.That's a really sharp looking box.
I just put the finishing touches on that TH box I received that was nothing but warped wood.
The 2 drawers came out perfect and they both slide in and out with no binding.
The Box has no feet so I have to make 4 and that will get the pump handle higher.
I have a 7 amp battery behind the power meter and i'm going to mount a switch and jack so I can charge the big battery direct rather then through the panel.
It is getting heavy though.
The uprights are stained and drying right now so it looks like i'll keep it.
I still think the SIG beats all the commercial boxes on the market.
Thanks for the post

In the above picture you can see the battery where the vent slots are.
The second PIC is of the end showing the power station.

I have the TH electric starter but would like to know how big of a cordless drill you use to start the engine and what size engine?
How do you connect the drill to the nose of the engine to crank it?

IMO, the best lil' field box was the Goldberg Handi-tote. 1 drawer, 1 battery, starter, fuel pump, you can put a gallon of fuel on there, but last time I checked, I wasn't using a whole gallon every weekend. Somebody said when you get older...yada yada...that was right on. I keep all my plugs in the drawer and some little hardware. Never seem to need it though... That's my $.02. Maybe you see something here you like and can do on your fieldbox??

Sense963,
Well I sure would like more info on that fuel pump.
No matter how hard I try (and I think I can speak for most) it's hard to keep a full size tote box under 12 pounds empty.
Mine is 13.5 then I have the 7 pound battery,1 gallon of fuel and the starter UGH!!!!!!.
There goes my bad shoulder.
But I fly from a large horse farm and I can drive my new 1987 <GRIN> Merc wagon and set the box on the tail gate.
So what make is that pump?

Sonic Tronics, I think. Pretty common make. About 1.5" x 1.5" x 3", is my guess. Little slider switch controls the in/out, and I ran the wires across the handle, covered the handle with some rubber hose, then wrapped elec. tape around it to keep it in place. (Shrug) May not be pretty, but no one seems to care. Its a one hand effort to carry it, versus my buddies box that I picked up last night. Pulled it out of the bed of his truck (tried anyway) with one hand...Nearly gave myself a hernia AND threw out my shoulder...I gave him grief about it, too...PS..the battery is wired to the starter cradle...those rubber covered brackets are 2 pieces with the black tubing run across. I just ran some heavy copper wire up to the nuts, so when I want to use my starter, I clamp it onto the bolts that hold the starter..

Why does everyone mount direct plugs to their battery? I charge through the starter ports, since they are a direct line to the battery.

If your talking about the ports on the power panel I think people are afraid that charging through the ports will damage the power panel.
If you look at the power leads they will go through the panel if the switch is on and may do some damage to the panel since your charge source is now going through the panel and to the battery.
I also have a seperate charge port

Well, I am the one who gave Sense a hernia. I built a copy of the Sig Field Boss. $50 for some cut out wood that you have to put together is crazy. I bought a sheet of 1/4" sanded ply for less than $10 and cut it out myself. It may not be exactly the same, but it is close enough to not make a difference. It is a bit on the heavy side with a full gallon of fuel. I think I will start taking quarts. I do have everything I need at the field. I like it when the guys with the little totes make fun of the size of my box, then come ask to borrow something 30 min later. I razz them back and say, "If you had a bigger field box you might have some CA with you."

Let me see if I can post here without being flamed .
WHEW!!!
I'm with you all the way.
When I see Finest imported ply,etc.
I don't have close access to a table saw or a band saw but I have to admit that buying a sheet of plywood is cheaper.
You have a real nice setup.
It's hard to keep the weight down but then when your out flying,you have everything you need.
What kind of fuel pump is that on the box?

Thanks!
I use the simple HLH703 pump from Hobby-Lobby. click here
It works great!

Now that I have been in the hobby for a year, I think I may build a smaller box with just the essentials to take to the flight line. I will keep the big one, but leave it in the truck unless necessary

I wonder if Goldberg still make the little handi-tote? I had one as my first box and really liked it. I went to a bigger box and got rid of it. Now I'm wanting to go from big back to little. LOL.

Oh, the little tins that Altoids mints come in make great storage boxes for plugs hardware etc. I like them better than cigar tube or aspirin bottle cause you can dig around in them easier.

Thanks for that link AnthonyH.
I see that they have a nice sealed electric pump.
A bit hi for filling 10 oz fuel tanks but much safer.
I didn't weigh my tote box yet but with the stain and 3 coats of epoxy it did gain some weight.
Now I added the power panel and the 7 amp battery.
I did remove some tools I don't think i'll need and I have tools in the Wagon.
as a back up.
GL.
Have a great week

Personally, I realize that my time is more valuable than the $30 I payed for the mini boss. I would rather spend it building a plane instead.

