Getting ready for flying... I have a NexSTAR and a nice caddy with the fuel, fuel pump, starter, glo-starter, blah, blah, blah...

What I want to put together is a flight line tool kit. Included will be the tools necessary to make minor repairs, adjustments and other light maintenance at the field. I am looking for advice on what to carry in the box.

Since most of you are experts [>:] - I am looking for your guidance on what should be included in a "never leave home without it" tool kit. I have already purchased a nice Craftsman plastic tool box with several compartments including two microparts bins built into the top for those small parts....

(side "new guy" question - I have an Hobbico NexSTAR - are the hex nuts in the kit metric or standard?)

Don Presten
Lakeside, CA

Regardless of what type of screws the Nextar has, keep a set of standard and metric tools (Eventually, you'll need both).

Good stuff to have:

Metric and standard Allen Wrenches (Preferrably ball end)
Glow Plug Wrench
Needle nose pliers
Small cresent wrenches
8 or 10 inch Adjustable Cresent wrench
Long, slim Screwdrivers (Straight and Philips)

Extras, but important stuff: You are going to be looking up the full time that the plane is flying so find a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes and off your neck. The larger Aussie style hats are very popular at our field. It would also be a good idea to bring a cooler and at least 2 litres of something to drink. Field time will usually take a coulpe of hours and can make you pretty thirsty and there usually isn't drinks available. Food is optional. Last thing, flying is usually done in warm, sunny weather so bring sun screen.[8D

I agree with everything above.. Let me try to list what I have:

12 Minute Epoxy (for quick repairs)
Thin/Medium CA (for quick repairs)
Flat and Phillips Screw Drivers (small enough to adjust idle and big enough to put wing on)
Hobby Knife
Spare Glow Plugs
Wrench to Change Glow Plugs
Wrench to Change Prop
Allen Wrenches
Battery Meter
Couple Extra Clevises
Extra Props
Plyers and side cuts
Glow plug ignitor
Paper Towels
409 to clean the plane

hmm cant think of anything else right now.. Remember sunglasses and/or a hat.. BUGSPRAY, I cant say it enough, BUGSPRAY.. The one with Deet, espically now with the west nile stuff. There is nothing worse than just taking off and getting attacked by mosquitos. Pleanty of water or juice too.. Its really easy to loose track of time and be there all day in the heat.. You dont want to get dehidrated.

Thanks for the great advice - Tower Hobbies also thanks you for prompting me to spend about $300 in fun "tool kit" parts and accessories! Ya...maybe got a little carried away, but it was fun! Already had some of the recommended stuff...however, it is amazing how fast you can click "Buy it Now" on the Tower Hobbies website....grin!

Purchased:

Dremel 695 125-Piece General Purpose Accessory Set
Excel Airplane Set w/Knives
GloBee IntelliTach
Great Planes AccuThrow Deflection Meter
Great Planes Pro CA Glue 2 oz. Thin
Great Planes Pro CA+ Glue 2 oz. Medium
Hobbico After Run Engine Oil 2 oz.
Hobbico Digital Voltmeter MK III
Hobbico Exhaust Deflector .35-.90
Hobbico Precision Ball Hex Driver Set SAE w/Pouch (6)
Hobbico Precision Ball Hex Set Metric w/Pouch (6)
Hobbico Tx/Rx Charge Leads No 9VAP Futaba J
Hobbico VoltWatch 12V Field Power
Northeast Hobby Products Epoxy 12 Minute 8 oz.
Sullivan Heavy Duty Banana Clips
Tower Hobbies Tower Power 15% Fuel 4 Gallons

Don Presten
Lakeside, CA

Good choice, but just a word.. If buying everything at once is worth the money to you, then I totally agree with your purchase. But, my flight box, with pretty much everything in it, only cost about $100.

Also, dont forget to get a prop balancer, even the finger type (about $5.00) and put a little 200 grit sand paper in your box. There has been times where I've been to the field and have gotten terrible vibrations and found out it was the prop.. Sucks to have to go back home just to balance a prop.

I am not sure how Bobby, got away with spending just $100.00 for everything. Just my 12 volt battery, fuel pump, and power panel cost that much. Prices on some stuff have come down recently such as on the tach. Mine cost $70.00 a few years ago and now a new H9 tach is listed at $37.00! I wouldn't worry about a prop balancer. I have never needed one and only once seen a prop that was a problem on another plane. By the time the pilot got through trying to balance it, it was ruined. If the grass is growing good and high, then it will build up on one side and need to be scraped off. This is the only time that I have run into a vibration problem. Have fun, Fast! :