master switch to d/c the battery when not in use. when it's charging, I switch the fan on (very low milliamp draw) to exhaust it, and when I use it, the box is open so it gets ventilated .. nothing like having some tunes to fly to !

Lee,
When you finalize the plans, please keep me in mind. I would like info for both plans & the finished product.

Thanks,
Paula

WHY?????????????? IMHO, fuel and battery are the two 'heavies' in the box. Put them on opposite ends; balance the load.

.
Paula,
Ask Lee to send you some pictures.
I couldn't wait so I sent for the TH kit but as far as i'm concerned it's not worth more then the money needed to ship it.
Had fun building it and then gave it to a kid.
When you consider your time,cost of the glue,then the stain and the resin to fuel proof it your better off buying one,
Sig has a nice kit.
Try this URLhttp://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmart.exe/MainMenuFV2.html?E+Sig

The SIG Field Boss is too heavy out of the box. My father in law has one.

After seeing his, I opted for the SIG mini boss. It has less space, but about 1/2 the weight. It comes with a 1/2 gallon fuel tank, which has been plenty of fuel for me each time I'm at the field. The power panel side comes off so that you don't have to take the whole box to the flight line.

Also, I've found that the TX will sit under the handle pretty well.

.Thanks for the info.
Sounds like just what I want.
I have a meter and other electronic items that can go on that panel.
Price looks good also.
The TH box where the battery sits, the sides are thin balsa.
I made a pattern and cut new ones from 1/4 PLY and the box is much stronger but I gave it to a kid because I was not happy with it.
Again thanks for the input

Yes, the Sig Field Boss is a tad heavy, but it is not that bad. It is really for the modeler that likes to have all their crap with them at all times.

I like to be prepared and I wanted a nice flight box, so the Field Boss is just right for me - and doesn't look too bad IMHO.

Here is a picture of the front.

And the left side...

And the right side with my Cermark Power Panel.

.scottandpamela,
That box is a beauty.
I usually don't like to run down the vendors but if anyone is thinking of getting the tote box from TH forget it.
The one I received was missing parts.
The fitting of the drawers are so loose that even the instructions tell you to use scrap pieces to shim up the sides.
If thats not bad enough they use scrap balsa for the top drawer to ride on.
How long is that going to last.
I argued and they were going to send me a pre built box but then the Girl felt that a $35.00 innocence credit would be better
I made patterns of all the pieces and picked up a sheet of 1/4 "plywood and built my own and it's bomb proof.
The wood from the TH kit warped faster then I was able to put it together.
Good sigh of CRAP material.
Just my 2 cents and no offense to anyone who has a TH tote box

Ditto tattoo I have over the years had many field boxs of every discription many were heavy enough to need wheels. Now I am getting too old to lug all that stuff to the flight line so last designed what is hoped to be my last one It just holds the essentals and the rest stays in the truck.It holds the tx,stsrter[self contained],fuel, a hand pump, and a few pertinate tools, with a cradle on top for the wing just over the handle, so I can carry the wing,and box in one hand and fuse in other hand to the pits, one trip up and one trip back when I'm done. The rest stays in the truck if needed only a short distance from the flight line.

.Real nice work.
How about some numbers with the box loaded with all the goodies.
I'd say 20 pounds?
Also can you show a picture,(A NICE CLOSE UP) of that fuel cap and tell us where we/I can pick up that 45* type fuel tap that is on the cap of the jug.

Thanks rctrax!
I learned this from combat competition after years of lugging the latest and greatest monster boxes to the field. In combat I needed a "bare essencials" box to bring to the ready line...and I started liking it's simplicity...and i started using it more and more for sport flying...until I finally emptied my "big" box into a tool box that stays in the car...gave the flight box away...and went with the simple flightline box. Now that I've been doing it like this for the last 3 years...I'm amazed how little I need to enjoy flying, and rarely do I need to go to my car.

I would bet it is a little closer to 25 or 30 pounds. It depends on how full the fuel jug is. I know the dry weight is 13.25 pounds. I will weigh it when I get a chance.

