957Z
FlashCactus
<p>It depends on what kind of airframe you want to build, what size it is and what you intend to do with it.</p>

<p>Early DIY drones often used moulded plastic, for example he immensely popular DJI Flamewheel. Many camera drones, such as the DJI Phantom, still use that plastic construction to this day.</p>

<p>It was also fairly common to build airframes out of wood.</p>

<p>However, in more recent years, carbon fibre has become the gold standard in terms of weight, strength and price.</p>

<p>Smaller drones, such as Tiny Whoops, as well as toy grade quads may still use plastic as they often don’t have the mass to break plastic frames during a crash, and if you are okay with the risk that a crash at sufficient velocity could destroy your airframe, moulded plastic may be a good option (I say moulded as 3D printed is unlikely to have the required strength).</p>

<p>You say you have tried aluminium, however there is an important distinction to make. Thin aluminium sheets would be fairly malleable, however a section of aluminium extrusion or a rectangular aluminium pipe (or even a circular aluminium pipe if you can find a way to mount the motors) will probably provide enough strength for low-impact activities.</p>

<p>You could, of course, construct your airframe out of wood, however finding sufficiently light and strong wood may prove to be a challenge.</p>

<p>Companies like Banggood and Hobbyking carry carbon and ship to most of the world; if you haven’t tried these I recommend giving them a look.</p>

<p>It is also important to keep in mind that modern flight controllers have filtering to make almost anything (including a taxidermist cat - it’s real) fly. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-28T22:12:59.587Z
2020-04-28T22:12:59.587Z
Drones and Whatnot
<p>Polycarbonate frames can work quite well, but they will flex more.  I have made a lot of them and they get a lot of flying time in carpark racing locally.  </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-29T01:28:37.973Z
2020-04-29T01:28:37.973Z
ctzsnooze
<p>It would indeed be helpful to know what kind of quadcopter you are looking to make.
<br>
I have made several quadcopters and one octocopter, but all with the purpose of aerial photography, not racing. Always used aluminum frames. Here is why.<br></p>

<p>Plenty and cheap availability. Most DIY stores have the 10mm square section tubes needed for the arms. The price was under 2 euros for 1 meter piece. Bought plenty.<br></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I have tried aluminium but it's too soft and so needs repairs<br></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Indeed, in case of crashes. And that is a plus for aluminum. In case of a crash it will bend. This means that part of the energy of the hit will be absorbed by an aluminum frame. Whereas on a rigid frame you risk that most of the energy will be transferred to the precious electronics. For this purpose I weaken the arms a bit by drilling holes in them just before they get under the plate that holds the electronics. After a crash you just discard the torn arm and put a new one in place. Because, you know, it's cheap.<br><br>
Aluminum, on the other hand, is plenty rigid for flight, even in case of acrobatics.<br> 
Many of the other materials suggested (woods, plastics) are not quite as rigid. This will likely cause flutter of your arms in flight leading to an overall less stable airframe.<br>
Normally I use wood for the plate holding the electronics (attach it with dampeners, to reduce vibrations as much as possible) and the camera gimbal.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-29T12:53:27.267Z
2020-05-08T00:43:04.747Z
2020-05-08T00:43:04.747Z
Duncan Drake
<p>Before carbon fiber frames became popular, I was building my frames with wood.  This worked quite well for cruising around, but if you are building a racing drone, then carbon is your best option.  If you can't get carbon, try plywood as it is layered and the layers will add a bit more durability.  I'm referring to hobby grade plywood that ranges in thickness.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-29T12:23:57.420Z
2020-04-29T12:23:57.420Z
Schome1
<p>I would personally shy away from PCB frames as PCBs are not intended to have the stresses which quad flying, and crashing, will ultimately inflict on the frame.  The traces and solder points are prone to failure with these stresses.  I would stick with a separate pcb which is smaller and and can be located in a protected part of the aircraft.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-17T17:49:03.303Z
2020-12-17T17:49:03.303Z
capaul1977
<p>Depending on your application, a wood frame with a fiberglass wrap may be an option. Many balsa wood r/c airplanes and gliders have their wing center section wrapped with fiberglass and epoxy. When done right it's incredibly strong for a modest weight gain. Obviously, this wouldn't be the best option for all situations but may be worth a look. </p>

