I haven't started a thread in a while. I am thinking of upgrading from a field box with a removeable starting box which I really like, but am having trouble carrying a couple hundred feet. I picked up a two tier Stanley box for cheap that has a handle and wheels, and am just throwing this out there in case someone has some great ideas. Saw some Youtube videos and lots were for cars, I can do that separately. I would like the power panel and a starter handy. I don't like 1.2V glow drivers. I have had so many toolboxes over 45 years that I want to do it right this time. Got some pics of only some previous efforts. Maybe this is a sickness. I have toolboxes for machine shop tools, and automotive large ones too. The first pic is the one I am using now and like. The second is the new toolbox on wheels.

Just some of the others.

...Show me yours or???

My question it do you really need a big starter box to take out to where you actually start you plane or do you just need something to carry your battery, starter, glow igniter/cable, and maybe a couple of tools? For major work, I have a three drawer plastic tool box that I tend to leave in the truck. I use a light weight table shown below, put my starter and battery on the bottom and start my model on top. This prevents the battery and starter from getting in the way. The other nice thing about the table is it only weighs in at 27lbs so it's not going to be an issue to carry it, especially when it's folded up

The first toolbox is just over 28 lbs. It isn't bad to walk 30 feet, but going up the stairs, and over to the car, swinging around railings and opening doors, and at some fields it is a couple hundred feet. I have pretty much taken most things out that are not needed. It mostly is the box, and maybe the small 5A. battery. I could just have a light dolly on the first toolbox. I only bring a quart of fuel and don't do major repairs at the field, just plugs and props mostly. The big plastic box is just over 10 lbs empty, I think once I am up the stairs, it will be ok. All the other ones in the pics were a bit short on room for plug wires and the starter. I have a smaller starter now. I hope it works on the bigger motors. .46 and .91 max. I don't need a table, as there are normally enough at the field. I am not really a weak old man, but maybe a bit sore all the time, and puffing a bit when it is hot. I can't be the only one with this problem, I see lots of guys limping around in worse shape than me.

I wish I were that lucky, table wise. Everyplace I go, I have to provide my own. I'll have to do some thinking and looking around to see what I can dig up as far as starter boxes go

When I got back into RC, I knew I needed a field box. I made one from scrap in the shop. Here is a picture as I laid out what to carry. This is an early picture. Now I added a cradle to hold the plane for set up. Not sure what it weighs now. Not too bad to carry. I have a plastic tool box for tools which I keep in my vehicle until needed. For the starter I used a regular starter battery. Then I made battery box for the starter. I don't have to carry the field box too far so that helps.

Here is a picture of my starter now. I'm using A123 batteries which give me lots of power. They hold a charge for a long time. I've been working with engines lately and have make a large number of starts. Batteries still had a good charge but I finally decided to recharge them.

I just picked up a starter with a LiPo 2200 battery which I will likely use now, if it is strong enough to turn over my motors. Your box looks similar to mine, but mine has the removable starter/power panel. I like that aspect, but the rest of the box just seems too heavy for what it is holding. Those other boxes I tried over the years were either too heavy, or I could not get the starter in, like for the plastic ones. The red and white wood one was fairly good, and is much like yours too. I have a few sets of 2C A123 batteries 6.6V. I like those, fairly safe and they work well in a brushed glider I have. (Amptique) I am still not a fan of LiPo after a fireworks display I had.

I would not have so much stuff in one box. A rolling cart is nice but you still have to get it in and out of the car/truck and that means lifting it. Plus you mentioned stairs.

I try to keep the toolbox in the garage for the flying season because of the stairs, but am taking it downstairs a lot anyway to charge the battery and use some of the tools that I don't have doubles of. (quadruples) I just tested the new roller toolbox and can pull it up the stairs on the wheels. Just puffing a bit with it empty @ 10 1/2 lb. I like ET's starter with the glow starter attached, but I still prefer the power panel to crank it up to almost the redline. The stuff stars so much better, and the needle tells you if the plug is broken. Sometimes it has broken on burning the prime. (crappy Fox plugs) I am pretty sure the big toolbox won't fit in my Sunfire, but will fit in the PT Cruiser and van.

I have a super heavy box on wheels, similar to the second one you show but bigger. You know it is big and heavy with a name like FATMAX. But it has wheels. Only trouble is hauling it up and down the basement stairway. You can cut an opening for a power panel at the bottom section. But you will need a crane to lift it up the stairs. It keeps me in shape.

FATMAX® 4-in-1 Mobile Work Station - 020800R | STANLEY Tools

My other toolbox is a Sig Gas Passer. It is small enough to put in my econo-car with small planes. But it is set up for big gassers also.

http://www.sigplanes.com/SIG-Gas-Pas...-Box_p_11.html.

