Field Case

ian1954 Sun Oct 13, 2013 1:32 pm

I received the latest copy of Aeromodeller magazine yesterday - skimmed through it and was drawn to an article on using a readily available (well in the UK!) tool case to build one.

The plastic was softish and, although requiring some pressure and several passes, was easily cut with a craft knife.

It was easily scalpelled to accept a motorcycle battery, power panel, battery charger and all my leads. I also added another sort of charger which is driven from the battery for charging unmentionables (to some!)

Field Case Field_10

I only have to lift the left hand (yellow) lid to draw out the lead for charging the battery. Everything else isn't permanently connected and just needs crocdile clipping to the extended battery posts or plugging into the powerr panel (after connecting).

pkrankow Sun Oct 13, 2013 2:10 pm

Do yourself a favor and get a rubber or plastic cap on those battery terminals so they can't be accidentally shorted. A split piece of garden hose is a good choice, but there surely is better.

That is a fantastic idea. I have that exact box for my soldering and electronics repair kit. They are big, handy and cheap, but the plastic catches on the yellow lids break easily.

Phil

(I cut up cheap tool boxes often enough because the results are valuable)

duke.johnson Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:17 am

Nicely done! I have a hobby flight box and have never been happy with it.

**Cribbs74** Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:11 am

Hey Ian!

I have the exact same case as my flight box! Funny!

I can't stand mine though. I have to dig for what I need and I can't organize it. Plus it's my sons.

I plan on making one out of ply. I wonder if there is plans somewhere?

ian1954 Tue Oct 15, 2013 4:44 am

Cribbs74 wrote:Hey Ian!

I have the exact same case as my flight box! Funny!

I can't stand mine though. I have to dig for what I need and I can't organize it. Plus it's my sons.

I plan on making one out of ply. I wonder if there is plans somewhere?

http://betterfly.ca/RC_plan_other.html

http://www.teamseaholm.com/photoalbum/supertbox/index.htm

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1217563

http://www.greenhobbymodel.com/tridium_model_plans/tridium_flight_box.htm

**Cribbs74** Tue Oct 15, 2013 9:03 am

Thanks Ian! I should be able to come up with something. You did a good job with your Box BTW!

roddie Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:26 pm

ian1954 wrote:
Cribbs74 wrote:Hey Ian!

I have the exact same case as my flight box! Funny!
I plan on making one out of ply. I wonder if there is plans somewhere?
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1217563

Ron, This one that Ian listed, looks like it would be better for your larger models... The 1st link was cool too... but a completely "open" design, which gets dirty inside real fast. You "can" however see everything... and the bins are shallow. I don't like having to "dig" for things either... You can always design your own; taking from other designs features... to perfectly suit your needs. 1/8" plexi-glass hinged "bin covers" would keep dirt out, and give you a visual of where items are.

roddie Wed Dec 25, 2019 6:01 pm

Seems a good point in time for a New Year's resolution. How about designing/building a new field tote for 2020. Better yet; design and build what we'll call a "Field Companion" for a particular model that you plan to run. An extension of the model itself; a tote containing possibly; spare glow-plugs, propellers.. special tools pertaining to that model, and maybe a notebook for jotting-down any particulars.. on a particular day. A "Field-Companion" would tell the story of your experience with the model. A worthwhile testament to leave. A model might well survive its creator..

NEW222 Wed Dec 25, 2019 8:41 pm

That is an interesting concept roddie of the 'field companion' for a specific model. That would definately work well for some that are better at flying than myself that CAN bring a plane home in one piece or a couple to be able to fly again...... I do have a couple Beginner Ringmasters that this may be feasible for doing it for. I could see a small box with limited equipment to run a small 1/2a plane.

fredvon4 Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:29 pm

Roger Harris made a bunch of stuff for us and faded away.......sad Phred...cuz I really wanted one of his Lazer cut COX field boxes....

