Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
05-21-2008 | 03:16 PM
#1
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From: Gloucester, UNITED KINGDOM
Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
It seems manufacters are eager to advertise and sell you their own brand of tools etc for everything conceivable thing to do with the hobby. My question is what are the essentials you need to take to the field, along with items that have proven to be handy, with the exception of masking tape
05-21-2008 | 05:55 PM
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From: Redmond,
OR
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
This topic seems to have been coming up alot lately . I will just give you a straight out list form what I use and what people recommend.
The "must have" items
1. fuel (duh)
2. transmitter (double duh)
3. glow ignitor
4. fuel pump
5. (dare I say it...) YOUR PLANE.
The "recommended" items
1. towels
2. windex (or any other cleaner)
3. extra prop
4. extra glow plug
5. lots of rubber bands (for trainers/rubber band winged planes)
6. glow plug wrench
7. adjustable wrench (for prop)
8. assortment of alen wrenches
9. packing tape (for those "oops I put a hole in my wing
" situations)
10. CA glue and/or wood glue
11. your basic replacement parts (ie: wheel collars, skids, fuel line, ect.)
12. chicken stick and/or electric starter
What's in my field box?
1. extra glow plug
2. fuel
3. tansmitter
4. sevo replacement parts
5. rubber bands
6. windex
7. paper towels
8. after run oil
9. chicken stick
10. glow ignitor
11. trainer cord
12. glow plug wrench
13. assortment of allen wrenches
Thats all I can think of. There is all of the chargers/batteries/powerpanel stuff but im not going to get into any of that. Im sure there is ore to it but ill leave some for everyone else to add.
Hope this helped,
Tyler
. I will just give you a straight out list form what I use and what people recommend.The "must have" items
1. fuel (duh)
2. transmitter (double duh)
3. glow ignitor
4. fuel pump
5. (dare I say it...) YOUR PLANE.
The "recommended" items
1. towels
2. windex (or any other cleaner)
3. extra prop
4. extra glow plug
5. lots of rubber bands (for trainers/rubber band winged planes)
6. glow plug wrench
7. adjustable wrench (for prop)
8. assortment of alen wrenches
9. packing tape (for those "oops I put a hole in my wing
" situations)
10. CA glue and/or wood glue
11. your basic replacement parts (ie: wheel collars, skids, fuel line, ect.)
12. chicken stick and/or electric starter
What's in my field box?
1. extra glow plug
2. fuel
3. tansmitter
4. sevo replacement parts
5. rubber bands
6. windex
7. paper towels
8. after run oil
9. chicken stick
10. glow ignitor
11. trainer cord
12. glow plug wrench
13. assortment of allen wrenches
Thats all I can think of. There is all of the chargers/batteries/powerpanel stuff but im not going to get into any of that. Im sure there is ore to it but ill leave some for everyone else to add
.Hope this helped,
Tyler
05-21-2008 | 08:44 PM
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From: MCALISTERVILLE,
PA
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
ORIGINAL: 2slow2matter
i think that a battery tester (ESV) is a must. Otherwise, you are just rolling the dice on every flight....
i think that a battery tester (ESV) is a must. Otherwise, you are just rolling the dice on every flight....
Heres a nice cheap one like I bought and works just fine...
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXWW16&P=ML
05-21-2008 | 08:50 PM
#5
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
Don't forget screwdriversphillips and straight. I have a long straight blade in case I have to adjust the low idle screw.
05-21-2008 | 09:14 PM
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From: Riverton,
UT
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
ORIGINAL: Jester241
Yeah,something to test you batteries is a MUST. I used a standard old radioshack voltmeter for awhile before getting a meter made for this task. Regular radioshack type voltmeters dont test your battery under a "load" like the good meters do,so they arent totally accurate like a good meter. But for me it was better then nothing and can give you an idea of what your batteries are up to.
Heres a nice cheap one like I bought and works just fine...
