nod

Many thanks to Matt for making the time to edit the hours of footage that we shot whilst on this trip to the Gambia, I think that it a little bit of a feeling of that trip. In some way it was life changing in that, not having visited Africa before I had some preconception of what was awaiting. What was there was so much more than anticipated. The most welcoming people that you could ever hope to meet for starters, an incredibly benevolent host & the beauty of the surroundings. Does that sound interesting? Well, it is our aim to organise another trip in May 2013 to make a return visit to some of the villages as well as exploring further into the bush & other villages. We'd like to offer this opportunity to a group of tree climbers with an open mind to adventuring in west Africa. Not quite a botanical survey, not quite a package holiday; more like a search for a few gems that are unnoticed yet at the same time not hidden! Sound interesting? Please PM either Gibbon or myself to express your initial interest & we'll see if we can't make May 2013 a month never to forget! Many thanks Nod

Hey Swinney I have the first pair of Airstreams that came into the UK four & a half years ago. On friday I was stood ankle deep in a stream as well as cutting for a good 5 hours in them. My feet were the only part of me that was still dry. I think this is testament to an awesome pair of boots. Get your supplier to return them to Meindl, they are very not the quickest but they'll sort it out. G'luck Nod PS It's kind of funny how many people I see wearing these boots considering the disco gay bashing they took when I first started importing them. I guess that quality stands the test of time better than any marketing gimmick?!

Hey Richard Do you have any idea what type of bench? I have contact with many different carvers from chainsaw through to fine script. Does the bench need to be made or is it just carving? Regards Nod

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/treeworker/42794-celebration-trees-20-21-april-news.html#post661969

SHOW DISCOUNT FOR ALL Capel Manor - Celebration of Trees 20-21st April 2012 Due to circumstances beyond our control and at a late point in the game we have had to pull out from being at Capel Manor Celebration of Trees show this year. This was not an easy decision to make as over the years this event has been one of our favourites for meeting fellow climbers and sharing valuable knowledge and information. It has often been the 'release' show for new innovations in climbing equipment and we'd like to extend our thanks to all the staff at Capel Manor and also to all our customers who visit us and hang out with the Treeworker posse. Due to the fact that we can't be with you Treeworker would like to offer everyone a 'show discount' of 5% applied to ALL SALES made over the next four days - from Friday 20th April to Monday 23rd April inclusive - enjoy! I am hoping that time will allow me to visit Capel briefly on saturday morning & catch up with a few of the many friendly faces that are usually there. It may therefore be possible for me to deliver orders. Best wishes Nod

Hey All I'm planning to run another splice workshop in the near future, anyone interested please PM me or mail at [email protected] or call 07971 830331. I would normally book approx 4-5weeks ahead so we'd be looking at mid to late March. Anyone interested in a double braid workshop please contact me also as I have only run this workshop once in the past & it's time again. Many thanks Nod @ Treeworker

Hello Folks Just thought I'd give a heads up that we were burgled last weekend & once again lost all our saws, hedgetrimmers, blower, welder, compressor etc, etc. What they also took were approximately 150 bracing belts which are all marked with the Treeworker logo & are unique to us. Could I ask if these are seen or heard of for sale that you contact me directly. This is our second robbery in 12 months & there have been two unsuccessful attempts also. Time to move! Many thanks in anticipation Nod

During the past weeks concern has raged in Stockholm due to the decision by authorities to fell an ancient oak that stands on a central reserve of a city street. The decision seems to have been based on a series of poorly planned & poorly executed surveys of the tree, but maybe there are a series of politically motivated reasons that lay undisclosed? Many individuals have given their time & expertise freely to try & aid the authorities in seeing that this type of decision can be made wholly on the accurate capture & presentation of data. This can then be put through scientifically based processes to form an educated conclusion & therefore a decision on management options. It would do well for any & all people involved with any decision making process to look as much as possible into this case, if only to learn how such events should not be allowed to unfold in the future. A disgraceful sequence of events! Protesters against the decision have made an almost 24 hour vigil for the past month & this morning, After their removal the tree was felled under the protection of Stockholms city police. Eken sågas ner - ABC | SVT Play This link may not be available for long but it shows the events that unfolded this morning. What more can be said or done? Nod

The workshop is about 6 miles from Buckingham. We will be covering the 16 strand splice each trainee will have at least two completed by the days end. The cost is £120 & will last from 09:00 to 17:00. Call me on 07971 830331 if your interested. Thanks Nod

