As the Table Saw Turns

flyjsh wrote:I call foul!  A red neck would never use the word "caddy".

Yeah! He'd say, "Tote."

"Ahmoan tote this here fuel over to Uncle Wayne's."

I just call it a "Flight box"

But alas, I no longer use such a box. I use a small toolbox, a lipo powered starter (larger planes) a nicad glow driver, and a separate fuel jug with a manual pump zip tied on. I find it simpler that way, somehow. But I only have one jug of fuel.

For the longest time I had this rolling contraption that stood up next to the starting table, it held my fuel can, a pump, a 12v battery, and a powerpanel to power the pump, glow driver, and starter motor. But it was just too awkward for me.

Lets see here...

My first setup:
Fuel box with fuel can, 12v batt, starter, glow driver, and pump, along with plastic box full of parts such as props, and other small tools. Transmitter went in the back of car no case, and I only had two batteries for my electric yak so I put those in the plastic tool box.

Second setup:
Rolling fuel box with same setup as the stationary one, but easier to transport from the car to the flight stand. (My old one was really heavy) Unfortunately, it was harder to get it into the car - it was a rather tall thing. When I went in my flying buddys van however, which was most of the time back then since he was living with us, it was not a big deal. I also got a transmitter box when I got a better transmitter (upgrade from futaba 72mhz to spectrum dx7) and an ammo can to store my ever increasing number of batteries. I also changed from my plastic box o parts and tools to a wooden one that is a little smaller but has better height.

Now I have my separate fuel can, starter, box o tools and parts - notably glow plugs and a few bolts, a few props. Also have Radio box, ammo can, and when I bring the trailer it has a bunch of sorted plastic bins, including electronics, tools not in my wooden box, my extensive allen key collection, and then some miscellaneous items such as an extension cord, and a plane cradle for assembling larger aircraft at the field.

You could call it your portable "Meth-Lab"...   

Kim wrote:Yeah, there are times when I think I'm getting out of control with the support equipment, but I've also made a lot of saves over the years (sometime to my buds' benefits) that allowed us to get our planes into the air.

So on it goes...

My favorite was at the youthmasters IMAC event, in triple tree aerodrome. One of the 100cc yaks had taken damage to the wing when someone jumped in front of it when it came in deadstick and was going towards the pond. Well, they stripped covering off the damaged parts, rebuilt the damage with CA, balsa, and carbon fiber, recovered the damaged area, and flew it again a couple hours later.

Kim wrote:

roddie wrote:You could call it your portable "Meth-Lab"...   

No kidding!  I've thought about that more than once, driving through Illinois!  My assorted passions ALL seem to keep me constantly on the verge of incarceration!!!!

Dude we call that prison and a he!! of a lot of $$$$$$$$//// Your OLD enough now just go to the doctors and they will about give you anything you want with the right one    

Kim wrote:

Yeah, back in the day, CA changed everything for us!  Early on, we went through a lot of 5-minute epoxy, but it was temperature sensitive, and wouldn't cooperate in cold weather.  When we discovered super glue, it was a new day.  Most of the guys had jobs and families to care for, so our Sundays were often the only time available to get their crates flying, and we'd all jump in as a group to help.

When I was driving my first big van, I'd actually pack along monokote, an iron, and all the tools needed to patch planes up.   The local airport guys not only let us use the dead-end section of the ramp to fly, but also allowed us use of their pilot's planning room to repair some of the planes.

Really great days.

I'm still a fan of 5min epoxy for repairing stuff bigger than a little spot, such as a knocked off vertical stab. I dont like CA much because, unless you have kicker, it refuses to dry anywhere except your fingers unless you leave it a long time. The epoxy cures within 10 to 15 minutes (I wait longer than needed) and seems to make a good joint. I usually use the 30min variety while assembling one of my ARF planes, and leave it to cure overnight for a good strong joint.

Normally, when I fly, I bring nothing but the necessities for flying, some epoxy, some CA, and tape. Anything worse than than that can wait till I get back home.

If I'm pulling my trailer to an event, I practically pack everything. Soldering iron, monocote iron, all kinds of glue and tape, every tool I have for planes, spare parts if I have any, and really anything else I can think to bring.

I drive a 4 door sedan, so packing a lot of stuff really isnt economical for me. Thats why I have the trailer, for the larger trips. My local flying field is only 10 minutes away, so driving home to repair something isnt a big deal.

Wife and I wave a spacious 3100 SQ Ft ranch house sitting dead in the middle of a very square 2.386 acre micro ranch (our term for the compound/ property). Unfortunately this property is in the hot, humid or arid, middle of Central Texas and we are very found of each of the 135 trees. Correct! with that many 35' to 40' trees there is no 35' or larger expanse to play with control line airplanes,

That said, obviously I must travel some distance to fly (or what passes for self training) and as I have very meager skills and no mentor or close buddy to coach, launch, or help me.... taking a LOT of stuff to my flying site is essential.

Did I ever mention the modes of transport in the von Gortler stable: a Smart car, a Motorcycle, a Ford King Ranch F350, and a 1997 37.5' Winnebago. The monster 4x4 truck was ordered with 4:30 gears to haul a very large 5th wheel (long gone) and has a Triton V10 gas engine....can you understand my reluctance to go play with airplanes in a 11.7 MPG vehicle.

So realistically I have to load the planes ans support equipment in a 1800lb 5'Wx5'Tx8'L smart car designed for exactly two people

Purpose built "totes" "boxes" and "tool caddies" that are organized, carry only essential items, and small enough to load is part of my routine

Ok Ok FRED what the hell is your point....