Watch out using Lipo batteries on starters. I had one short out when I was trying to start a 90 2-stroke. I am now 100% Lipo-free because of that incident. It was a 3-cell 2200 mAh size.

Wow, it is 23 1/2 lb before filling it up. Roller drawers though. This one you have to detach the top piece to get at the bottom, and then there is the crappy tray on the top. I never liked those.

I had the smaller one like yours with the detachable top. I kind of miss it because it is so much lighter than the beastie I now lug around. It is mostly empty because if I fill it up it will never leave the basement!!!

The Sig Gas Passer on the other hand was a joy to build. I just have not been using it as much since I have not been doing short flying outings. I will probably do some this Fall to be ready for "spur of the moment" flying.

Well, I committed, or I should be. Took the power panel from the red and white toolbox in post #2. Took out the yellow pocket door in the bottom box and cut a hole in the front face and screwed the panel in. Should be good. I lose the pockets for screwdrivers, but will figure out something. I'll hold the battery with something, and maybe get the fuel jug in with some paper towels and control line handles and reels. I put the wood toolbox in the first post on top of the base, and it would have worked as is with only a mod. to get it to clamp on. Pretty top heavy though. Even the handle was good for moving it around.

You will have to show a picture of your final work. I am curious now.

This thread got me curious so I weighed my flight box as is today; 37 pounds. I carry everything I need to set up my plane and get it to flying condition. TX included. My second tool box, in the vehicle, is for things I may need. This is not too heavy for me to haul around. I have, in my head, plans for a lighter weight flight box. Just have no time to build it right now.

i don't favor having wires going to the plane for start up. I am totally wireless. I use NIMH battery for the glow igniter. It produces a very hot glow. It even starts my OS GGT 10 engine. The starter is super powerful for what I have. Only batteries I use is Life/A123. To check the glow plug I use a multimeter. Free from Harbor Freight.

I got three of the Harbor Freight volt meters. I gave one to the stepson. They have a nice screwdriver with 4 ends that flop around , and a flashlight sometimes. I have it all transferred over now, and dragged it up the stairs. Not too bad. It is kind of tight to get the starter inside and shut the lid. I had to grind away one of the strengthening ribs. It weighs 26.6 lbs. 2 lbs lighter. Happy about that. All the same tools except a few screwdrivers that were triples. I was looking all over for them before. I have a few props in now, I will have to fasten that inside, maybe two faced tape. Now I have to get some glow... nitro motor stickers on. Any good ideas to try?

Looking good. It may be too large for my needs. But, 26 pounds is a good weight. It sure beats 37 pounds. This may motivate me to build my lighter weight field box sooner rather than later. LOL.

Went to Wallyworld today. The new double decker that replaces mine doesn't look as useful or strong as mine. There was some nice plastic ones in a single layout. They seem light, no flat surfaces for power panels. I will try a glow igniter again, I have two, but think at least a needle would be in order to see if the plugs are shot. I might make up a y harness to join two A123 2S packs if I can figure it out for one of my starters. They seem like nice packs compared to LiPos. I got them after a LiPo fire and swore off LiPo. That was 9 years ago, and I swore back a bit.

Here is a video that may help. I made my battery packs 3S. So have 2 packs wired in series 19.8 volts of power. I can't recall if I made the Y harness or purchased it. I have the standard Life battery charger. It only charges a 3S pack at a time. But not a problem, it just takes a bit longer to charge. Basic old technology, just charge and use. I put a short balance plug on the battery packs. But I also made a longer balance extension to connect battery pack to the charger. Works good. I use the extension for the airplanes too as the battery pack is usually buried in the plane.

I just got a power box for an onroad 1/8th scale racer this week, and it has a bunch of Y harnesses for 12v or 2 NiCd battery sticks. I will have to really read that one over. I think i can figure it out now.

I am getting an idea. When I travel on commercial airlines I use a computer bag with wheels and an extendable handle. I am thinking... add an axle, two 5" diameter wheels, and an extendable handle. Make that four wheels so it can stand vertical but tilt and roll for transporting

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...4&d=1509410321

The one I am using on Post # 18 has wheels and a centre carrying handle and a longer handle for dragging it around on the driveway and grass. It is pretty good that way. I have used it a bit now, and am not happy with the two boxes. The panel is on the bottom and always inconvenient to remove the top. I will likely still use it, but for control line it is really not that good.

Well after I made the post I started looking around at tote boxes. I should have known there are 18,000,000,000 different designs being used. Interesting subject. Tote boxes are critical