For a starting kit.... what would u guys recommend to me... electric pump or manual ? how long tubing do i need? do i need anything else after ?

thanks!

Electric pumps seem attractive, but I favor the manual ones more and more.

You have much more precise control over the fueling process, and are far less apt to go flinging fuel all over the place if a tube comes off.

okay... and they are less expensive too... but... do i need anything else after i buy the manual pump?

self powered ignitor, filter, fuel can fittings, tubing, quicky field box, starter & battery or chicken stick, hold down, neck strap, extra props, tools to change out props and glow plugs, Windex, a few rags.

A TACH is helpful though not essential.

i have a glow stick... a bought a electric starter... i have a fuel gallon now... for the battery do you recommend i buy one on tower hobby? Whats the hold down? I have extra props... i bought the 4 way wrench.. what is the windex for??? :P

Wow, lots of questions...

Windex is to remove the excess glow fuel from the plane ( and yourself! ). It "cuts" the stuff in the glow fuel just fine w/o damaging your plane.

The hold down, is to prevent the plane getting away from you when you start it.

Some fields have these already installed so you do not need your own.

-- Consider joining a club and getting training.

Instead of trying to type out long answers look here for some very complete guides to getting started.

[link=http://www.dc-rc.org/bobs%20guides.htm]CLICK ME FOR RC GUIDES[/link]

Buy one of these for your pump setup http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXL380&P=V

good things to add also in your flight kit is some thin ca and popsicle sticks and clear packing tape for quick field repairs. a small blade screwdriver to adjust low speed idle and maybe needle nose pliers and exacto knife. extra fuel tubing is nice to have

how do you use that curley fuel tubing because I bought one but is really tough to get it on my pump's fuel nipple?

Thanks, Dave Trimmer

I opted for electric because it was only a bout $2.00 difference and use the same battery that I use for the starter and glow driver. I think its a lot more convenient than having to hand crank. Just make sure that you have a filter on the incoming line to the pump. I have a 40 oz. tank in my field box which I then fill the plane from. [8D]

I just recently got back into this hobby, and in my initial excitement I ran to the LHS, and spent about $120 on one of those combo deals that is supposed to get you everything you need for the field. It was a flight box, battery, power panel, electric starter, corded glow charger, electric fuel pump, whatever the bits you put in the fuel can cap are called, and one of those red coiled hoses.

If I had it to do over again, I would have passed on this. Instead I would have purchased the following

Power Panel
Battery
Cordless Glow Charger
Hand Fuel Pump
Electric Starter
Nice Flexible fuel line
Chicken Stick (In case your battery dies)

I am choosing to list these items as they are either the only items I am using from the original kit, or things I went back and bought. The exception to this would be my electric fuel pump. I am still using it, but when (and I do mean when) it fails I will be replacing it with a hand pump.

If you notice I didn't list a field box above. Again if I was doing it over I would have bought a nice toolbox to mount everything in, and used that instead. Several people here have posted their setups, and they are much nicer than the cheap wooden box I am using now.

In addition to items about I would recommend a voltage meter, and a field charger even if you are flying glow. Although your TX battery might last all day your RX battery certainly will not. I can get 4-5 lazy circle style flights out of my battery before I too nervous to fly them again. Having a voltage meter will help you know when it isn't safe to fly anymore, and the field charger will get you back in the air fast. Although I can run the field charger off my flight box I don't do that. Thanks to a tip from one of my instructors I bought one of [link=http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102439&cp=&pg=2&sr=1&origkw=B anana+Plug&kw=banana+plug&parentPage=search]these[/link] from Radio Shack. This way I can charge my plane from my car instead of the quickly depleted battery in the flight box. I save the charge on that for my starter.

Actually looking back over this, I might even have passed on the battery and the power panel, instead putting that money toward a cordless starter.

Hopefully this will help people just getting into this put together a good list of the "essentials". At least my wife is happy though. For years she has complained that I am a horrible person to shop for. Now all she has to do is go to my Tower Hobbies Wish list for lots of both big and small presents. There is no more guessing if she is getting the exact thing that I wanted.

One last thing...I just noticed that nobody (myself included) answered one of your questions and that is how much tubing do you need. If you are using gallon jugs you will need about 12-14" to put inside the can (essentially enough to reach the bottom of the jug). You will then need enough to go from your jug to your pump. Using a hand pump you will probably need at least 18-24". You will then want the same amount to go from the pump to the plane. Although I am using an electric pump mounted to my box I bought about 4' of tubing, but I have a little left over (always nice to have).

I hope this helps. If anyone notices any mistakes please don't hesitate to correct me. I am still learning all of this myself, and am always looking for tips.

Thanks!

I use a battery jump box for you vehicle bought at auto zone or walmart,more amps,lasts longer and will safely jump start you vehicle also.

the curly tubing the secret is to get it warm and use a little lubrication to get it over the nipple. I used some spit. no dirty thoughts now