I have no clue why CEF software limits me to only search back to 2018....grrrrrrrr......seriously Admin, please fix this if you can.....my brain no good but I can remember threads and comments...no longer searchable

freddy --------staring at my RH ringmaster beginners biplane I flew in the Fly A thon(s) before I had my 2 strokes....pulmonary not glow fuel....pun not intended

**944_Jim** Thu Dec 26, 2019 6:14 pm

Does this field box need to be big?
ISTR posting one I built from a kit, and Roddie had line drawings on old computer paper. It is a 12" base, with two slide-open compartments on each side, and a larger one in the middle. The center section has V-shaped rests for holding a model for various tasks.
I bet I could find pics, or that post once again.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3069170-Lets-See-A-Picture-of-Your-1-2A-Field-Box

**944_Jim** Thu Dec 26, 2019 7:05 pm

fredvon4 wrote:
I have no clue why CEF software limits me to only search back to 2018....grrrrrrrr......seriously Admin, please fix this if you can.....my brain no good but I can remember threads and comments...no longer searchable

Fred,
I cheat. You can Google your username and CoxEngineForum.com to see some pretty old posts. Add to that a few keywords, and let Google search from off-site to find some old stuff! This is how I find posts I remember making, but can't remember the details.

Oldenginerod Thu Dec 26, 2019 9:37 pm

Here's Roger's contribution from way back. The thread mentions the possibility of him selling them as a glue-together kit. Not sure if that happened.

Mark Boesen Thu Dec 26, 2019 10:59 pm

Here's my old faithful, was a 8th (1972) grade wood shop project, classic toolbox (for U/C planes) made from 'rock' maple. Early 80's added ends for Tx and fuel as well as cut small drawer for tools & props. By mid 90's added detachable power panel and larger bottom drawer. Now days it sits and waits on work bench...

roddie Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:16 pm

944_Jim wrote:Does this field box need to be big?
ISTR posting one I built from a kit, and Roddie had line drawings on old computer paper. It is a 12" base, with two slide-open compartments on each side, and a larger one in the middle. The center section has V-shaped rests for holding a model for various tasks.
I bet I could find pics, or that post once again.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3069170-Lets-See-A-Picture-of-Your-1-2A-Field-Box

It was called the "Little Pit Kit" by Global.

I left mine natural.. and applied clear varnish/poly. The photos below were taken just now, with one round/quart fuel bottle in the central compartment.

This tote is small.. but it has enough space for an average afternoon's 1/2A control-line flight-support. The open/central compartment below the carry-handle measures; 5"W. X 10.75"L. The inside walls are 5.75" vertically, along the length of the tote. There's ample space for several reels of line, a couple different handles, starter-battery/leads and clip, sunglasses..

The two side-compartments have sliding panels on top. TOOLS, spare propellers, glow-heads, line-clips/connectors, razor-knife, glue, back-up 1.5V battery/clip.. wiping-rags.. would all easily fit. Those side-compartments measure 11.5"L X 3.0"W. X 3.75"H. each.

I suppose that a mini-panel could be installed.. if that's something you want. I'm used to having a panel-type glow-driver.. but this tote is too small for my standard-size panels. I use a Cox glow-clip with 18AWG wire and banana-plugs to start my Cox engines most of the time. I imagine that there's compact Lithium batteries that can power a panel.. and possibly an AC inverter if need be.

Now that I took another look at this little tote (was packed-away in a wardrobe..) I see a lot more potential with modern electronics/batteries.

**944_Jim** Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:38 pm

Yup. Same kit, another take:

roddie Fri Dec 27, 2019 8:51 pm

I Like that mini-panel Jim. Hobby Shack has a "Turnigy" mini-panel for around $10.

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-mini-power-panel-12v-with-auto-glow-driver.html

It measures 85mm across.. which is about half the width of a standard power-panel. I'm thinking it would fit nicely in the lower-wall below the handle. There's 5" inside-width to the central compartment. A partition and lid could be made to isolate the panel and its battery from the rest of the center-compartment.

EDIT: currently out of stock and no ETA Rolling Eyes

NEW222 Fri Dec 27, 2019 9:43 pm

Yeah, nice little power panel Jim.... Very Happy

I like mine on my 1/2a field tote as well. Although mine has never left my garage and use it on my bench for bench running my engines.

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