what do you put in your RC toolbox?

[spacephrawg]

You know, the tool box you bring with you when you take your boat to the lake.

I generally bring a Phillips screwdriver, a set of micro-screwdrivers and a small pliers, and extra batteries, but I feel like I'm under-packing. I've seen from time to time pics from club meets where people have extremely well stocked and heavy-looking toolboxes filled with every conceivable thing, but I never looked too closely at what those things were.

Can y'all advise?

Thanks awfully much and a happy new year to everyone!

[Rex R]

usually whatever it was that I wanted/needed the last time I was at the pond. I gather thats how most folks accumulate stuff in their dock boxes. I'd add whatever size allen wrenches your boats might need.
rex

[der kapitan]

Some beer---. :)

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Pretty much everything needed to put a ship back
on the water, in 30 minutes, after it has been sunk.

:rolleyes:

[der kapitan]

A spare ship also? ;)

[seaphoto]

Add to that list superglue, cheap Harbor Freight voltmeter, wiring supplies, electrical tape, a couple of film canisters filled with lead shot (for trimming out models).

I also bring a towel, spray bottle filled with fresh water and a couple of drops of biodegradable dish soap to get the scum off before transport.

Kurt

[patmat2350]

Given what's in the water at many ponds, some hand sanitizer...

[AndyKunz]

Excellent idea, Pat.

A can of compressed air, a bottle of isopropyl.

Andy

[spacephrawg]

Great ideas, all. In most cases my tool kit would have to travel either in a back pack or in my hand so I'm limited by weight and size.

I forgot btw that I always include a towel and the boat's stand.

What would i need the isopropyl for?

[ThrustTugKeith]

Lots of glue.... to re-attach my engine mounts when I snap them off after having fouled the Barge Tow Course..... with the tow line.....

NEVER back up........

[CG Bob]

I know this has been discussed before - here are some of the other threads.

What stuff on sailing day? (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=341698&highlight=boat+box)
Dock boxes (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=515268)
Boat boxes (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344458)

[HoaRC]

Toolbox:

tape
hand sanitizer


Other stuff:

extra battery
AA batteries
thermos and a sandwich
folding stool
lighter - it melts solder if a wire fell of
print outs of my email and the forum url if anyone stops by and requests one

[Ghost 2501]

leccy tape
screwdriver
utility knife
batteries
lifting straps

oh yes a thermos flask was an addition last year.

[AndyKunz]

What would i need the isopropyl for?

When your electronics get dunked, you wash them out right away in alcohol. This will help them dry more quickly at the field and gets out the water better than just air-drying.

Andy

[der kapitan]

Don't forget the beer---. :D

[Aerominded]

Mmmmmm, beeeeeer.

;)

[spacephrawg]

Lots of glue.... to re-attach my engine mounts when I snap them off after having fouled the Barge Tow Course..... with the tow line.....

NEVER back up........

Jeez. If I ever invest in a tug I'll remember that.

I suppose I should also include a bandaid box - I just installed some enhancements to the water cooling pickups that are kind of sharp to the touch. I'm reluctant to post pictures because they look like a child did it. The lake is frozen over so I dont know if they help yet 8>/

[spacephrawg]

When your electronics get dunked, you wash them out right away in alcohol. This will help them dry more quickly at the field and gets out the water better than just air-drying.

Andy

That's brilliant! I had no idea there was a solution for that.

[der kapitan]

Mmmmmm, beeeeeer.
;)
Hee hee---, works every time. :D

Aero, I knew if I mentioned beer often enough, you'd be making an appearance---. ;)

[Aerominded]

D'oh!!! I'm getting predictable!!! :o :p ;)

Beeeeeeeer :)

[Rich S. - CV, CA]

.

F I R E
E X T I N G U I S H E R

[mxz70017]

My Uncle Charlie an I were discussing you twos conversations today.On the way over to Staples. To copy A set of plans I had for a fellow modeler!!!He was telling me about your funny come backs..I really got a chuckle out of the beer !!!!!!! Well Hey Ive got one for yah my friend!!! May I call you my friend my friend?? What about the drinking In a public place's?? At some ponds..!!Also they frown heavily on having some kids around too!!Ask my Uncle Charlie about this. He knows a thingy or two about this subject....So with that being said!!!May I add one more thing to your list??? "THE BAIL MONEY" someones gonna have to come get your butt out the Hoosecow!!!Or how ever thats spelled correctly...

[Aerominded]

What about the drinking In a public place's??

