So, I've had an idea for the longest time about making a personal, miniature helicopter. I was doing research, and I found this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D31WGnKTUE
(Higher quality version here: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/0 ... lifts.html )
And now I know it's possible!
I was thinking of a design just like this, with twin rotors to cancel the spinning forces of the other. Except, I was thinking of a backpack-like design.
There seems to be some kind of part holding the rotors. It looks like it's connected to the engine and provides two output shafts - each turning in opposite directions. Is this a custom-made/DIY part or can it be bought somewhere?
The rotors are another issue. Where can you get rotors like that?
What kind of engine is he running there? I was thinking a lawnmower engine would be acceptable for this task. Even though it was made to spin a grass-cutting blade, it could do the job if you don't use it at top speed a lot. It's difficult to tell from the video, but it doesn't look like a lawnmower engine, even though it's one of the youtube tags. (but you know, that means nothing.)
Technically, any engine could do the task if it can crank out enough RPMs.
Plus, all new lawnmower engines are vertical shaft.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D31WGnKTUE
(Higher quality version here: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/0 ... lifts.html )
And now I know it's possible!
I was thinking of a design just like this, with twin rotors to cancel the spinning forces of the other. Except, I was thinking of a backpack-like design.

There seems to be some kind of part holding the rotors. It looks like it's connected to the engine and provides two output shafts - each turning in opposite directions. Is this a custom-made/DIY part or can it be bought somewhere?
The rotors are another issue. Where can you get rotors like that?
What kind of engine is he running there? I was thinking a lawnmower engine would be acceptable for this task. Even though it was made to spin a grass-cutting blade, it could do the job if you don't use it at top speed a lot. It's difficult to tell from the video, but it doesn't look like a lawnmower engine, even though it's one of the youtube tags. (but you know, that means nothing.)
Technically, any engine could do the task if it can crank out enough RPMs.
Plus, all new lawnmower engines are vertical shaft.