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXWW16&P=ML
Yeah,something to test you batteries is a MUST. I used a standard old radioshack voltmeter for awhile before getting a meter made for this task. Regular radioshack type voltmeters dont test your battery under a "load" like the good meters do,so they arent totally accurate like a good meter. But for me it was better then nothing and can give you an idea of what your batteries are up to.
Heres a nice cheap one like I bought and works just fine...
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXWW16&P=ML
What leads do you use or are the unrecommended ones to get?
05-22-2008 | 05:42 AM
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From: Gloucester, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
ORIGINAL: rockerdude22
This topic seems to have been coming up alot lately. I will just give you a straight out list form what I use and what people recommend.
The "must have" items
1. fuel (duh)
2. transmitter (double duh)
3. glow ignitor
4. fuel pump
5. (dare I say it...) YOUR PLANE.
The "recommended" items
1. towels
2. windex (or any other cleaner)
3. extra prop
4. extra glow plug
5. lots of rubber bands (for trainers/rubber band winged planes)
6. glow plug wrench
7. adjustable wrench (for prop)
8. assortment of alen wrenches
9. packing tape (for those "oops I put a hole in my wing
" situations)
10. CA glue and/or wood glue
11. your basic replacement parts (ie: wheel collars, skids, fuel line, ect.)
12. chicken stick and/or electric starter
What's in my field box?
1. extra glow plug
2. fuel
3. tansmitter
4. sevo replacement parts
5. rubber bands
6. windex
7. paper towels
8. after run oil
9. chicken stick
10. glow ignitor
11. trainer cord
12. glow plug wrench
13. assortment of allen wrenches
Thats all I can think of. There is all of the chargers/batteries/powerpanel stuff but im not going to get into any of that. Im sure there is ore to it but ill leave some for everyone else to add.
Hope this helped,
Tyler
This topic seems to have been coming up alot lately
. I will just give you a straight out list form what I use and what people recommend.The "must have" items
1. fuel (duh)
2. transmitter (double duh)
3. glow ignitor
4. fuel pump
5. (dare I say it...) YOUR PLANE.
The "recommended" items
1. towels
2. windex (or any other cleaner)
3. extra prop
4. extra glow plug
5. lots of rubber bands (for trainers/rubber band winged planes)
6. glow plug wrench
7. adjustable wrench (for prop)
8. assortment of alen wrenches
9. packing tape (for those "oops I put a hole in my wing
" situations)
10. CA glue and/or wood glue
11. your basic replacement parts (ie: wheel collars, skids, fuel line, ect.)
12. chicken stick and/or electric starter
What's in my field box?
1. extra glow plug
2. fuel
3. tansmitter
4. sevo replacement parts
5. rubber bands
6. windex
7. paper towels
8. after run oil
9. chicken stick
10. glow ignitor
11. trainer cord
12. glow plug wrench
13. assortment of allen wrenches
Thats all I can think of. There is all of the chargers/batteries/powerpanel stuff but im not going to get into any of that. Im sure there is ore to it but ill leave some for everyone else to add
.Hope this helped,
Tyler
Thanks for the list, I just didn't want to end up buying things I'd never need or use. Not to mention going to the field only to discover I'm several miles away from home and in need of a new prop etc.
I'm now on the hunt for a good field box and control panel etc.
Cheers Ian
05-22-2008 | 09:46 AM
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From: Gloucester, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
ORIGINAL: 2slow2matter
i think that a battery tester (ESV) is a must. Otherwise, you are just rolling the dice on every flight....
i think that a battery tester (ESV) is a must. Otherwise, you are just rolling the dice on every flight....
Cheers Ian
05-22-2008 | 10:15 AM
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From: Carrollton, KY
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
[link=http://www.hooked-on-rc-airplanes.com/model-airplane-accessories.html]Here is a list[/link] with some explanation of the items if you are not familiar.
You have seriously been flying for 45 years Minnflyer?
You start when you were a baby or are you just REALLY old now!
But seriosly, you don't use a voltage tester? I never put a plane in the air without checking the tx and rx voltage. I also think I have a touch of obessive compulsiveness because sometimes I check it 3 or 4 times before each flight. Or maybe I am just paranoid.
