How can one approximate the amount of weight that any given quadcopter build can lift?

[G+_Donald Burr]

How can one approximate the amount of weight that any given quadcopter build can lift?  Are there any websites where you can plug in the various specs of your parts (frame size, motors, battery, etc.) and get an approximation, or any tutorials that explain how to do these calculations yourself?

[G+_Jared Bartimus]

Most motors have thrust specifications for common props / battery combinations. If you take the maximum thrust of one motor and multiply it by the number of motors that gives you the absolute maximum weight including frame and motors that you could have and still hover.

 

I believe you generally want to divide that by 2 at minimum so you have good performance. (2:1 thrust / weight ratio) if you want lots of speed and trick capability divide it by a larger number.

[G+_Ben Reese]

Plus you'll never get the maximum thrust. I've wondered the same thing though, so there are tutorials out there. You just have to remember that more weight means you use more power and need bigger batteries which take away from your weight... How much are you wanting to haul?

[G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ]

Remember... we always give ourselves a 20% safety margin. Always assume that batteries, motors, and ESCs will underperform.