Looks like there are various choices when it comes to mounting motors on foamies (either scratch built) or even small electric ARF kits (made out of balsa/depron/etc).

Can people experienced in this post pictures of their motor mountings, along with a description of the tools, materials (glue, balsa, metal etc) and techniques used.  We are looking for the "different" ways of doing it, so post the unique ways you have tackled this issue.

It is interesting to see mounts where the motor can be easily removed and/or replaced. A lot of times, it is difficult to remove a motor from its mount without actually ripping apart the existing mount (like if you screw a motor to a sheet of plywood, and then fix the plywood on the fuselage using epoxy).

Ply wood Mount used on a stick.
sai

if you want easy mounting and demounting of motor...try using a nut, bolt and washer instead of screws.

Regards
Ankur Kaul

See, that is why I was looking for detail, especially to help beginners 

How is the stick attached to fuse ?  How is the ply attached to stick ?  How is the motor attached to ply (with another metal motor mount) ?

And this is only one case, where the back of the plywood mount is almost accessible.  For many foamies with thicker fuses (or box fuses), the back of the ply mount is not accessible.  So how do you make sure the motor can be removed/replaced; after the ply mount itself is permanently glued.  That kind of thing......?

Ok, here is one that I built recently with a J&J bandage tape roll and some bits of plastics thats used for name plates at the office.

Creative   

hello,
Most of the below information may be already known to the fellow modellers but... still
pl find some of the standard ways to mount an electric motor.
some of the important criteria for the mounts aprat from being light and strong are:
- Should easily removable and remountable w/o spoiling the foam.
- Should be able to adjust the thrust angle.
- Possibility to give good strain relief and accessibility to the motor wires.

pl see the pictures

pl see the pictures

pl see the pictures.
see the large motor mount.
Also see the simple Cable tie mount. This is very usefull to mount all types of in runners.

hello,
l
pl find some of the non standard ways to mount which i have experimented in mounting an electric motor.
some of the important criteria for the mounts apart from being light and strong are:
- Should be easily removable and remountable w/o spoiling the foam.
- Should be able to adjust the thrust angle.
- Possibility to give good strain relief and accessibility to the motor wires.
One simple way to mount the bearing tube type of motors (Famous Blue wonder) is to mount it on a simple sheet of plastic/ pcb cut outs/ bamboo etc.  Use sewing thred profusely to bind the bearing tube to the sheet. Use some glue also. later this piece can be embedded in to the foam
Another way is to insert the tube in to a tight plastic tube ( Like ryanold pen cap etc...)
pl see the pictures.

Another idea is to use small plastic bottles cap and thread.
- Cut the threaded portion ( Only the thread portion +10- 15 mm) and embed this pice in the foam.
- Mount the motor on to the bottle cap.

This is very good when you wnat to use the same motor on different models. Just unscrew the Cap and use it on another model.
pl see the pictures.

When you want to mount small brushless motors ( 2 grms to 16 grams), you can thry these.
These mounts can be easily made from Glass sliding aluminum channels ( Any hardware shop)
For bigger motors, the wooden motor mounts can be easily cut from 2mm Vinear sheet or balsa.

pl see the pictures.

When it comes to mount 5/ 10/ 16/ 25 grams motors, i have found this method vey very nice and effective.
- use the empty refill tube 3 pieces of 2 inch length.
- On one end mount the three motors screws.
- Now mount the tube on to the foam using hot melt with the required thrust angle.
- Once the tube is fixed, motor can be removed unscrewing, the screws.
- very light weight and strong.

Another way i found but not used to to use the accessories used by Golf people. These are available in golf shop. Can drill the holes and then embed them in to the foam.

do not throw away these items. they are very usefull for this hobby esc scratch built

Nice collection of Ideas Astha....Really Impressed......... best one was sliding window channel. i have tried that one...and was good for light motors.......

thanks sandeep. But for small motors, do try the refill tube idea. it is really nice and much much more strong. Also u can remove the motor w/o spoiling the foam.

While the refill tube idea is really ingenious  , isn't it a bit risky unless you find the exact sized screw ? 

It seems like you will run the risk of tearing the tube, unless you find screws that are near perfect ? 

dear anwar,
admittedly, i had not gone thru this iste extensively. so when i saw a thread on motor mounts, thought i should share soem of my experiences. So last night i quckly arranged whatever i had and took photos  in order to post them here. So it was not perfect.
The refill works perfect and you should see it to believe. I have used it invariably on most of my 5/10/and 16 gram motor models. It has never given me any problem. In fact i was unable to take out the tubes from the foam. the screw that i used is 2.5mm/ 5mm steel screws and they are perfect for Reynod type refills. I will post some clearer photos later.
Same idea can work with 3/4 mm refills also i am sure for larger motors.
I wait for some feed back after some body tries this. i recommend it from the point of the easiness and rigidity of its usage.
thanks
ashta

I'm going to use the bottle cap and neck idea for a couple of foam models. Right now in model stock verification mode so building is the only activity that I can do.