Brought over from the thread 19mm Portland braid as it's thought provoking. Hey Nick I have been reluctant to reply because the thread appears to become an argument, which serves no purpose for anyone, particularly those trying to make head & tail of the subject. For all of the information that is out there, which you have cited a few examples, there is still a lack of cohesive clarity that bonds recommendations together. The 2008 HSE/Forestry Commission’s. “Evaluation of current rigging and dismantling practices used in Arboriculture” is the single document that has looked into the plethera of work that exists & still cannot come up with a definitive answer. Only that more research is required. I think that if we believe that the word is 'cast in stone' it stops people from looking into the subject matter to the degree that is possible. We know that in misunderstood hands rigging can easily produce fatal errors in judgement. The more in depth we understand the subject the more likelhood there is that good decisions can be made. I looked at the Yale website & they suggest 5:1 safety factors in rigging scenarios!!! Until we can firmly underline the subject who should/can we actually believe when there exist such vast differences in opinion? If, of course, we are turning to others for this knowledge! For my part, the book is open & the pages are blank awaiting definitive answers. For my years of climbing there have been so many times when definitive answers have been proven otherwise that I now understand that there is always flux, the pages are not written with indelible ink any more. But this is how we learn, not by casting in stone! We like to think that we know stuff, it makes us feel good, it makes us seem important. But that which is greater is to not know! Regards Nod

Hey Nick I have been reluctant to reply because the thread appears to become an argument, which serves no purpose for anyone, particularly those trying to make head & tail of the subject. For all of the information that is out there, which you have cited a few examples, there is still a lack of cohesive clarity that bonds recommendations together. The 2008 HSE/Forestry Commission’s. “Evaluation of current rigging and dismantling practices used in Arboriculture” is the single document that has looked into the plethera of work that exists & still cannot come up with a definitive answer. Only that more research is required. I think that if we believe that the word is 'cast in stone' it stops people from looking into the subject matter to the degree that is possible. We know that in misunderstood hands rigging can easily produce fatal errors in judgement. The more in depth we understand the subject the more likelhood there is that good decisions can be made. I looked at the Yale website & they suggest 5:1 safety factors in rigging scenarios!!! Until we can firmly underline the subject who should/can we actually believe when there exist such vast differences in opinion? If, of course, we are turning to others for this knowledge! For my part, the book is open & the pages are blank awaiting definitive answers. For my years of climbing there have been so many times when definitive answers have been proven otherwise that I now understand that there is always flux, the pages are not written with indelible ink any more. But this is how we learn, not by casting in stone! We like to think that we know stuff, it makes us feel good, it makes us seem important. But that which is greater is to not know! Regards Nod

Hey Rowan We have just had a Loglogic mill in for 3 days of milling & it's a great machine. Relatively quick & efficient. Our manpower & hire costs including telehandler & large compressor for 3 days were approx £1800. The mill has planked in excess of £3000 worth of boarding. Not a bad deal I reckon. Save your timber & Get one in! Cheers Nod

Hey Folks We have a splicing workshop booked for Friday 4th November in Buckinghamshire which is under subscribed to the point of having to cancel. I'm hoping that this won't be necessary, so if you have any desire to learning to splice rope please give me a call asap. 07971 830331. Many thanks Nod

Hey Nick Two points in question: Can you direct me towards the current UK safety guidance as I'm unclear as to what it is or where it comes from? I don't currently have a specific that I 'work my rigging on' as each scenario deserves to be taken on its own merits. If I feel it's appropriate to run a 2:1 SF & bin the rope after use that's what I'll do, sometimes it may be necessary after all nothing lasts for ever. Until the jury returns any recommendation can only be based on what I think I might know at any point in time. Nod

Hey Nick Sorry for the delay in posting, I was away for a week & forgot I'd asked a question of you! I've been trying to get to the bottom of why a 10:1 safety factor is used on rigging ropes. There have been various discussions here about rigging kit compatibility which seems odd when there appears to be little availability of manufacturers data regarding this simple question. Safety Factor - what is it & why/how is it found? There are of course manufacturing standards for all sorts of products & textile slings are very specific in their requirements. Here a factor of 7:1 is appropriate, or 4:1 if combined with a steel component!? All very clear, or not? The only reference I can find at 10:1 is for PPE. I'm not convinced that this is appropriate for a rigging scenario at this point in time. I am however looking forward to being convinced in one way or another, either by manufacturers, who I'd hope have a degree of experience from which to advise us, or from anyone with a relevant train of thought to add to the pot. Many seem to agree that the rope should always be the weakest link in a rigging scenario so that if there is a failure, the trajectory of the log that caused the failure can be predicted to some degree, whereas any other failure point could lead to hardware flying in an unpredictable manner. On this basis the strength of our top anchor sling for the given tensile strength on 16mm double esterlon would need to be in the region of 14500kg. This is taking into account -35% rope strength for knots & -20% for sling configuration. The easy answer that requires little thought is, DON'T OVERLOAD A SYSTEM! So why is there any discussion? Because failures do happen & therefore there is a need to understand why figures & factors are banded around like some kind of "Knowledge is Power" rap. This information needs to be definitive; preferably from within the treework industry but maybe equally important from manufacturers. I look forward to any discussion towards resolution so rigging can be removed from the arena of 'Dark Arts'. Nod

Not sure why, but I've always tied the bowline with the tail outboard rather than inboard as shown in the images. Whenever I'm grounding & the knot is inboard it always seems a pain to untie. What are peoples reasons for tying the way they do. I've always found it tidyer!! (Is that a real word?)

