After a good run with the pit box I started getting cut 2006 it
was time for a fresh look. The pit box served several design needs first of
which was starting the engine with the lid closed to keep out dirt and sand.
Next was a solid home for the necessities like tools fuel bottle syringes lines
etc. The box underwent a few revisions and then for a moment was the star of
the concourse contests with competitors adding wraps paint even lights and
speakers.
I did not want to change the
primary idea but with travel being a major part of flying these days I added
smaller and lighter to the design criteria. Allen DeVeuve came up with a much
smaller box that really looked sharp. I knew it was time to get to work.
With the original box 6mm
plywood Allen and I had discussed going to 3mm light ply for the smaller box to
save weight. Having access to a laser cutter it was a natural flow to design
the box in CAD and cut it out and see the final project. Around this time I
needed a new airplane bag and the shop asked if I needed any other custom bags
for F2D? Hmm wonder if they could make a custom bag for pitting? I could design
in all the right pockets and get the size right. All was doable so I sent the
specs to the shop. $120 Wow!, didn’t see that coming.
After a couple of web searches it looked like Wally World had a
cooler that was close to the right size. In person it was just right and for $7
even if it only lasted a few contests it was worth it. I adjusted the drawing a
little and decided to switch to 6mm corrugated plastic. Since the bag was going
to be “flexible” I wanted the liner to be mostly rigid but flex and bend
without breaking if it got smashed in transit or squashed in the back of a
packed rental car trunk. A little refitting due to the bag shape flexing but it
was coming together. The pockets are magic! Knowing that my small shim
container was in a pocket locked with a zipper and wasn’t going to fly out
during a match is really cool!
I can say that after switching to a soft bag it is tough to carry
a hard box. The pockets are very helpful and the smaller overall size travels
great! Looks like this will be the new direction I will continue with for the
near future.