I LIKE seeing what other people build to support their time at the field

Thanks

fredvon4 wrote:Wife and I wave a spacious 3100 SQ Ft ranch house sitting dead in the middle of a very square 2.386 acre micro ranch (our term for the compound/ property). Unfortunately this property is in the hot, humid or arid, middle of Central Texas and we are very found of each of the 135 trees. Correct! with that many 35' to 40' trees there is no 35' or larger expanse to play with control line airplanes,

That said, obviously I must travel some distance to fly (or what passes for self training) and as I have very meager skills and no mentor or close buddy to coach, launch, or help me.... taking a LOT of stuff to my flying site is essential.

Did I ever mention the modes of transport in the von Gortler stable: a Smart car, a Motorcycle, a Ford King Ranch F350, and a 1997 37.5' Winnebago. The monster 4x4 truck was ordered with 4:30 gears to haul a very large 5th wheel (long gone) and has a Triton V10 gas engine....can you understand my reluctance to go play with airplanes in a 11.7 MPG vehicle.

So realistically I have to load the planes ans support equipment in a 1800lb 5'Wx5'Tx8'L smart car designed for exactly two people

Purpose built "totes" "boxes" and "tool caddies" that are organized, carry only essential items, and small enough to load is part of my routine

Ok Ok FRED what the hell is your point....

I LIKE seeing what other people build to support their time at the field

Thanks  

What in the **** possessed you to buy a smartcar??? I can't even fit myself into one of those tiny things, let alone my planes!

Use the Winnebago! Shop on wheels, bring everything!

OK, more realistic, find (or build) a small covered trailer like an old teardrop camper or single covered snowmobile trailer that the smart car can pull. The unofficial 600# towing capacity is pretty significant.

Phil

OK now I have to hijack Kim's great thread for a sec and then we can get back to how we each make or buy "totes"

I did put a hitch to the back of the Smart car to which a 4x8 Harbor freight trailer follows just fine. Recovery from the accident this year stalled the box/cover/airplane support structure for the trailer. So pkrankow's suggestion is in the works.

Why a Smart car was asked. Back in 2008, the NEW administration concerns saw gasoline spike to over $4 per gallon.

All my children (3) made off with my good, dependable, decent MPG, work cars as they made their journey out into the world. This left Renie and me with the F-350 for commuting 32 miles a day for work. Monthly fuel bill was over $600.

Geo metros and such domestic low cost high MPG cars were scarce in 2008. She and I were working same place but starting to conflict with daily work schedules so two cars were getting imperative. I bought two Smart cars that were/are getting over 43MPG and they paid for them selves in 28 months.

Last year I gifted one to my daughter in Dallas and we kept one to put on a aluminum trailer behind the Winnebago. Now we are both retired and the F-350 only sees about 3500 miles a year while the Smart is plenty adequate to run into town, 7.5 miles, and get hair cut, shop, etc...

I am 6' and we both fit quite comfortably in the micro car. My only regret with the Smart was initially they were a novelty here in Central Texas (I was first in the area to own one) and I am not typically a chatty person with strangers.... The car usually drew a crowd outside a store or when I got fuel.

Too funny how many people watched me put the nozzle at the fuel pump to add 8 gallons of premium gasoline and would ask if it was an electric car..... Here is your sign!

Lets get back to As the saw table turns....please

I'd like to build "stackable" field-boxes (chests..) that clamp onto a 2-wheeler (hand-truck/dolly) This arrangement could be transported in most vehicles (depending on the size of the 2-wheeler.. mine has a telescoping handle with hitch-pins, and also has casters for converting to a flat-dolly) The "top" chest/box would be open on the top and maybe have a padded cradle. The lower box(s) would be "chests of drawers" for all that stuff that we'll surely need.. and usually don't bring.

I knew you'd like the MAFD (Mobile-Assault Flight Dolly) Idea Kim!! How about putting a deep-cycle Marine battery/box and power-inverter in the bottom, for using your fast charger, soldering and Mono-kote irons, frozen-drink blender, "George Foreman" grille.. and other "comfort" accessories. Two or three 12V receptacles.. maybe even some LED lamps.. for when early evening low-light sets in.   I'm crazy enough to design such a thing.

My wife wanted to throw out two small bureaus that we had in a storage unit (a little "beat-up".. belonged to her kids).. I told her I thought I could use them. I measured them.. and it turned out that they "both" fit under my workbench in the basement. The space under a workbench is never utilized well.. even with a shelf. Stuff falls off the back.. and things tend to get "stacked".. and are a pain to access. My "seven" bureau drawers are  full of stuff that I use on a regular basis.  



An old "low-boy" bureau can be a great solution.. Instead of throwing it away when the wife want's a new bedroom-set... or if you happen to see one "for free" at the curb-side.. give it a new useful life.. and screw some plywood plates to the bottom corners... and mount locking-casters under there. That could raise it up to "work-bench" height.. for your scroll-saw, bench grinder.. etc. Maybe mount a small vise on the end. You could even make it a designated building table. Having the casters let's you move it around or out of the way. Imagine what you could fill the drawers with! If you're creative.. you could build stackable compartment trays from cheap luan plywood and furring strips to fit inside the drawers for organizing TONS of stuff. You could probably fit three 2 inch deep trays in one drawer. We all have tons of "smalls" in this hobby.. This would be a perfect solution for easy access to these items. One average size bureau drawer has between 2-3 cubic feet of storage space!