Show Off Your Field Box

NEW222 wrote:Awesome, thank you.

A better way of installing the hose (spinner-cup) would be to place a couple Du-Bro type wheel collars on the motor-shaft (1/8" to fit the common 1/8" shaft) and bush/glue the hose on over them. Some motor shafts have a flat on them for the set-screw to tighten on. You can grind a shallow flat using a dremel tool while holding the shaft-end from spinning by using needle-nose pliers. The collars may loosen otherwise. If the motor used has a pressed-on gear as mine did; glue the hose on over it. If the hose is a tight fit.. it may stay attached fine. A small plastic zip-tie might help. The hose-clamp that I used on mine isn't the greatest idea.. because it's not balanced. I'm actually going to re-fit the hose using one of the methods described above.. and discard the small hose-clamp.

The hose clamp is one idea I thought of and was going to use but was concerned for the same reasons you are. I do like the glue idea as my gear is pressed on too. Thanks again.

When I built my combat field box (now re-purposed to flight testing) I decided to use two of the Cyclon 2VDC lead acid primary cells

The panel has a volt meter telling me battery voltage NOT output VDC...in use the batteries each can run a long while before sagging under 1.5VDC (my switch battery point)

The Meter requires a 6~9VDC source to run the display, hence the 9VDC bat
The set up needs to have the 2VDC dropped a bit to NOT blow 1.5VDC plugs-- so I have a 5 watt .010 Ohm resister and heat sink (the blue item in center)..this gives me about 1.65 VDC out from the 2 VDC input
As one bat depletes I can switch in the other via a two pole double throw switch

The cells were rather inexpensive from Abat, the meter off e-bay for next to nothing, the resister and switch from a Radio Shack that still has limited qty of these things



These are all the things I pack;
Note the very good RCATs glow driver .... nothing more disappointing then a day of flying planed and some glow drive problem...there are a few other redundant items... I find small hex ball drivers frequently suck so have a spare of each
Hard to see so a list:
Nagalene 500ML fuel jug
Sig Priming squirt bottle
Two 2 oz syringes, paper towels and cloth rag
4 props, chicken stick and finger guard
Handle and two sets of lines
Ear plugs
Thick/thin CA---accelerator
Surgical handle/blade
Prop drive/washer/nuts
Fuel line with two plugs and new section of line
line clips, lead weights
Glow plugs
wrenches, screw drivers, hex drives, pliers/side cutter, and the 4 way


The box has strong magnets strategically placed.
This is glow panel with left bat showing 2VDC charge


A few other views of the 12" long x 8.5" wide x 6" deep box

Nice fieldbox there. I really like the handle and how its mounted. Thanks for sharing.

That is one Nice ass box , I love the stickers/decals I take it you were a Phantom Warrior ? I need to make or purchase a 1/2A starter some time so I don't have to stay on the ground no longer than I have too , even though its not good for the engine getback

I tried making one last week, but never posted as it worked a few times but burnt out quickly. I used an old can motor but apparently 12v was a bit much for it, even in short bursts!

Well I had to Goggle that one old can motor ?? https://www.google.com/search?q=old+can+motor&biw=1280&bih=585&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjs-8qB9vbMAhXl6YMKHXwKADYQsAQIGw was that a typo // sounds like something I would do in burning up electric stuff lol getback

Store bought (what a wimp) Son's box on the left.  Mine on the right.  Both dusty from non-use.  Curing that soon.



I guess I have built six or seven boxes over the years all sold/gave away when I transferred.

Bob

BTW - Wouldn't want to leave the impression that My Son's a wimp, he's not. He's everything that I wish I could have been - good looking (takes after his mother), smart (ditto), a great husband and father, a systems engineer with Raytheon (27 years) ex blue ocean sailor who has seen the world and a great guy to boot.

NEW222 wrote:I tried making one last week, but never posted as it worked a few times but burnt out quickly. I used an old can motor but apparently 12v was a bit much for it, even in short bursts!

