Posts: 2181
Joined: 1/4/2003 From: Bordentown,
NJ, USA Status: offline
[QUOTE]Originally posted by david a I stained my flight-box then put three coats of polyurethane clear gloss inside and out including the drawers. Don't overlook doing the bottom as well, to protect it from damp grass.
. [/QUOTE] Hi David, Thats just what I did . A total of three coats and inside the drawers I put it on thick. Also did the bottom and edges. I guess you can say the whole tote box is Encapsulated in polyurethane. I did have some minor runs with the first coat but I let it sit for three days and the polyurethane just got sucked into the wood. The third coat went on thick and took 6 days to dry rock hard. Looks nice for something I trashed then decided to give it a shot
Polyurethane will run if put on too thick, but you can usually sand it out. It does a good job of protecting the project and it looks good too.
I let mine dry about four hours between coats and I would sand the box between coats with 220 grit sandpaper. After the last coat I hit it lightly with 220 and followed with steel wool.
I can't say for certain how polyurethane holds up against glow fuel as I haven't checked it. Whenever I get a little fuel on the finish I generally clean it up right away rather than let it sit there. So far I haven't had a problem.
Posts: 6379
Joined: 6/18/2002 From: Missouri City, TX, USA Status: offline
Dave, polyurethane is fuel resistant. In fact you can use it on your firewall too. It is also resistant to many other chemicals including acetone. FWIW........
Posts: 2181
Joined: 1/4/2003 From: Bordentown,
NJ, USA Status: offline
[QUOTE]Originally posted by david a . [/QUOTE] Did you use the spray on polyurethane? I used the thicker polyurethane and the 1st coat took close to 24 hours to dry. Well anyway I have 3 coats on it and it's a nice looking tote box. The pre built box from TH doesn't even have the drawer dividers glued on the bottom and nothing INSIDE the box is coated for protection. Trying to use it as it comes will not last a season so I used elemers glue every place I could. Now it's ready for the inside coating
I used the minwax clear gloss polyurethane in the quart size can, which has to be brushed on. I covered the entire box inside and out. Bare wood and moisture will find each other eventually from which nothing good can come.
I built my box with some material I had left over from another project, so all I have in it is a little time. I had it built, stained and the first coat of urethane on it within two hours of starting. Once I decided on a design and had all the measurements worked out, the construction of it went fast. I decided to go with a design that was simple and functional rather than spectacular.
Posts: 9
Joined: 2/17/2003 From: Rome NY Status: offline
This flight box was designed when both my boys were flying so theres room for 3 transmiters and a 4th area for paper towels and accessories. The flight box has 3 drawers, the middle drawer is part of a removable section wich houses the power panel, battery, 1 gallon of fuel, fuel pump,starter, glo starter this removable section can be next to the plane for fueling, starting, ect. The black panel on the cover houses the props.The construction is 1/2 " oak plywood with brass hardware. It measures 12"wide x 25" long x 12.5" high.The areas where the transmitters go are covered with a rubber like 1/8" sheet so the tx will stay put. Here are some pics
Posts: 2181
Joined: 1/4/2003 From: Bordentown,
NJ, USA Status: offline
[QUOTE]Originally posted by ddeange1 I don't know why the picture is so small. I'll try again [/QUOTE] WOW!!! Thats a beauty. Big but sure nice workmenship. Like the brass touch to it also. [COLOR=crimson]CAN I HAVE IT?[/COLOR]
Posts: 214
Joined: 12/25/2001 From: Huntingdon,
PA, USA Status: offline
Can't resist not to post anymore. Here is my flight box. Have built a new one since then. Made from a $14.95 Rubbermaid step stool. I used surplus drawers and materials from work. The battery is hidden and bolted under the floor of the compartment with an aluminum bracket. Nice thing about it is I always have a place to park my @$$ when at the field.
Posts: 2181
Joined: 1/4/2003 From: Bordentown,
NJ, USA Status: offline
[QUOTE]Originally posted by caf2461 . [/QUOTE] Hey caf2461, Thats a cool looking tote box. Do you think you can load up 1 more picture showing the inside? Where did you pick up the box at? How does the plastic hold up to the fuel?
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