That is why the store offers to put the beer in a discreet little brown paper bag for you... ;) :p :p :D ;)

(don't tell Charlie I said that! ;) )

[der kapitan]

That is why the store offers to put the beer in a discreet little brown paper bag for you... ;) :p :p :D ;)
(don't tell Charlie I said that! ;) )
Oh yeah---, I forgot---. :o

Include some brown paper lunch bags, helps keep it cool too---. ;)

[Prins Willem]

A picture being worth a thousand words here is four thousand (and change). I have a second box I take to events with all the NiCad and gel cells, plus the NiCad charger.

[tweety777]

Hello guys,

Can some alcohol drinks (which i don't use myself) also help getting the electronics dry quicker then air-dry, or is that only when using the alcohol stuff used for medical purposes?

Greetings Josse

[steamboatmodel]

When I first started model boating I had an interest in sail boats, but the conduct and language used by some of the competitors was a put off. This conduct usually started after they had had some "coffee" from there thermoses, one of them lamented when his thermos fell and smashed that he had put a whole "Mickey of Rum in there". So watch out how much you put in your "Brown Bag". But back to toolboxes,They don't fit in my toolbox, but the most important thing is a couple of buddies to run your boats with.
Regards,
Gerald.
PS They both bring such well stocked toolboxes that I only have to bring my specialty items to run my steamboat.

[Prins Willem]

I'm one of those go to guys with a well stocked box. When I was club president I would go to the park with a tool box, brief case, lawn chair, and sometimes even a boat. At events I would add a tote box with the clubs show stuff. Literature and docs, paper & pencils, reference materials, first aid kit, video tapes, etc.

We have never had the drinking issue with our club. The Cudahy Police, County Sheriff, and DNR take intoxicated boating seriously. Our newest members wife is an officer down at the CG station so we have to worry he'll unintentionally rat us out too (Note to WSBA members check your lights and safety gear).:D

[der kapitan]

Tweety, to dry out electronics, it is necessary to use denatured alcohol, which tends to absorb water, and speed the evaporation process. ;)

Alcoholic beverages have water in them, and would defeat the purpose---. :p

I'm wondering if WD-40, which is used to start wet engines would work---.

[Rex R]

wd-40 will work...messy though, I've seen folks use it on esc's.

[seaphoto]

One trick to dry out electronics is a bit counter-intuitive. Soak them in distilled water, and then give them a bit of a scrub. You are trying to remove the mineral traces that do the damage. If the device hasn't suffered from thermal shock, you can often bring it back to life. I did this with a cell phone two years ago that dropped out of my shirt pocket into a pond, and it still works fine. It's the impurities in the water that short out the circuits.
Kurt

[der kapitan]

Rex, it works by displacing water. ;)

Several years ago, there was a company called Taylor Industries, which offered a waterproofing liquid that you'd dip your ESC, servos or receiver into. It was sold by Ships 'n Things, but is no longer available. :p

I think it was similar to WD-40---. :)

[steamboatmodel]

If you do get electronics wet, and can't dry it right away it is best to disconnect the power and leave it in a container of water until you can properly dry it.
Regards,
Gerald

[Ghost 2501]

well speaking of dunked electrics,

I have WASHED a cell phone on a 40deg c wash cycle!

as for RC, Celestia got rammed and sunk in 2006, well that was recovered and its rx was placed in an laundry cabinet for 2 weeks to dry out. works fine now :)

[Aerominded]

...So watch out how much you put in your "Brown Bag".

We have never had the drinking issue with our club. The Cudahy Police, County Sheriff, and DNR take intoxicated boating seriously.


All kidding aside, there is no drinking pondside. Our model boat contests, etc. are conducted as "family friendly" events... As you point out, the public is watching and their perception of our hobby is important- Not to mention safety. ;)

[fvasileios]

Don't forget the beer---. :D


der kapitan,is whiskey or vodka accepted?they have two uses...dry out the electronics with their alcohol or dry out our throats in case of been thirsty... :D

[CaptLee]

I wonder if anyone of you guys have noticed that after you get a toolbox or toolbag with all of the items ready to use that you never seem to need them but that someone else at the Lake does. Seems like other use my toolbag more than I do. Got a handy bag at the Home Depot that has lots of compartments and is handy to carry. It rarely is used but has been known to save the day at Lakeside. Am going to add a small bottle of alcohol as that is all that I have seen that I don't have on hand.

[CG Bob]

WD-40 is fine, and readily available on a Sunday aftenoon at the corner gas station or convienence store. I prefer to use Corrosion Block (http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/CORROSION%20BLOCK.htm).

[ThrustTugKeith]

I borrowed a can of " PB Blaster " from work. Similar to wd 40, and you can spray it directly into ignitions, alternators, etc with no ill effect.
I know, as I used it on my 1:1 Chris as an experiment.

Scott