The one I used came out of a small "Coleman" portable 12V air-compressor.. so if you used a motor from an RC model.. you'd need to find one that's rated for at least 10 NiCd/NiMh cells (12V) which isn't uncommon. The stock motors are generally rated for between 7.2/9.6V. Tower Hobbies still has brushed motors.. but you need to look at the specs. Some don't have specs and some do.

Or.. try one of these.. $6.99 plus shipping.. (I would personally try one from reading the reviews)

http://www.amazon.com/Small-Johnson-12V-18V-Motor/dp/B00O3T30MY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464369746&sr=8-1&keywords=12v+rc+motor

I'll reiterate my recommendation of keeping a small can of light-oil with your gear for when using an electric starter on the spinner of a model airplane engine. First; squirt a few drops behind the prop drive-plate and flip the prop by hand a few times before engaging the starter. This will greatly reduce friction/heat.. especially if you're "heavy-handed".. or have a worn engine that needs more than a quick-burst to fire-off. I've seen people engage the starter "dry" and hold it there.. for WAY too long.. before an engine fires. A little oil goes a long way in the form of protection.

One of my three is same as Bob shows of his son's red one, but with the hobico power panel , also with controllable Glow amps

I have a lot of severe weather here so most all my electronics are fed by APC Un-interrupt-able Power Supplies...that initially come with sealed Lead Acid 12Vdc 7 Ahr batteries... as they deplete with age I replace them with 9Ahr same size but cheaper bats

Some of the old bats are still good and they get recycled into the field box.....much cheaper than Tower price for them

some are really dead and don't take a charge any longer and they get the lugs ground off and become dead weight used for building my balsa models

NEW222 wrote:And the box in question that I picked up last weekend.

Is this a Goldberg flight box?

I got one just like that in quite used shape from the local hobby shop, which now is closed, dangit.    It came with some hardware, and prop nuts that fit my Fox .35 Stunt.  After replacing the battery and repairing the power panel it is in good condition.  Makes it nice to take the docking panel to the flight circle and leave the rest at the pitting area.

F.J.

Sorry F.J. I do not know the manufacturer, as I bought it used. I had personally thought it was a Sig field box though.

Ok, so after a little searching, it would appear that the field box is a Great Planes Master Caddy!

Great Planes!  

Hey, thanks Mr. New.  Told y'all I was forgetful.  I think they also marketed a wing jig.  Along with a boat load of "great planes" and other stuff.  Think I saw some of their hardware on the shelf before the hobby shop closed down.  Amazing they stayed around this long.  

Hey, gang...  

Hey Gang.. "Chancey" (NEW222) started this particular thread last year around this time. Have any of you done any work on a field/flight-support box? I haven't.. but I want to get some gear in order. A little tote or simple wooden box is all that's needed for 1/2A flight-support.. and would even serve larger models well. You "could" grab last season's box.. and assume that it contains items that you might need remotely. Don't assume this. Re-pack/re-check your field-box.. and throw-out the trash.. like old brittle rubber-bands.. wood-scraps etc. Give it a wipe-down with all-purpose cleaner. Put some new stickers on it!

Must-have items/info... (help me with these..) for a control-line/IC-engine box.

AMA info.
Safety/sun glasses
A visor/cap
Adhesive-bandages..
Your wife's cell-phone# in the case of any dismemberment..
Your mobile-phone..
Tools... (think hard about this one..) but at the minimum; a hobby-knife, screw-driver insert-bit set, engine-wrenches..
Spare/fully-charged starting battery..
Spare/alternate propellers
Spare fuel-line
Spare line-connectors
Instant/fast glue/adhesive.. and a small sheet of med. sandpaper..
Light-oil
rags/towels
spray-cleaner
A launching-stooge.. in case your pit-man doesn't show-up..

Extra-items for the "ultimate" in preparation..

A "beach-umbrella"..
Folding-chair(s)..
A cooler with assorted beverages... and meat..
Ice...
Utensils.. (knives, forks, spoons, straws and stirrers)
A portable propane-grill.. (a spatula for flipping burgers.. and tongs for hot-dogs/sausages/chicken.. etc.)..
Spare propane-cylinders for above-mentioned grill...
BBQ sauce.. (with applicator-brush)
Rolls..
Condiments..
Toilet-paper
Ant-acid
Disposable-gloves..
Tent(s)... (size depends on how many flyers..)
Coffee pot..
Griddle/skillet..
Breakfast-food..
Lawyer on retainer...