Great Ideas...  Truely Ingenious   

I am going to try the window channel idea, but I wonder, if that can be done for Mr Moss (I want to avoid drilling a hole in the fuse). The motor is 2850 brushless weighing about 32 grams. The motor mount that came with the kit is not matching any of the holes on the motor... Can anyone chip in an idea or two 

Here is the pic of mount that came with the kit. (image flipped from Ashta's post  ) Ofcourse, I can use some other mount and keep this for stock to be used later... By the way, for those not familiar with MOSS, the fuse on which motor is to be mounted is a 10 mm carbon fibre square rod... 

Used Zip Tag or Cable tie instead of screws works fine .
If  you want to use fasteners only  then cyno a small piece of Ply to the mount and use fastners.

Sai

Hey Ashta, I think for me your bottle cap idea is THE WINNER. I have converted my Picojet using a coke bottle cap and everyone at club was amazed at my motor mount.
It can be unscrewed to change the motor, I will put some images some time, for now just a short incomplete video of a very windy day................. Well done buddy.

 

Motor mount made of coro and sim card plastic

1. Cut two square pieces of coro and sim card plastic
2. Stick the coro pieces so that the flutes are perpendicular to each other as in pic 1 and stick the plastic on both sides of the coro sheets. Drill hole as per your motor
3. Take tooth picks and break them to proper size so that when you insert into the motor and through the motor mount it sticks out on both sides
4. put rubber bands as in pic 2

all this is ok
but how to mount big motors
i mean +250 watt motors

Where does one get 'sim card plastic'?

When you get a new mobile sim embedded in a credit card sized plastic sheet, you typically discard the rest of that credit card sized sheet of plastic after pulling out just the sim card.  I believe Azhagu used that sturdy piece of plastic.

Sample picture :

Yes anwar exactly the same thing. I think this method can be used only for small foamies with small motors.

Well, I think it depends on whether the model is a a tractor or a pusher.

In a tractor configuration, the prop is trying to take the motor mount forward while the weight of the plane resists this movement. For this reason, a strong firewall and strong bond between the plane and the motor is needed.

In a pusher configuration, the motor is pushing the plane so the force of the motor is actually strengthening the bond between the firewall and the plane. In this case, I am just using cellotape to stick the motor to the plane. It works

Im using the same method as azhaguvel has suggested i.e. sim card plastic method . But i wanto ask one thing that , can we use the double sided tape to attached the plastic to fuse , is it durable ?

can double sided tape withstand the motor during flight ?

im using the following motor :

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__18324__TURNIGY_2204_14T_19g_Outrunner_AUS_Warehouse_.html

thank u .....!!

- saurab.

waiting for someone's reply .............    

- saurab.

You should use some type of glue.  Hot glue or 5 minute epoxy are commonly used for this.

For a pusher configuration, double sided tape may work OK, as the motor pushes against the tape, instead of pulling away from it.

Double sided tape works great under pressure. I once saw on nat geo a strength test where two cars were pulling a cable joint by double sided tape in opp. directions!

Carrom Striker is another option, you can sand it to reduce its thickness, buy the cheap ones, it costs less, less weight and does hot cut easily

Absolutely 

Most of my foami mount has been carrom strikers

What an idea

Dominos manufactures 22mm motor mounts....

Pizza hut manufactures 28mm +- 5mm Motor mounts......

See pics for yourself.....    

These are bit expensive somewhere around 300Rs for 3 !!!! but you get free pizza (medium or bigger) with them 

One such mount on my wing wing lookalike......

Lmaozz, Good one there..

HaHa,

U can send the free Pizza to me....Neways cool innovative idea of using those plastic supports...

Regards

     Nice Creativity

brilliant.

i am using 3.mm ply & cut into round shape & make 4 nos (90 degree) slot on ply edge...& fix through epoxy..
attached image...

laxman

Nice one Saurabh....    ...I am hungry now...
Deepak

neat

i often move my motor from 1 fuse to another plane fuse ,im using ply as motor mount.motor is 2204. by removing motor every time the threading on the ply is getting loose the screw is fitting loosely and doesnt give a tight fit ,any one tried something were v can keep moving the same motor

Removable nose, toothpicks, rubber bands. Toothpick pinning required as that is a 300 watt motor! See pics.

