Yes! I noticed that! Good way to build it. I did tabs and slots for the PCBs on Loki (biped 'bot). And PCB can be soldered as well. I don’t have a laser, but I do cut a lot of PCB stock with a CNC’d mill.
Looking forward to seeing your video!
Alan KM6VV
Eric,
I thought maybe it was. I like it!
I’ll have to compare notes, I’ve now got a 6DOF SparkFun IMU, a barometer and GPS to play with. And Arduino processors, of course.
Alan KM6VV
I have ordered a couple of IMU from a guy near me who design and make them.
Will order more if needed… 
Magnetometer - Gyro - Acceleromter - Barometer
All i2c bus
That thing is awesome. Are you guys planning on making a kit of it available eventually or is this a personal project?
It’s just a personal project for me. I have considered selling them, but they’re not really our style. We like to provide accurate detailed instructions, which would be very time consuming, and to be honest a kit like this would be a support nightmare. Not to mention the liability of selling flying lawn mowers… I cut myself pretty good testing the first version of this. 
Pssst…
i am…!
Playing
My new DiaLFonZo-Copter MiniControl
35mm x 35mm
MPU-6050 (Gyro + Acc)
atmega QFN32
A LED on each side
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6793399434_1f8f687159.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6797382468_93214de3b1.jpghttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6943497553_930f4f6626.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6943497591_7e0a27a481.jpg
6DOF? 9DOF??
Alan KM6VV
Gyro 3axis + Accelerometer 3axis
I2c
I suppose that’s all you basically need for a flyer. 3 axis magnetometer would also be useful, as would be GPS. How about barometer?
Alan KM6VV
In fact… to fly you only need the gyro
Yes, I see that in studying the parts of the 450. Still makes me want to add a full 6DOF IMU! That should make it really simple to fly! But I think I want to keep it real.
Flying your 'quad must be considerably different from flying the 450?
Alan KM6VV
In fact on a 450 helicopter you don’t have Gyro on the cyclic.
Only on the Tail
The “Flybar” on the helicopter act like a gyro mecanicaly
If you fly a Quad with gyro only it’s exacly the same as a 450 heli
Adding an Accelerometer give you AutoLevel feature.
That is considerably easier to fly
There is a version of Multiwii has is made to do Heli stabilisation
Didn’t try it yet but will…
That’s right, only a tail gyro. What gyros do you like? Align’s current, or are the HK ones OK?
So the Quad controls are cyclic, collective and yaw, just like the 450?
I’ve got the Futaba T7C radio, 7 channels. That’s what kept me away from climbing up the Blade line of micro helis, like the hobby shops recommend (push?).
Seems one could add one of your IMU boards to the 450. But that might make it too easy!
Alan KM6VV
That will not be easy… tuning will be needed to make it fly.
I have use both Futaba and HK gyro…
I can suggest your the HK gyro. it’s a good gyro.
You need to open it and glue the inside to make sure it don’t play
Yes Quad is exacly the same command
Well all that IMU update stuff can wait until I can get flying on the 450 or 500.
Alan KM6VV
I know that it don’t have the same look…
But i would suggest a Quad… since it’s the same flying so you get a “Sim”
Quad are harder to break and if you break… mostly prop.
Hit the ground once with a Heli… and $$$
Yeah, I THOUGHT that’s where I was going, bought IMU, GPS, looking at parts. But after remembering the times I had with my dad, I’m drawn to a real heli. I need to back away and continue my do-diligence.
Actually the thought of being able to build a heli (quad) from scratch parts, and be able to fly it IS quite remarkable! How about reversable-pitch blades on a quad? (I guess I’m just enthralled with swashplates and all that linkage!)
Have you got a parts/price list for a sample 'quad?
Alan KM6VV
Always interested in your thoughts!
In fact the Multiwii soft can handle variable pitch …
But all project i see going nowhere… since there is no real need … and it add a lot of weight.
You already have the transmitter…
4x motor (around 10$ each)
4x ESC ( Around 10$ each)
Controller (anywhere between 50 and 1400)
Wire… etc
Frame…