<p>Check youtube and the usual r/c forums on how to do it if you are unfamiliar. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-05T21:28:26.927Z
2020-05-08T00:39:53.350Z
2020-05-08T00:39:53.350Z
WormBurner
<p><strong>Bamboo</strong> is surprisingly close to carbon fiber rods and tubes in all properties except cost.<br>
For more complicated shapes, wrap <strong>fiberglass cloth</strong> around a removable mandrel, or over a lightweight core such as foam (which you can even dissolve away after the fiberglass has hardened, for extra lightness).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-07T21:40:30.083Z
2020-05-07T21:40:30.083Z
Camille Goudeseune
<p>I am making a diy quadcopter and I need a strong and light material for its frame.</p>

<p>Carbon fibre is not available in my area. I have tried aluminium but it's too soft and so needs repairs. What alternatives are recommended?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-28T21:52:22.673Z
What size frame are we talking about here? 5", smaller, larger?
ifconfig
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-28T21:59:40.663Z
It would be helpful if you could expand on what kind of drone you are building.
FlashCactus
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-30T14:46:31.280Z
“I have tried aluminium but it's too soft” – note that aluminium isn't aluminium. All commonly used metals are actually alloys and when we say “aluminium” that really means just that Al is the main component. But aircraft-grade aluminium alloy is much stronger than the stuff used for e.g. food packaging. I know it mostly from mountainbikes, where most better models are available in both carbon and Al-alloy versions, and the differences between the materials aren't really that big.
leftaroundabout
<drone-frame><material><fabrication><airframe>
What is a good alternative to carbon fibre for a quadcopter frame?
Himanshu Mahara
# What is a good alternative to carbon fibre for a quadcopter frame?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-28)

I am making a diy quadcopter and I need a strong and light material for its frame.

Carbon fibre is not available in my area. I have tried aluminium but it's too soft and so needs repairs. What alternatives are recommended?

**Tags:** drone-frame, material, fabrication, airframe

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What size frame are we talking about here? 5", smaller, larger?  
> **username_2**: It would be helpful if you could expand on what kind of drone you are building.  
> **username_3**: “I have tried aluminium but it's too soft” – note that aluminium isn't aluminium. All commonly used metals are actually alloys and when we say “aluminium” that really means just that Al is the main component. But aircraft-grade aluminium alloy is much stronger than the stuff used for e.g. food packaging. I know it mostly from mountainbikes, where most better models are available in both carbon and Al-alloy versions, and the differences between the materials aren't really that big.  

---

## 8 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-04-28. Score: 21

There's no denying the fact that when it comes to materials that are strong, stiff and light at the same time, carbon fiber is king. If you're looking for performance, there's no way around it. If performance is not the most important thing in the world, however... Well, there are several options.

Before I start listing these, I must point out that *all frames break*. Some break more easily than others, but you can't have an unbreakable frame. The question is how you repair it *when* it breaks, and the answer depends on the material.

* **Plastic frames** are actually a very popular option in micro-sized quadcopters that only weigh tens of grams. These frames usually feature a non-flat shape, prop guards and other features built into them. A subset of those, 3D printed frames, are also quite widely used in DIY designs of larger sizes, and, as everything 3D printed, are a good way of prototyping your design before moving on to other materials. In some cases, where performance is not a concern (for example, if your main focus is having a platform for testing algorithms for which flight time or range is not important at the time, or just want to play around with a design) you may even never move on from a 3D printed frame. While these tend to be heavy and/or brittle compared to other materials, there are some exceptionally light designs, and depending on the intended applications, durability might not be a concern. Besides, if you do break one of these, you can always just print a new one.
  Also keep in mind that there are many different specialized 3D plastics available, such as carbon-impregnated ones, lightweight foaming PLA and others, which, along with clever design, can in fact give you a fairly performant, stiff and/or light frame. All of these have tradeoffs, however, so do your research.
* **Wood and metal/fiberglass** is a staple of "oldschool", large (8"+) DIY drones from the KK2/Naze era. As the drone gets larger, heavier frames tend to impede it less, and any crash could easily break an arm just due to the sheer weight of the drone, no matter what the arm is made of. So this kind of design focuses on repairability instead: one can easily make tens of wooden arms in their workshop for very cheap and swap them when they break. Potentially, one could try to make a smaller wooden frame as well, although at this point lightness becomes important, so I'd advise to stick to lighter woods if you do, maybe even balsa.
  + Full-metal frames are not unheard of as well; Aluminium and titanium are widely-accepted building materials in aviation and actually tend to have better performance than wood. You'll have to use tubes/other non-flat shapes, though.
  + Even though you've ruled out carbon fiber, you may be referring specifically to CNC machining of frames out of flat sheets. Premade carbon fiber elements such as strips and tubing are readily available for order online and are easy to work with using basic tools. A lot of larger drones today are made using the same basic technologies as the wood/metal drones of old, but with arms out of carbon fiber tubes instead of wooden planks. If you're building a large drone, this is a very feasible yet high-performance option.
* Finally, **Pure fiberglass composite**. Glass fiber composites are in fact even stronger per unit weight than their carbon fiber counterparts, but significantly less stiff, which is why you don't usually see them in performance drones: In flight, dynamic and resonant characteristics are more significant than pure strength, the latter coming into play only when you crash. But if the drone flies better, you're less likely to crash in the first place. Still, the difference in stiffness of the material can be overcome with clever profiles, and glass is generally easier to work with than carbon, so there are some niche uses even in performance designs.
  + The first of them is very large drones, which tend not to care as much about neither weight nor aerobatic performance. Here, glass fiber can shine if you've got the facilities to manufacture it. That said, if you're building a very large drone, the frame is likely to be a very small fraction of its cost, so you might just as well order a custom carbon design (or use premade carbon parts like the previous option).
  + The more interesting option, however, is a **PCB frame**, in which the frame is
    not just a structural component, but also carries all the electronics
    that the drone needs to fly. Some fantastically lightweight designs
    have been made using this technique: even though the glass fiber
    itself does not perform as well as carbon, the design makes up for it by ditching
    all the other PCB and wiring weight that would otherwise be carried
    *on top* of the frame in a traditional design. While not optimal for sporty flying, this is the perfect option for a long-range/long
    flight time autonomous design... if you can lay out the PCB, as all
    of the components (flight controller, ESCs, vTX, etc) have to be
    integrated into it.