You like living on the edge?
You have seriously been flying for 45 years Minnflyer?
You start when you were a baby or are you just REALLY old now!But seriosly, you don't use a voltage tester? I never put a plane in the air without checking the tx and rx voltage. I also think I have a touch of obessive compulsiveness because sometimes I check it 3 or 4 times before each flight. Or maybe I am just paranoid.
You like living on the edge?
05-22-2008 | 10:19 AM
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RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
ORIGINAL: wings
You have seriously been flying for 45 years Minnflyer? You start when you were a baby or are you just REALLY old now!
You have seriously been flying for 45 years Minnflyer?
You start when you were a baby or are you just REALLY old now!
And I'm pretty sure his baby formula was at least 10% nitro!!!! Ken
05-22-2008 | 10:43 AM
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From: Springtown,
TX
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
ORIGINAL: MinnFlyer
If a battery tester is a "MUST" then how have I gotten by the last 45 years without one?
If a battery tester is a "MUST" then how have I gotten by the last 45 years without one?
05-22-2008 | 12:49 PM
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From: Carrollton, KY
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
Just out of curiosity, how do you guys know your batteries are charged enough if you don't test the voltage of the battery?
How do you know if the battery has a problem or something?
I ask because we know Minnflyer LIVES this hobby, I am sure he is not being unsafe. Just wondering how he monitors the condition of the batteries without a voltmeter?
How do you know if the battery has a problem or something?
I ask because we know Minnflyer LIVES this hobby, I am sure he is not being unsafe. Just wondering how he monitors the condition of the batteries without a voltmeter?
05-22-2008 | 02:32 PM
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From: Mayking,
KY
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
I have a voltwatch that I check each plane with before the day begins, if I haven't charged them since the last outing. Just by quick calculation, I know about what (guesstimate) percentage of battery is used each flight for every plane. Based on the capacity of the battery, I can figure how many flights I can have before I should worry, then subtract one.
All of this seems inperfect, but I pretty much know that I can get 4-5 flights on every plane I have safely, but I fly no more than 4.
I usually can't go flying for much longer than about 3-4 flights anyways, including a lot of just sitting around enjoying being at the field. If I have more time, I take more than one plane making sure I don't fly either one excessively.
There's my crude mental Voltmeter for ya!
All of this seems inperfect, but I pretty much know that I can get 4-5 flights on every plane I have safely, but I fly no more than 4.
I usually can't go flying for much longer than about 3-4 flights anyways, including a lot of just sitting around enjoying being at the field. If I have more time, I take more than one plane making sure I don't fly either one excessively.
There's my crude mental Voltmeter for ya!
05-22-2008 | 03:01 PM
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From: Carrollton, KY
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
So you do check the voltage of your batteries at some point. Its not completely bind...
I am a worry wort. I worry about everything. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing that my voltage is good when I take off. That leaves space in my moind to worry about something else that could go wrong, lol.
I would be a nervous reck without checking the voltage. That's just my peronality though.
I am a worry wort. I worry about everything. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing that my voltage is good when I take off. That leaves space in my moind to worry about something else that could go wrong, lol.
I would be a nervous reck without checking the voltage. That's just my peronality though.
05-22-2008 | 03:15 PM
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From: Mayking,
KY
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
I don't check to get a "value", more or less just make sure they took charge the night before, if I charged them. Or to guesstimate how many flights I have left if I didn't charge after the previous trip. However most of the time, I charge overnight before and am pretty confident that the next day I am good to go, that is the way they were designed to work!
05-22-2008 | 07:58 PM
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From: Carrollton, KY
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
Working as a maintenance engineer in a steel mill, I can tell that I get exposed to situations on a daily basis where things don't work the way there were "designed" to work.
That's probably why I am paranoid. My entire job is planning for the unexpected. Guess I'm trained to think that way, lol.
But for real, you could have a bad cell in the battery, or anything crazy like that. I just like to cover my bases.