Time value?? this is a hobby...for me, building a flight box would be just as satisfying as building a wing.

I have tried everything under the sun for a flight box and tried to cram it with everything I might possibly need for a full day of flying and / or repairs. In 12 years I've had at least 8 flight boxes which started out with the standard off the shelf flight boxes (crammed) and went to home builts and different tackle boxes to others on wheels - why I even put a small sunshade on one. What I've found is your probably never gonna have the part you need and that repairs are easiest and best done in your shop. So what I do now is take 3 or 4 planes to the field and keep just the essentials on the flight box for starting and flying. BTW I'm back to the standard off the shelf type of flight box with a minimum of everything. My back feels better too!

Cubman, I also never take just one plane to the field. Usually 3. I decided that a small box with the essentials will be fine for me now. If something goes wrong with one, fly the others. I will still take the Field Boss with me until I get it sorted out what I actually need.

Phayd, if your time is more valuable than building a field box, why are you building planes? Last I checked a field box can be built in about an hour or two. You paid $30, so basically that was $15 an hour. If you build a plane from a kit you will be building for 40+ hours. The kit cost $80 and the ARF cost $200 for a $120 difference. It takes 10 hours to build the ARF so we are looking at a 30 hour difference. That comes out to $4 an hour. So how is building a field box not worth your time if it pays more than building a plane?
Like Sense said, this is a hobby and the time we put into it is satisfying in itself.

I am interested in building planes, not flight boxes. I guess that is what I consider satisfying.

I converted a large plastic tackle box you can get at WalMart. It has a large top opening bin, that is large enough to hold a 7 amp hour gel cell (fused), starter, transmitter, strap, etc. I put two pairs of radio shack banana plugs on the side to power the starter and fuel pump, and to charge the gel cell. On the top of the lid are two small plastic parts bins that can be removed, or swapped out. I put misc hardware, glow plugs, wrench, etc, and some small screwdrivers and allen wrenches in those. Ni-starter fits in a small hinged compartment on the lid itself (which is easily visible thru the clear lid, no excuse for forgetting it )

The lower 2/3 of the tackle box is comprised of a fold down lid, and 4 large storage bins. I put fuel tubing tie wraps, velcro tie wraps, props (up to 14 -15 inches), wrenches, screwdrivers, etc in those bins.

For fueling, I use a small plastic 1+ gallon rectangular Blitz gas can(walmart $1.97), with my fuel pump stuck to the side of it with 3M auto moulding tape to hold it in place. Fits flat in the back of my truck, without rolling around like a jug

Since I got my Futaba 9C last nite (WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO), I am putting that (along with my two field chargers, in an aluminum case I got from Home Depot for $19.99. I will use the large compartment in the tackle box to hold some of the tools that wont easily fit in the smaller bins.

A couple of advantages I see over the traditional wood boxes are;
1. It's plastic, so its less suceptable to warpage due to heat, humidity, and fuel soaking.
2. The bins are infinately configurable, so you can tailor your bins to fit the planes you take to the field.


Disadvantages:
1. Can be somewhat cumbersome, because you feel the need to fill up all that empty space .
2. Takes some time to do the electrical installation/modifications (but that really isnt a big deal).
3. Lack of an easy way to have an integral plane holder on it (easily taken care of by building a PVC cradle seperately).

Ill try to post some pics if I go home for lunch.

Steve

Here's a shot of the gas can I modified.

This works really well for me. It's still undergoing more modifications.

Last shot for now. Hope someone finds this useful.

Nope, I don't take one out to the field. I have a small box with some parts and tools but that stays in the truck. All I carry out with me is my pocket glow starter, cordless engine starter and a 32oz. fuel cell and radio, that's it.......... Less is more...............I am usually flying my .48 size profile and it does not require a large field box. B'sides, there is an advantage to flying at the Best R/C club on the Texas Gulf Coast. There is always someone with something you need if the problem arrises. We all share parts with one another. The next best thing to a family or a relationship with Jesus Christ you can have..................


VF-17
Fly fast & Fly high lest the ground cometh up and smite thee plane..............Ouch!

Is that an unsealed electric fuel pump I see mounted direct to a plastic fuel can?
NOT SAFE!!!

How does that plastic fishing box hold up to the nitro fuel?
Also if thats a PLANO box what was the cost and where did you pick it up?