---

## Some examples for inspiration:

### Plastic frames

Brushed micro quadcopter (tiny whoop) with molded plastic frame:
[![Cockroach whoop](https://i.sstatic.net/70kdE.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/70kdE.png)

2" brushless copter with molded frame:
[![GTR239](https://i.sstatic.net/OYmsu.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/OYmsu.jpg)

Brushless quadcopters with 3D printed frame:
[![3dp brushless 2](https://i.sstatic.net/f7qAf.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/f7qAf.jpg)
[![3dp brushless](https://i.sstatic.net/Beab5.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/Beab5.png)

Foldable brushed 3D printed frame:
[![Foldable 3dp](https://i.sstatic.net/fYpF1.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/fYpF1.jpg)

### Wood/metal homemade frames:

Typical fully wooden H frames of the KK2/Naze era:
[![Wooden H frame](https://i.sstatic.net/TkAtJ.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/TkAtJ.png)
[![Wooden H quad](https://i.sstatic.net/UcNqb.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/UcNqb.jpg)
[![alternative wooden H in flight](https://i.sstatic.net/eBdeO.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/eBdeO.png)

Classic X frame with metal/plastic center plate and wooden arms:
[![Wooden X](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b3/6a/89/b36a8958aa1ed2c55f6c9ab8efb9c990.jpg)](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b3/6a/89/b36a8958aa1ed2c55f6c9ab8efb9c990.jpg)

Very simple wooden X frame:
[![simple wooden X](https://multicopterbuild.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dsc_1623.jpg)](https://multicopterbuild.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dsc_1623.jpg)

Small drone with laser cut wooden frame:
[![Flone](https://i.sstatic.net/L9snF.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/L9snF.png)

Frame with metal arms:
[![metal arm frame](https://i.sstatic.net/OvGmN.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/OvGmN.jpg)

Full-metal frame:
[![metal frame](https://i.sstatic.net/hIVhN.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/hIVhN.png)

H frame out of carbon tubing with 3D printed brackets holding it together:
[![Carbon H](https://i.sstatic.net/rYBCZ.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/rYBCZ.png)

### Glass fiber frames

Molded fiberglass tricopter:
[![Molded fiberglass tricopter](https://i.sstatic.net/ajms4.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/ajms4.png)

PCB frames:
[![ardubee overview](https://i.sstatic.net/EqN5c.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/EqN5c.png)
[![ardubee bare](https://i.sstatic.net/BDImw.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/BDImw.jpg)
[![ardubee weight](https://i.sstatic.net/jaCbD.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/jaCbD.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Good answer! I'd also add if you're printing the frame nylon (PA-12) or carbon reinforced nylon (sometimes branded NylonX) are probably the best bet. They're a pain to deal with as they're extremely hydroscopic though.  
> **username_5**: Just a quick commen on an otherwise excellent answer. Carbon Fiber is not strong and light, so much as it is *stiff* and light. Per unit weight, S-Glass fiberglass is stronger than CF. In fact, CF is substantially weaker compared to many other common materials.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2020-04-28. Score: 6

It depends on what kind of airframe you want to build, what size it is and what you intend to do with it.

