RC Aircraft Thrust Stand Version 2 - Hack of a Kitchen Scale for only $10

thingiverse

I've Designed Another RC Thrust Stand That's Smarter and More Efficient. The previous version was built using an equal arm balance, but this one is more compact, requires less tweaking, and gives a more accurate reading without having to deduct the weight of components. It Works by Allowing the Thrust Produced to Drive Against the Sensors Embedded in the Arms. Even Without Electronic Skills, You Can Make This Happen By Buying a Kitchen Scale From Amazon, Specifically Item # B00MN0NI90 - DecoBros Digital Food Scale (a great alternative is the Etekcity Multifunction Platform with Batteries and Stainless Steel Surface - Item# B076BJG1RN). A Small Trip to Radio Shack Got Me a 2 AAA Battery Holder Instead of Reusing the Coin Cell. These Batteries Will Last Much Longer, so Don't Bother Trying To Get the Job Done Cheap. Printing out the parts is Simple, as are Instructions on How to Dismantle the Scale and Carefully Handle the Four Sensor Plates (Follow the Pictures for Clarity). Next, Remove the Metal Plate Atop the Scale - Just a Few Screws And Double-Sided Tape - Before Using A Dremel Tool To Cut Out Sections of the Plastic Frame. Watch out For Those Wires! After that, Use Your Flush Cutters to Take Off the Feet From the Sensor Plates Without Any Trouble; Don't Even Think About Trying to Get It Done with a Dremel. Grinding or Altering the Metal Plates will Affect Their Accuracy In Measuring Thrust. Don't Accidentally Bend The Metal's Edge; There Are Strain Gauges Below, Which Could Ruin The Performance. Using Screws at Hinge Points Will Do Just Fine. Instead, I Opted For a Soft 12-Gauge Aluminum Wire Perfect for Crafting Long Pins Without Difficulty. Lastly, Attach Your Thrust Stand Permanently to A Solid Surface - Leaving Room for Propeller Rotation, Of Course - And Make Sure No Air Flows Back Into the Area Where The Propeller Sits.