MOD EDIT
Straightened images

use blind nuts on the back of the ply - then the screws won't get loose

what exacatly is blind nut.will the tiny scew of the 2204 motor fit in the nut

Theleabres. Shame on you. Guy has screws loose. You tell him  about blind nuts which are for (b)olts.

Simplest solution for loose mounting screws for elec motors is a drop of CA in the holes in the ply plate. Used this even today.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious.  I use nails with my blind bolts with some bubble gum too.
Read post #2. 

If one can get Gorilla Glue or PU30 D4 adhesive, this is very good as the glue expands when it comes in contact with moisture. Mix a bit of sawdust in glue and just a drop in your foamy or balsa plane will expand 2 to 3 times its original size. I use cocktail sticks (these are made of hard woods compared to toothpicks that are from soft wood) these are driven into the foamy's firewall, pulled out and a drop of Gorilla glue is added on each hole, cocktail stick driven in again......MOTOR MOUNT WILL NEVER MOVE..
(the black tiles are 600 x 600mm // 2ft x 2ft ...to give you an idea of size wingspan is nearly 50 inches)
Deepak

tried hunting for nut can find any here as the screw too small have tried the CA in the ply screw hole now, lets see if it does the trick and helps while shifting motor n fitting back

i found a good video for making a motor mount http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_289376&feature=iv&src_vid=bta80gyHK7Q&v=JNWwgOYBfjs

I made a ply mount last week for a new GWS Slow Flyer Cub

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25795888&postcount=3705

how do I mount avionics micro motor.
They have three holes but none of them is threaded also the holes are big. My motor didn't come with screws.
I was thinking of using zip ties can I

Buy screws

what sort of screws are you talking about nuts and bolts won't they be heavy

post a photo of the motor.

this motor http://www.rcbazaar.com/products/1944-avionic-m223015-kv1780-micro-brushless-motor.aspx

thin plywood, use small wood screws.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25795888&postcount=3705

then glue the plywood into the foam.

sir, this method can't be used as it is not that type of motor

The "X looking thing" is the mount.  You need to attach that to a type of firewall. That is the most common method.

where can I get it.
and won't it be heavy
Sir for that X looking thing I need a motor which is like bluewonder or hextronic 24gram motor. Unfortunately my motor is not like that

@rcnitesh.

Here is the link to the photos
http://www.rcindia.org/electric-planes/basic-foam-built-trainer-model-build-log/msg176054/#msg176054

Sir, Thanks a lot
didn't understand the third pic

Apart from debit cards, you can also use PCBs. They are much more rigid and easier to drill through.

Here's what I do when I don't have an X-mount.
1) Get the mounting hole dimensions of the motor.
2) Create a 2D drawing of the mounting holes in google sketchup and print it.
3) Stick the printout on a PCB and drill the holes.

Make 3 holes in that plastic card. apply little fevicol in those bamboo skewers and put it in the foam, let it dry.. then it wont come out..

refer this link to my post

http://www.rcindia.org/electric-planes/basic-foam-built-trainer-model-build-log/msg175209/#msg175209

@Swapnil

I have Desi jugaad for drill machine..     incense sticks

Cool!

I used to heat a nail or screw-driver for making holes when I was 13 and didn't own a drilling machine. I miss that. Using some 'jugaad' is much more fun than using a machine to do something!

can i use incense sticks in pcb

No, PCBs require a drilling machine. You can get a PCB hand-drill for around  90.

 can I heat a nail.
I have a PCB so will try on it

No, but you can try reaming. First make a small hole with a nail or pointed blade. Then you can make it larger by reaming it with scissors.

thanks all

Anyone listening...

You can use the Mica sheets that are used as capping for plywood. If you notice, Mica sheet inside surface has grains. So if one sticks two pieces of mica with the grains sides facing each other and aligned at 90 degrees, we get thin plywood which can then be shaped to what ever purpose, be it motor mounts or sidewalls or elevons or elevators or rudders, flaps etc. They are available in any carpenters shop or wood works common in most cities in India

Just sharing a thought if anyone is interested

Saju

where i can get transmitter and receiver in pune city

Why don't you post this in the correct place? Make some effort to contribute to the sanctity of the forum

if you are starting off you can try https://www.rcbazaar.com/... they have a shop at Baner in Pune.

else you can order online from www.rcmumbai.com


and yes... please move this question under the "RC Outlets" header in the forum.