Hello Nick Thanks for your informative response, it's normally better than shooting from the hip! Is it the case that it's the Maxi Jacket on the Double Esterlon that gives it the initial strength of 10-15% above Portland Braid? It would seem odd that the intrinsic quality of material & construction could be altered so much with a water based urethane post construction bath! Also, do you have any points of reference for your comment"loading your ropes to the 10 % rate in line with good practice", as I've been discussing this alot in recent times? Cheers Nod

Hey Brad We have the pinto spacers. Call 07971 830331 to discuss Cheers Nod Treeworker

Dear Arbtalkers I'm sure many of you are aware that for some years I have offered rope splicing workshops for those who are sufficiently interested to spend a day getting sore hands in the time honoured tradition. Apart from a couple of private workshops I have not offered this training for over a year due, in part, to the need to create a degree of clarity with the whole issue of hand splicing of arb ropes. The muddied waters became muddier for a while & are now clearing somewhat. Hand splices seem only to be such a big deal here in the UK; no particular reason that I can see, well one or two, maybe! Certification has been proven throughout Europe using the same techniques & measurements but our view has been to question the testing methodology & its pertinence to our use of rope. On this basis a new standard & competancy training has emerged, homogenising all manufacturers rope into construction type. Good news for the way ahead I believe? What I'd like to do now is to begin regular workshops for anybody interested in splice training, from 16 strand, double braids & hollow braids. We are beginning a European tour in September starting in Poland then into Scandinavia, the aim being to offer & promote the European Arborist Rope Splicing Standard. The concept is about to be peer reviewed so that we can fine tune the finished program before the workshops begin. Please email me at [email protected] if you'd like to receive information on up coming workshops, timings, locations & costs. Best wishes Nod @ Treeworker

Hello Bill Thanks for taking the time & making the effort to organise this workshop, it makes alot of sense for me to travel once than for 6-8 people to travel once. Airmiles & all that!! Anyhow, for those interested in the workshop in Dorchester it will involve practical training in all types of 16 strand rope splicing. During the day we cover rope technology, splicing tools, CE certification, competancy & any other matters that affect or influence the splicing of arborist rope. This workshop has been presented many times during the past 6 years with many satisfied individuals happily leaving with sore hands. Tools will be supplied for the duration of the workshop & are available to purchase at the end of the day. Check out past threads on splicing workshops for any comments regarding quality & content of the days proceedings. Many thanks Nod

Hello Big Pinus I shall pass on your thanks to everyone who worked so hard to build & furnish our shanty at Capel Manor. I'm just about to leave for the UK TCC so maybe I'll see you down there. Come say hey! Cos I don't know who you are in person. Or maybe I do. Cheers Nod

Hey Chris Many thanks for your words of support, it's always good to get feedback both positive & negative. It's what enables us to stop for a moment & consider whether what we're doing is in line with our beliefs. People have a way, a way of being & this is shown no more evidently than in what they do, not what they say! Take care, enjoy & see you around. Nod

Hi Spencer We received stock of these shortly before xmzs if you're interested. Nod @ Treeworker

I did hear that certain people in the US claimed provenance over the idea & successfully sued Buckingham for making & selling the product (possible out of court settlement). I wouldn't hold this in any way as fact because it was only hearsay but all part of the history none the less. As Craig said, not really changed arb much but it was definately one of the additions to the tool box that encouraged people to begin thinking that there could be other possibilities in how to approach their work. Just look at what has followed that lead! Kind of funny to remember climbing on a pulley in 1993 & thinking that it was far too slick & therefore must be dangerous. Craig, do you remember the German climbers being banned from using a VT at the Lancaster comp in 1995. Funny things do happen. Look at us all now. Trying, testing, changing, tweaking, spending etc. The tree is still the tree though! Cheers Nod

Hey Kevin As far as I'm aware the dual saver was created by Frederick Mathias & Francois Doussant sometime around 1992-93. It was constructed by taking a standard figure * & cutting out the the centre section leaving a large & small ring. These were added to a webbing sling sewn with a crows foot loop at each end so that the rings could be secured. The 8 rings were later changed for specific sized purpose built aluminium rings that were stitched directly into the webbing as per todays cambium/friction savers. I understand that the invention has been claimed by others in the USA but to my knowledge these were first shown publically at the 1st European ISA Conference in Leinstein, Germany in 1993. Commercially, the first producer was Svensk Tradvard 85 who helped begin a mass change in peoples approach & attitude towards tree work & climbing. Quite fair to say that as a supply company that they were way ahead of the time. I still have my original figure 8 cambium saver hacked sawed apart in the workshop & showing a deep groove in the rings as they could not spin around, therefore the wear was all in one spot. Cheers Nod