Hey roddie. I like the post you just made, and it gives me another idea. But anyways. Back to the question at hand. I have done nothing much as of late, but about a month or so ago, I picked up this thing.... It included everything pictured here. 2 starters, fuel syringe, little 1/2 gallon container with fueling station, a second fueling station parts, electric fuel pump (required disassembly and a VERY good cleaning even disassembling the switch). I also cleaned the rear of the power panel, redid the wires all, drilled a couple of small holes and ran all wires internally to clean it up. The only two things not shown are a strap for both the battery and transmitter. Battery is housed directly below the power panel, and transmitter is on the front right of the main picture. It did not look like this at all before, it took a lot of good ol' fashion cleaning by mama! Thanks mom! After a while, it was finally identified as a Dynaflight (Craftair) Field Box. Anyways, for your enjoyment...

Wow. 1 year later and I now have 3 field boxes.... I had wanted just one originally for playing around in the garage running my engines. So I bought the first one. Then I saw how handy it was so I built a cheap little one for my 1/2a stuff to fly with at the cottage. OK. Build an airboat, ok 2, a .40 and a .049. Well, I need the big fieldbox with the airboat, so it goes with me and the boat. See #3 on our local for sale ads very cheap, so I call and go pick it up immediately. So now I have a 1/2a one for the lake, big one for the lake, and a big one for home too... When do you draw the line?

Awesome Chancey!!! You're well-equipped brother! I need to get something together. My old tote would do.. but I need to go through it. It's a cool little tote actually. Very compact for 1/2A C/L flight activity. I bought it almost 30 years ago.. and have never seen another one quite like it.



It's just a "tote".. not intended for our hobby.. but it has a handy drawer that latches.. and slides-out from the bottom. I used it exclusively when I flew at home many many years ago. It held enough gear to keep me flying my little models for hours.. without having to go and fetch things. I didn't have a power-panel yet. I used a couple of "D" batteries wired in parallel to light the glow-plugs. Cox Super-fuel or Racing-fuel was fed to my reed-valve engines. You can see my home-made electric-starter in there. I used to power it using a 12V battery-charger that was plugged-into an AC outlet on the side of the house! I had a pin-stooge with 25' of line for R.O.G. self-launches. (it's also still there in the tote..) It was so much fun! I want to relive those days.

Nice. Very simple, but most importantly very effective.

Just to brag a bit

Last week...no thanks to Canadian butt heads...we had a lull in the spring winds and cold fronts

I made a instant decision to fly...0630

at soccer field 0700

One airplane, lines, handle
One 500ML fuel jug and syringe
One starter glow driver

Flew three 4.5+/- min flights and went for Hot coffee, biscuits n gravy to the Country Kitchen by 0815

Brrr 53F zero wind flights.... glow fuel fingers aching!!!

Don't need no stinking field BOX!!!

My field box is out of order at this point, it is mostly still things I need to fly .049 control line, with maybe some things for earlier RC attempts thrown in, including somewhat successful rubber powered RC.




It is a paste board box that I painted with leftover paint when it started wearing out, and with clippings from the Lockheed glossy publication pasted on the outside.

There is a D cell igniter pack, an old rustable steel bladed US army knife, a vibrating tachometer, lots of nuts and bolts, a brushless motor, esc and CL timer that I never got working, etc.

That's the "stuff" David! Your stuff.. and it's what makes you a modeler.. whatever it is. I especially love these threads.. because they often give a little glimpse into where we came from in our modeling lives. Stickers.. gear.. nicks/scratches/gouges.. blood-stains.. all tell a story. We may not recall all the memories, but the field-box can be a source of many.. especially if it hasn't been used for a while.

I like it David. It looks to be a full field repair kit even including the dope! It looks like you can even build a model right at the field, which is a good thing. When others are going home to fix, you can do it right there. Thanks for sharing.