Andy Collins

All the training I've had does not advocate left handed saw use, and I cannot say that I would recommend it to someone who I do not know the level of their personal skills. If you are requiring LH use, then your work position must be wrong, we are not talking aerial saw use here, just a hedge. This may not help, or may be it will, but start the hedge the other end, so you're working right to left, rather than left to right? This way the saw is working with the pulling chain, rather than pushing, and you're dropping the brash to the side you need too?

Ok, the pictures may help. There is a world of difference between working on nice flat ground poking over a couple of token trees for your ticket, and doing the kind of work youre talking of. Have you considered maybe taking a refresher course to update your skills? Be very aware of where the top of the bar tip is when working in such a confined space, if the saw kicks back you will not have much room to get out if it's way if at all. I hope you have some basic saw protection such as chainsaw trousers, boots, gloves and a hard hat with visor, defenders etc. If possible, is there another member near you who may be able to give some pointers, or even a hand?

I think I'm missing something in the reading of this. I've done big hedgerows for quite some time, in all kinds of awkward situations, and have never experienced what you're talking of. I've never felt the urge to use a saw left handed either. Can you get a picture of perhaps how you're handling the saw, maybe on site so it gives a better idea? Something doesn't sound right with your work positioning, and saw handling.

Well if you're busy pruning trees, and can afford to turn it away, then do so, if not then take on the hedge. I've always done hedging as a part of my service and don't see the issue. If you turn this kind of work away, I feel you are turning away a huge amount of potential work. Cost wise, I charge the same as for tree work. Gear wise, buy the tools you need.

We came to the conclusion that the old boys who planted the avenues of oaks all those hundreds of years ago would use what they had to measure the spacings, a stride or pace is the most natural measure. But why 7? 10 or a dozen paces I could understand, but where would 7 come in?

Just another aside, and I'm sure many may agree, is that personally, I'd rather watch this kind of program anyday over X Factor and that kind of program. Then look at the entertainment value, the educational value, the discussion value of the program, it's got us talking! The old boy reminds me of a dozen old boys that I've known in tree work, an old hard hat, ear defenders not really being worn, token Chainsaw protection for the cameras, contrived? Certainly, but it's done in good taste. Take off the professional spectacles, put on your slippers, feet up in front of the fire and enjoy something warming in your glass while watching it, it ain't so bad.

Let's face it, the way they've been "managed" in such a neglected way in the past isn't such a good thing either. Almost anything has to be an improvement on that. either that of things will just stay the way they are, woods will decline further, and a great asset will eventually be lost. I feel in a way that this modern "trend" will be the new way, whether we like it or not. At least it will be managed, and maybe, just maybe, these wealthy types will turn to some of us for advice and assistance in the management of their wood, so we may well still have a part to play. And of course, this advice will come at a premium, won't it?

Working on some old estates, we measured out 7paces between each avenue tree. We did this several times and it came to the same spacing at each place.

You're too old for BBC3 Penfold

Hi Logstore, lovely ad, can you put it up on Arbtrader, should get more traffic there too, I'll leave this thread til 6pm today then delete. This isn't to cause inconvenience, but to help you and and the forum thank you.

The registration of Timbrel for sale finishes 1st November 2012. I understand retailers will have until 1st April 2013 to sell off the remaining stock. The end user will have until 1st April 2014 to use up supplies.

when did Jimmys Farm go bust? It's still going well, trading well and has grown and grown as a business. I know in the first year or so the business foundered, and had to have more money put into it. Of course, people like to see anyone failing at what they believe is "their" trade, I mean how can a townie come in just buy a farm and expect it to work? Well we need someone to do this, or we just won't have farms any more. In a rural situation, how many youngsters wish to follow in their fathers footsteps, become a farmer, become a woodsman and so on? Most kids want to be product designers, and similar jobs, not get dirty. So I think we need these "townies" to come and have a go, they want to escape the rat race, the stresses of business and commuting,and do something hands on. Let's face it, the wood in this series would just be left alone for another 50years without this chap and the tv documentary. If it encourages just one person to consider coming into this trade in some form or another, then it's done a good thing. IMO.

Yes I know, it's two miles in any direction for me to reach a village with any kind of services too. Our verges are cut once a year, in the winter a gritter occasionally gets lost and turns down our road, of course it's not actually spreading! But yu can't let the truth get in the way of petty beurocrats having their say.

https://www.csduk.com/CSD/Transportandstreets/Roadandpathwaymaintenance/Grass+cutting+and+verge+maintenance.htm I've just checked at least half a dozen district council with good old Google, and they all basically say the same thing about the council owned highways and responsibilities. Mendiplogs, just Google your local council and see what it says.

Sorry Eggs, you're wrong. Highways have served notice on several people I know for various infringements of the golden 1.5m. It's nothing to with Planning, but the Highways Dept. I do think that they use whatever rules they can to get their own way when it suits them. One person I know erected a fence within 1.5m of the highway, and they ordered him to remove it to a distance outside of the 1.5 as it was on the highway. I was there when the SCC highways official arrived, we used other similar examples to argue the case, but they stuck to their guns. Hedges must also be maintained 1.5m from the Highway, as I have carried out ordered works on behalf of the clients who have been ordered by Highways. I think because you had maintained the verge etc previously, you accepted some kind of responsibility for it, I guess that's their angle anyway.