The fuel tap is a DU-BRO Kwik-Fill fuel fitting. You can get if from Tower Hobbies at http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXRS88&P=7
It works great and has a nice seal.

.Thanks a milion for the info.
I been trying to configure my own.
Funny I was not able to locate that in the TH catalog but it may be in the larger one that has many of the DU-BRO items.
Many Thanks

.Well,
I'm not an expert when it comes to wood but I think any plywood will weigh more then some other wood the same thickness.
So you may be able to get the box down to 7-10 pounds.
You really don't need the 5 or 7 amp battery.
A dry lead acid 12 volt 1.2 amp will last all day for the intended use.
You don't need the super heavy mega torque starter when the lightest of them all will do the same job.
BTW,
That starter is nothing but an over sized 12 volt bike generator.
I looked up the specs and there is only a small amount of torque difference between the BIG starter and the more compact lighter one that is also rated heavy duty.
Even if you don't need all the items it's nice to have all the R/C items in one box.
Getting to the fuel how does the fuel do while sitting in the pump?
Do you pump any fuel in the pump back into the jug at the end of the day?
I still think the so called Pit Stop squeeze bottles are nice.
I really don't need it but after looking at your pictures I went for the SIG box.
Very nice and well built

1/4 inch thick pvc sheet makes a nice fuel proof field box. It is easy to cut and sand, and accepts paint very well. It's easy to glue together with standard PVC cement. Cheap too!

I believe that 13.25 pounds is without the battery, just the box. I will weigh it tonight.

I usually don't leave any fuel in the pump. When I drain my fuel tank it leaves the pump dry too.

I also leave the fuel jug connected in the flight box and don't recap it or anything. The Kwik-Fill has an o-ring seal and I have not had any problems with moisture in the fuel. But, I live in Idaho and we have pretty low humidity.

.
OK,
I give up,
Where do you get PVC in sheets?
I use it a lot for running cold water feeds to water towers and really like how fast the PVC glue sets up in just a few seconds

.
Below is a picture of a tote box that I built up from JUNK that Tower Hobby sent me.
All the wood was so warped that on several pieces I had to use bricks, 2, 7 amp batteries and my 35 pound vacuum pump to straighten them out.
One drawer was missing the bottom and all the dividers.
I was going to trash the wood but decides to make the power panel a permeant attachment to the main box.
You can see where I went heavy on the Elmer's glue.
I used clampd,tacks,small nails and wood screws to hold parts together until the glue dries.
About 20 hours of work plus the cost of the stain,brush,sand paper but I think the box will hold up to some heavy abuse
TH gave me credit but not the full price.
I decided if I made the power box separate then one day i'll lose it or forget it so I have one BIG TOTE box but still getting the SIG.

.
This shot is just a bit better and shows how the power panel and the main box are together as one unit.

Well, if my bathroom scale is accurate at all, the loaded weight of the Sig Field Boss with all my crap (fuel, starter, battery, power panel, etc.) and about 1/8 gallon of fuel is 31 pounds. With a full fuel jug, the total weight would probably be 38 lbs (since water is 8.5 lbs per gallon) - pretty heavy but not too bad - Good workout.

.WHEW!!!!!
Thats what I call a real weekender flight box.
You must have all the heavy duty items in there.
Well like ya said it will keep you in shape and you'll have everything at your finger tips
Hey BTW.
I searched the TH catalog both the small and the thick catalog.
I can't fin't that DU-BRO cap and fitting setup you have.
I guess i'll go with that red fuel container and the squeeze bulb.

I am not sure where it is in the catalog but you can just order it from them online. Just follow this link http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXRS88&P=7
You can also just do a search at www.towerhobbies.com for kwik-fill or the item number, lxrs88. It is $7.79.

.Thanks scottandpamela,
Thats what I needed was the item number.
The big catalog showed everything for fueling items but that cap.
I'lll call them later.
Thanks for the help.