That's probably why I am paranoid. My entire job is planning for the unexpected. Guess I'm trained to think that way, lol.
But for real, you could have a bad cell in the battery, or anything crazy like that. I just like to cover my bases.
05-22-2008 | 11:03 PM
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From: Houston, TX
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
4 way wrench, philips screw driver, 2 straight screw drivers, one big, one small, a couple of ball drivers, needle nose. Your not going to repair your model at the field, you just might need to tighten something or adjust something.
Some guys carry tool boxes so large that they actually have wheels on them. (and they work on their planes constantly) Those guys have a different hobby than me.
Some guys carry tool boxes so large that they actually have wheels on them. (and they work on their planes constantly) Those guys have a different hobby than me.
05-23-2008 | 12:06 AM
#24
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RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
Instead of buying a field box make your own. I bought a rolling chest like thing from home depot that has a pull out handle so you can drag it along. It was $40. I just used an air grinder and cut out a hole for the power panel. It has a tray of compartments for storing tools and a big tub for storing miscellaneous crap.
but def have;
extra prop 3$
screw driver to adj your low speed needle just in case (eyeglass kit .99)
I bought a good set of interchangeable allen screwdiver set things $14
adj wrench $3
fuel tubing and pump $12
paper towels $10 for 6
windex $3
volt meter $20
plyers $2
screwdrivers $5 a pack
and its really nice to have a 12 volt charger. If you need to you can just hook her up to your car battery instead of using a panel or field battery
If you have a harbor freight around go there. You can get your tools for CHEAP.
I was made fun of for a while as i just used a beat up cardboard box with duct tape.
And if your landings arent pretty and extra wing set is nifty. but that can add up. So dont hit hard! and if you do just make sure its straight
but def have;
extra prop 3$
screw driver to adj your low speed needle just in case (eyeglass kit .99)
I bought a good set of interchangeable allen screwdiver set things $14
adj wrench $3
fuel tubing and pump $12
paper towels $10 for 6
windex $3
volt meter $20
plyers $2
screwdrivers $5 a pack
and its really nice to have a 12 volt charger. If you need to you can just hook her up to your car battery instead of using a panel or field battery
If you have a harbor freight around go there. You can get your tools for CHEAP.
I was made fun of for a while as i just used a beat up cardboard box with duct tape.
And if your landings arent pretty and extra wing set is nifty. but that can add up. So dont hit hard! and if you do just make sure its straight
05-24-2008 | 03:41 AM
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From: Gloucester, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: Essential tools and kit needed @ the field?
ORIGINAL: 2slow2matter
i think that a battery tester (ESV) is a must. Otherwise, you are just rolling the dice on every flight....
Doesn't some power panels have that function built in? as well as pumps and chargers!
Cheers Ian
ORIGINAL: wings
[link=http://www.hooked-on-rc-airplanes.com/model-airplane-accessories.html]Here is a list[/link] with some explanation of the items if you are not familiar.
You have seriously been flying for 45 years Minnflyer? You start when you were a baby or are you just REALLY old now!
But seriosly, you don't use a voltage tester? I never put a plane in the air without checking the tx and rx voltage. I also think I have a touch of obessive compulsiveness because sometimes I check it 3 or 4 times before each flight. Or maybe I am just paranoid.
You like living on the edge?
[link=http://www.hooked-on-rc-airplanes.com/model-airplane-accessories.html]Here is a list[/link] with some explanation of the items if you are not familiar.
You have seriously been flying for 45 years Minnflyer?
You start when you were a baby or are you just REALLY old now!But seriosly, you don't use a voltage tester? I never put a plane in the air without checking the tx and rx voltage. I also think I have a touch of obessive compulsiveness because sometimes I check it 3 or 4 times before each flight. Or maybe I am just paranoid.
You like living on the edge?
Back to the original question; but I noticed some power panels are now multi-functional, meaning they have built in chargers and battery testers, some even have built in pumps. Will this power panel do the job of testing all of the the batteries?
http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk...d.asp?id=15175
Cheers Ian
