Range box suggestions

Any suggestions for a good range box

 

this comes up a few times a year..

Depends..

Most will start with a tackle box or old tool box, then grow it to the size of a small armoire with everything under the sun packing into it. They'll then pare it down to something a little more manageable, or into a case for LPR, a case for MPR, and a case for HPR. Some people start off with a tool box full of tool, and soon realize the socket set really isn't needed. And will have a case of motors, then only fly 4 or 5 motors (of the 75 in the case). And all their chutes, and... Plan accordingly, prep the night before, and you only need bring a small box.

Remember, you can always borrow the odd tool. Bring the tools you need for your flights of the day.

I have a modest tote, with a Plano "fishing" type organizer with tools & bits in it. the Tote has chutes, wadding, larger tool, the cases I'll use that day (or pre-assembled motors) masking tape, etc.. Things I typically use in a day, for the flights I have planned. I have a much larger tote at home that has all my rocketry stuff. I pick & choose the bits I want for that particular day flying..

Other flyers at our field have a small-ish tool box & small ammo case for their motors.. A folding table & chair.. that's about it..

 

This is the box I plan on purchasing in the near future --->>> Husky Model # 230380 25 in. Cantilever Mobile Job Tool Box (Link)

 

Remember, you need to lift that in & out of your vehicle every launch.

 

Yeppers, that is true, but my day job is labor intensive. So, I am used to carrying heavy stuff.

 

I use this. The compartments are movable/removable - real handy.

 

I was able to grab one of these locally when they were on sale a couple years ago:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-22-in-Packout-Modular-Tool-Box-Storage-System-233663/303038736

As much as I love it, it still isn't big enough for longer 54mm reloads and cases, so I still have to drag around a large ammo box for that stuff.

 

I use the dewalt tough system, I have quite a few of them and only take the ones I need for that trip usually dont take more then 2-3 unless its a major event. They offer various sizes and designs.
https://www.dewalt.com/products/gear-and-equipment/tool-storage/tough-system

 

were I to guess from what I have seen, I would say that some folks use a 3/4 ton truck...the whole truck not just small boxes .
Rex

 

Back in the day I had the cardboard Estes range box as a kid

 

lols… I'll be using my wife's mini van... I'm new here

 

One of the other fliers in the club brings 13mm - 24 mm motors to launches in one of these.

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-storage/part-storage/abs-storage-organizer-95807.html


It works really well for this.

I, meanwhile, emptied the machine screws out of one of these and repurposed it for the same thing (because, "a fool and his money...")



edit: to emphasize that I am foolish with my tool purchases

 

Plano Angled Tackle Box System -- tools in the top, one generic insert, specialties in the others.

I have one with GMA 18's, another with patelldp 29's, the right side usually holds my backup ignition system, left side sometimes has my Peregrine CO2, etc.

Easy enough to swap them out to match whatever's afoot.

 

I have two tackle boxes. First I used a small one and then outgrew it with stuff I probably don't need but haven't any better place to keep. Then I got more motors (which are in the "where else should I keep them?" category) and added a few more tools for prep and minor repairs, so that box was too small. I got a bigger one, still not big, and split my stuff between them. The new one has flight items like motors and igniters, wadding, a pad and launch controller for park flying, Slip-joint pliers for those removng those tight friction fit motors, etc. The other has tools and materials for minor repairs; I have it labeled "rocket surgery."

I keep a first aid kit in my car all the time. If you don't then I would suggest including some basic items in your range box. Bandaids, burn cream, acetaminophen, whatever you think belongs.

Sunscreen.

Separate from the range box per sé but good to bring to the range: a small cooler with cold water (or other beverage of your choice.)

 

One of these? I still have it.



For range boxes, there's a plethora of configs that will work nicely. Find one that fits. This is the one I got on sale at HD and all compartments are removable. The 18mm motors fit very nicely and so do the 24mm E motors. Tuff as nails and going on its 5th year.

 

Yep had that same Estes range box and a polar pulse launch controller with the mini mean machine.. wish I still had it

 

When I was a kid I had this:



Since I got back into things a couple years ago I dropped about $40 on a multi-level tool box from Lowe's:


The snap top fits small ignitors and electronic devices.


The upper tray holds a variety of commonly-used tools.


The big lower part of the box holds all my motor casings and paperwork and such:

 

Get a bigger one then what you think you'll need. If you stay in this hobby long enough your range box will look like mine.

This is the back of my "range box" when I got back home from Balls.


sometimes this is not even big enough!

Tony

 

I should clarify, I have a separate all-steel red-with-stickers motor box.

 

When I was a kid, my first range box was a shoe box.

Nowadays I have a big plastic toolbox. If I need something that won't fit there, it gets a separate box.

This also depends on what you are doing - flying solo, flying with a club (I don't get much time for that, with elder care and such), flying for a demo at a school. Different configurations of range box for different purposes.

 

I use the Fat Max toolbox from Menards. Works great, big bottom, nice storage. Not too heavy.

FAT MAX