This document is intended to be a guide during the assembly of an ELEV-8 Quadcopter. It is not a step
by step walk-through of how to assemble the platform. In this document you will find specific instructions
on how to assemble components that should be followed. These will help to decrease your potential for
catastrophic failure of your ELEV-8. You will also find broad suggestions on assembly of components and
their counter parts that are not as detrimental to one specific way of assembly, which leaves the door open
for creativity and customization of the craft. There is no way to fully eliminate your potential for unwanted
operation, as user error cannot be fully accounted for! With this said, let’s get building!
Open “ELEV-8 Assembly Document.pdf”, as it is the counterpart to this guide, and will be the reference
for this process. In this guide, you will find references to specific items in the Assembly Doc. They will
have the corresponding item number next to each of the references. For example, on Page 1 of the
Assembly Doc, if we were to reference the Prop Adapter, it would be referenced as “Prop Adapter(5)”.
We have identified the part name, as well as the item number in the drawings.
STEP 1: Motor/Propeller Assembly
We start with the motors, as they are the only components that require the use of Blue Loctite, so we want
to give the Loctite ample time to dry and set. The components needed for the assembly of the motors, are
in the Turnigy motor’s package. The Blue Loctite 242 that is required is located in the Hardware Kit.
Ensure to place Loctite on the Set screws(7) and on the Flat Head Screws(6), as these are areas that have
been known to come loose during flight, and could lead to a catastrophic failure of the motor, and of the
craft. Now would be a good time to solder your 16 AWG wire to your motors. A good length that we have
found to work well is 12 inches of wire per lead. Any more and you have excess wire in your chassis area,
and any less tends to increase your amount of headaches down the road. Soldering your leads directly to
the motor, and having EC3 connectors on the ESC side of the leads has been found to work well. Which
ever method you choose, ensure that you will have the ability to disconnect the Motor’s wires from the
ESC. You need this capability due to the fact that each motor will need to be connected to it’s ESC in a
different way. When you check your motor direction later in the build, you will need to have the ability of
switching wire connections to change the rotation direction of the motors. This will all be done in Step 4,
when you connect the Boom Assemblies to the Chassis, and wire your harness. Once you have assembled
your motor and soldered on your leads, be sure to heat shrink the solder points and cover exposed
connections. Repeat this process for all four motors before proceeding on to the next step.
STEP 2: Motor/Boom Assembly
Make all additions and modifications to the Motor Boom(1); such as LED tape, Checker tape and Clear
heat shrink, before putting together the Motor/Boom Assembly. Use the Checkered tape(2), or method of
your choice, to make two Red and two Black Boom Assemblies for ease of identifying front from rear
during flight. Once modifications have been completed, feed the Motor’s leads down the boom. Once the
wires have been run, attach the Motor Assembly(10) to the Motor Mount Bottom(4). Next, attach the
Motor Mount Top(5) using the hardware per the Assembly Doc. The Nylon Standoffs(6) will not be used
until you attach the Boom Assembly to the Chassis. Place the standoffs in a safe place until later. Repeat
this process for all four Motor/Boom Assemblies before proceeding on to the next step.
STEP 3: Assembly of Top Chassis Plate with Standoffs
The Chassis plates are identical, so you do not need to check for and verify which board is the top and
which is the bottom. You can use either plate for the bottom and top. The Standoffs(2) need to be attached
to the Top Chassis Plate(1) now, as you will not have access to the bottom side of the Chassis Plate later on
during assembly.
STEP 4: Assembly of Boom Arms to Chassis Plates
To attach your Boom Arms to the Chassis plate, and get a “Rolling Chassis” as they say, you will want to
attach the plate that you are using as the “Bottom” first. Set the “Top” plate aside for the time being, as
you will need it at the end.
You will use the 1” screw(7) on the inner hole of the Boom Arm, and the 1 ¼” screw(6) on the outer hole,
per the Assembly Doc. The larger screw goes through the outer hole due to the Landing Gear needing to be