Our Parish Council recently sent out a circular to all residents asking that they did not place these stones on the verge, the first metre belongs to the Highways Agency, so technically they are obstructing the highways. Photos and stuff should help your case, and hide the cider By the way, to date no one has moved the stones around here, and no prosecutions, says it all really.

Hmmm pointless. it's something I like, give a focal point in the garden, my garden, drawing the eye to something. Some like statues, some like an obelisk, I like a slice of timber stuck in the ground vertically. So there.

Duly modded cheers Rover:thumbup1:

It's finding a way of utilising the milled timber that can be an issue. This client has a friend who is a green wood carpenter, so they can make up what they like. As I said the original plan was to get 8ft gate posts, but it wasn't quite suitable. Next option was to cut the butt to 6foot and just mill that. Then I decided to mill the entire butt and see how it went. I'm glad I did. Another benefit of this is the peopke that these people mix with, and maybe, just maybe this extra string can generate more work, if not, well I've been paid for taking the tree out, paid for milling the timber, and gained some nice timber for myself. I wouldn't wish to mill full time, I'd get bored, but I'd like to do enough to be efficient at it, learn how to get the best from a piece of timber, ie what sizes and shapes are best to get, and how to value and Market the service, and the timber, to do it justice. I don't want to undermine, or even compete with the serious millers, but I'd like a healthier and more knowledgeable interest in it. So any tips, hints, books, whatever, post it here, I can learn and so can others.

I think we should all remember that we have always had courts martial for transgressions during times of conflict, as well as peace time. In Napoleonic times, you could be flogged or shot for looting, or stealing chickens. In WW1 for desertion, even if it was shell shock. We need a disciplined force, one that plays by the rules, and this needs enforcement in law, we do not need a rabble that becomes uncontrollable. We are meant to be a professional force, working as professionals, even in the heat of battle. I hope that these guys are found innocent (if they are) so our good name isn't sullied around the world, if they are not then the full weight of the law should fall upon them, as they are a disgrace to the country, the uniform and themselves. I think that asking highly trained military personnel who are trained in the arts of warfare to be village bobbies on the streets of Afghanistan and not expect a few problems is a little naive at best. But hey ho.

Thanks for all the info. I wanted to mill this up as it appeared to be in good order, and a shame to turn everything to firewood. Had the branch been a couple of feet higher it would have been gate posts (8ft). Taking the cutters back to 10degrees isn't that much effort tbh, well not with the saw grinder anyway. I too have had the Alaskan for maybe 5 or 6 years, I've used it maybe 4 times to date now, which is why I haven't bothered with specific ripping chain tbh, but saying that as I enjoyed doing this one so much I think I'll be looking to do more in time. This was really a trialling day for me as far as milling goes, have saw, have mill might as well try it again attitude. And it's kind of satisfying to see something no one has seen before as each plank lifts away. DLB, I sliced a couple of decent burrs off which I took to a local turner, the burrings grain is very nice to look at. I was expecting the Robinia to be far harder to mill, but the saw just slid along at a steady pace on each slab. Time-wise it took me around two and a half hours actual cutting time, but I kept stopping and chatting to passers-by who were interested in what I was doing, so I was there about 4 hours instead. more to life than slogging on relentlessly some days.

IMHO, I don't think the age thing is the recipe for successful parenting, but the make up of each couple. as I said, I married young, had kids young, did the right thing and still do 25 years on, others won't. With age can come certain advantages, obviously more money behind you, maybe more content with your lot, done the flirting and messing about and got it out of your system before settling down. But there are exceptions to all, irresponsible types in all age groups which will be cited as society gone bad. I'm now a (young) grandad, hopefully I'll be able to enjoy grandchildren until they too reach maturity, something older parents will not be able to do, except from a retirement home.

Todays little job, milling a Robinia we felled a couple of weeks ago. I've milled it to 2inch thick planks. I ground the cutters back to 10degrees, considered removing every other cutter, but not sure if it would have gained much though. The 090 is perfect for this kind of work, loads of grunt to keep on pulling through the timber. Im plkeased with the outcome, in particular Im pleased that Im physically able to do this kind of work once more. The top cut I've made into a monolith for the garden, the client had the majority of the timber for garden furniture, i had one 10ft x 2ft plank for a (eventually) mans garden table, suitable for men drinking from tankards and slamming them down waiting for the serving wench to serve more ales.

As a younger parent in my time, I had and have no regrets. We had the youthful energy to put into our family. My wife's role was that of a homemaker/housewife or whatever you call it, my role was chief breadwinner and general dogsbody. Yes money could be tight, but I had time for my kids, we had time for our kids. When they fell ill at school, their mother was there to answer the phone and bring them home, and care for them. This modern parenting is all well and good, but the parents cannot afford the time off from important business meetings to care for their own child, and I know several where this applies. Latchkey society is no good for the wellbeing and upbringing of the child, nor does spending five minutes just before bedtime reading because that's all you can spare. If you want kids, at any age, you have make sacrifices, the wealth, the nights out, the nice cars and fancy holidays, after all there is actually a lot more wealth in spending time with your kids. I work for some really wealthy people, who shower their kids with everything, yet might see them for a couple of hours on a Sunday, I'd rather not have kids if that was my life.

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