Advice for absolute beginner

[richyB]

Hello everyone.

I am new to all of this, I took early retirement in March and now I have too much time on my hands. I need something to fill in the hours. Having seen the chainsaw carving forum I really would like to give it a try. I live near Wolverhampton and I think Rodbaston college at Penkridge provide training for chainsaws, I would like to know which modules I would need. I have no plans to do any pro arb work, climbing etc. But I did think if someone near by needed a helping hand it would be good experience for me, plus I may be helping with some hedge laying later in the year and I could be using a chainsaw on another persons property. So please can you tell me what the best training/ qualification route is to be safe and legal.

Many thanks

Rich

Brilliant forum by the way, I have already found out such a lot.

[Jamie]

Hi and welcome

 

Your basic chainsaw and maintenance units under the NPTC scheme are CS 30 / 31

 

They should be a good start, The NPTC units are industry standard, they're not cheap but would 'allow' you to progress into pro work.

 

I'm not sure what training providers are based around your area though.

 

Jamie

[alex_m]

here are the assesment schedules for the cs30 (Maintaining and operating chainsaw)

and cs31 (Felling small trees)

they will give you an idea of what your expected to do/know to pass....

 

http://www.nptc.org.uk/download.asp?file=New%20Schedules/cs30_maintain_and_operate_the_chain_saw_as_oct06.pdf

 

http://www.nptc.org.uk/download.asp?file=New%20Schedules/cs31_fell_small_trees_as_oct06.pdf

[Ian C]

Hi and welcome to "the family" as jamie said but you only need NPTC cs30, this is chainsaw maintanance and cross cutting, all you need for a bit of ground work, hedge laying, fencing etc. cs31 is felling small trees.

[Charlieh]

you may want to have a look around locally for other training providers as whilst Rodbaston is good its not cheap! although for July they were offering free chainsaw training and you just paid for the NPTC assesment, so its worth giving them a shout (Kathy Chapman is the person to speak to), also try BASE on the edge of the chase and Countryside Training and Tree Manangement

 

I have done training with both of the last two and they both offer very professional and enjoyable service,

[hazzygawa]

i think you will need cs 40/41 and a loler inspector course and MEWP and p'haps sandwich/tea making course.

[richyB]

Thank you all for the advice, I will give those places a call on Monday and find out what is available.

Good job you told me about the tea making, I had completely forgotten the most important bit.

I will keep you upddated on how I get on.

Thanks again

Rich

[bob]

i think you will need cs 40/41 and a loler inspector course and MEWP and p'haps sandwich/tea making course.

 

there is a time and a place for sarcasm

how would you feel if you asked for some advice and we all gave the same quality of advice that you have to a absolute beginer:thumbdown:

[richyB]

Ooh err. No offence taken chaps. Actually it made me laugh. Shall we just let the dust settle, in the knowledge we are all older and wiser.

Well except me obviously, as I have not done any training yet.

[Mark Bolam]

What a refreshing change!

 

An average bloke who just wants to learn to use a potentially lethal implement safely and effectively.

 

Well done mate.