Early DIY drones often used moulded plastic, for example he immensely popular DJI Flamewheel. Many camera drones, such as the DJI Phantom, still use that plastic construction to this day.

It was also fairly common to build airframes out of wood.

However, in more recent years, carbon fibre has become the gold standard in terms of weight, strength and price.

Smaller drones, such as Tiny Whoops, as well as toy grade quads may still use plastic as they often don’t have the mass to break plastic frames during a crash, and if you are okay with the risk that a crash at sufficient velocity could destroy your airframe, moulded plastic may be a good option (I say moulded as 3D printed is unlikely to have the required strength).

You say you have tried aluminium, however there is an important distinction to make. Thin aluminium sheets would be fairly malleable, however a section of aluminium extrusion or a rectangular aluminium pipe (or even a circular aluminium pipe if you can find a way to mount the motors) will probably provide enough strength for low-impact activities.

You could, of course, construct your airframe out of wood, however finding sufficiently light and strong wood may prove to be a challenge.

Companies like Banggood and Hobbyking carry carbon and ship to most of the world; if you haven’t tried these I recommend giving them a look.

It is also important to keep in mind that modern flight controllers have filtering to make almost anything (including a taxidermist cat - it’s real) fly.


---

### Answer by username_7 on 2020-04-29. Score: 5

Polycarbonate frames can work quite well, but they will flex more. I have made a lot of them and they get a lot of flying time in carpark racing locally.


---

### Answer by username_8 on 2020-04-29. Score: 4

It would indeed be helpful to know what kind of quadcopter you are looking to make.
  
I have made several quadcopters and one octocopter, but all with the purpose of aerial photography, not racing. Always used aluminum frames. Here is why.

Plenty and cheap availability. Most DIY stores have the 10mm square section tubes needed for the arms. The price was under 2 euros for 1 meter piece. Bought plenty.

> I have tried aluminium but it's too soft and so needs repairs

Indeed, in case of crashes. And that is a plus for aluminum. In case of a crash it will bend. This means that part of the energy of the hit will be absorbed by an aluminum frame. Whereas on a rigid frame you risk that most of the energy will be transferred to the precious electronics. For this purpose I weaken the arms a bit by drilling holes in them just before they get under the plate that holds the electronics. After a crash you just discard the torn arm and put a new one in place. Because, you know, it's cheap.  
  
Aluminum, on the other hand, is plenty rigid for flight, even in case of acrobatics.  
Many of the other materials suggested (woods, plastics) are not quite as rigid. This will likely cause flutter of your arms in flight leading to an overall less stable airframe.  
Normally I use wood for the plate holding the electronics (attach it with dampeners, to reduce vibrations as much as possible) and the camera gimbal.


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### Answer by username_9 on 2020-04-29. Score: 4

Before carbon fiber frames became popular, I was building my frames with wood. This worked quite well for cruising around, but if you are building a racing drone, then carbon is your best option. If you can't get carbon, try plywood as it is layered and the layers will add a bit more durability. I'm referring to hobby grade plywood that ranges in thickness.


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### Answer by username_10 on 2020-12-17. Score: 3

I would personally shy away from PCB frames as PCBs are not intended to have the stresses which quad flying, and crashing, will ultimately inflict on the frame. The traces and solder points are prone to failure with these stresses. I would stick with a separate pcb which is smaller and and can be located in a protected part of the aircraft.


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### Answer by username_11 on 2020-05-05. Score: 3

Depending on your application, a wood frame with a fiberglass wrap may be an option. Many balsa wood r/c airplanes and gliders have their wing center section wrapped with fiberglass and epoxy. When done right it's incredibly strong for a modest weight gain. Obviously, this wouldn't be the best option for all situations but may be worth a look.

Check youtube and the usual r/c forums on how to do it if you are unfamiliar.


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### Answer by username_12 on 2020-05-07. Score: 3

**Bamboo** is surprisingly close to carbon fiber rods and tubes in all properties except cost.  
For more complicated shapes, wrap **fiberglass cloth** around a removable mandrel, or over a lightweight core such as foam (which you can even dissolve away after the fiberglass has hardened, for extra lightness).


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