I'm back to the would you go on line to get a wheel? or just a prop? or just a gal of fuel?
you may have the money to get everything you need at one time but how many can still do that today?

Red- what makes you think I'm not
Every time anyone needs anything I have at the field I'm not using I will give it to them.
but I'm only at the field a few times a year to help out.
this idea is only a few days old but I have already started emails to the clubs I fly at to see if they think its ok to try this. maybe non will think its a good idea but I will offer.
A 3'x5' steel box with a few supplys at the field should not be a big deal just to see if it will help.

I give. and gone.
trout</p>

One dedicated to a cause can usually over come minor obstacles and rejection of ideas.

And you will be back . . . unless your emails to the clubs you fly at to see if they think its ok, really bombs. We hope you will share your findings.

Back in the 1980's, a friend owned a hobby shop. A 9 hole par 3 golf course in town went out of business. My friend looked at purchasing the place. He planned to use the pro shop for his store. And he planned to use the golf course as a flying site. (I understand this is the inverse of the original poster's idea. It just goes to show you that there are two ways to approach this.) The field can be owned by the hobby shop. Patrons of the hobby shop might pay a fee to fly at the hobby shop's field. I see this type of arrangement commonly used with RC cars and hobby shops. My friend didn't go through with the idea. The land was to expensive (being in a desireable neighborhood). However, this could be a win win situation for a club and a hobby shop to team up and colocate. But often nowadays the flying fields are located so far outside of town that the hobby shops would loose too much foot traffic if they colocated at the flying field. It might work if the town wasn't too large and wasn't growing by 200k people per year, (thats our problem).

Necessity is the mother of invention. RC field storage box mini hobby shops are not necessary. Anyone in this hobby long learns to bring spare props glow plugs etc. Engine repairs, servo gear replacemnts, plane rebuilds are seldom done at the field and the parts can be left at home for those tasks, or purchased from what ever source later on. Red and Horrace did a nice job of stating the issues with this idea. As an RC modeler for 25 years and a club president for 7 years this is the least feasible idea about RC fields I have ever heard. Club officiers have all they can do just to collect the dues and watch that everyone keeps their AMA membership current! Post 4 reveals the real motive here, someone hopes to sell storage containers to RC clubs. We will take one if not more than $40 delievered to the field!

Well, not entirely a bad idea IMO. At one time we had a modeler here that had a nice "stock" of parts in his trailer that he sold to us. Was very helpful at times... made flying days out of "problem days" many times. I don't think ctrout's intentions are to sell containers but just to explore the possibilities...

I was thinking about all the spare crap I have, slightly nicked props, lonewolf and worn wheels, used but still good glow plugs, ya know the stuff everyone has around but is not willing to throw away, but not worth enough to bother to sell.. Why not have a parts bin or shelves in the club's storage building for all that crap. I'd bet a bin like that would fill up fast. It costs nothing to operate, just dump what you'd be willing to give away anyway in the bin and take something out if/when you really need it.

Good idea! I have often thought a "bin" like that would be a good idea. It would come in handy when people leave stuff at the field also. It is a common thing to find someone left something at the field at the end of the day... getting their stuff back in time for their next outing is a real pain sometimes...

Every club is different and has different needs and wants. So it is with every area. Some clubs have hobby shops nearby and some don't have a hobby shop at all. How about if the club paid for whatever parts that is mostly needed on a emergency basis from the club treasury? It's been done with bulk fuel purchases for decades. Who stores the multiple gallons of fuel? Since the "emergency parts package" , props, nuts and bolts, etc, is paid for from the club treasury, no paid up club member has to pay for anything. You know, that sales tax thing.

It's interesting how some here say that their club doesn't need it, but are you speaking for everyone in your club? Did you bring up the subject at a meeting and the majority declined the idea? Seems that some tend to think in a their club only perspective. There are some 2500 AMA clubs and who's to say if such an idea of a readily available parts situation will or will not work for some of them?

fliers1

I posted in here knowing the hard cores would say as they say. Ihave supplied- Gaveaway "free" or sold boxes to may area long ago knowing they can use them.
As for my agenda, I custom build boxes for golfcourse, firework stands, christmas tree stands,flea markets, various raw materials distribution and of course uncle sam. So I know what you think. I just done care.


So the few that are concerned and willing to help the hobby can see this idea I will keep at it.
Trout

Trout, while I will not be a sponsor for any such item, there is the possibility that you may be on to something. So as I recall back in this thread, that Red said or alluded to for YOU to get it started. Show us doubters just how well your theory can work. Maybe then you can Franchise the Field Hobby Shops and make a bunch. Now that should provide for you to have a big laugh on us "Doubting Thomases". Right?
If you want to do it really up right, I know where you can get 40 acres to start, with 1200 feet adjoining a really nice RC Facility that owns 50 acres, has some 140 members and sponsors 5-7 large AMA Sanctioned Events each year. Those four 10-acre lots won't last much longer. [8D]

I'm very happy with the life I have now. The containers are a full time job as it is. I also restore old jags as a hobby and the project with the planes is more then I can do now.. If I even think about adding more to my plate it will stress the wife past that "point". and I just cant do that. my family is more to me then the money.This idea really is not new its just new to RC.I've loved the RC planes from a kid and its just 1 thing I like to do.I'm happy to have what I have. I will support what they decide. but I can do no more.Trout

Everybody who's ever had to leave the flying field because they were out of a $4 item has thought of this idea. The real killer is someone to run it. You'd have to invest a good $1000 in inventory just to have the basics of everything that people might need. So who keeps the key and manages the money? Are you going to let every club member have access? That would be a real effective way to get rid of $1000 of the club's money if that was the goal.

Everyone has a point here. I guess it's much easier to bum parts and fuel from your fellow modelers.

fliers1

I just had this brilliant idea! No cost to the club, little cost to the members, no one has to take responsibility for stocking replacement parts but the individual modeler for his own needs. Available at Home Depot $6.97 Workforce 16 in. Tool Box with TrayModel # 17182281 Internet # 202021296 Store SKU # 625768

" I'd bet a bin like that would fill up fast."

I'd bet it would too.

E-mail from club spare parts director:
"Uh, guys,
just went thru the new old spare parts bin, and counted
75 old glo-plugs;
160 clevises;
300 control horns;
1000 servo arms;
and 47 fuel tanks, some with fuel still in them.
Thanks everyone, but I think we're good here".

You forgot the 27 front halves of OS Mufflers.

And one trainer plane, front end slightly missing.