Mike Hill

The lifting power of the GRCS is great. The Hobbs lift capacity is really just for pretensioning lines. When it comes to Boshing big chunks,the Hobbs wins hands down.

I feel that the truly gifted climbers owe some of their ability to genetics.The guts to push themselves further,the intelligence to pull off certain actions,the self belief that makes them go and consistently achieve high production. Further,I feel that its difficult to be a great climber whilst staying in one Country.What makes a top climber in the UK may not cut the mustard in the States.Also in order to leave their comfort zone and travel to a job in another land requires huge self belief.If you don't pass the trial,you go home because you weren't good enough. I feel this type of personality isn't restricted to Arbwork.People like that join the Forces,specifically more specialist or gutsy units.The Para's and Royal Marines spring to mind. There have always been those people who take any job to the top level.I think Arb work,or more to the point technical dismantles attract people who are willing to "go a little further". The above is not directed at just any climber,although a little is aplicable to eveyone you puts on a harness.

I also have better results at longer range with Sub Sonics. I have read that because when Hyper Velocity projectiles slow down to from supersonic to Subsonic they become unstable.That process is call the Transonic phase. Also the Hyper Velocity projectiles are lighter so they can be pushed faster.Light projectiles are not ideal for long range.

My first chipper! They are getting on a bit now,but as has been said they are robust and easy to work on.Have an expert look it over,most would have had or would need their Bearings changed by now.That depends on the hours of course. If your starting out on a budget,then the right machine in good condtion should serve you well.

Two Climbers can fill the Role of two Groundies. Two Groundies cannot fill the Role of even one Climber.

Here is Dad firing my.35 FN Self loader. Its brutal,the action is similar to the Browning A5 Shotgun. If you turn up the sound,I think you can actually hear him wince. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nprgds7vBE]YouTube - shooting 001.AVI[/ame]

Hare Rifle? Heres mine. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZPLvBfXfKo]YouTube - shooting 002.AVI[/ame]

Thats a good point. I tell the missus to respect the Tree your are dismantling,but at the end of the day you are utilising its structure to implement its demise.You are the terminal organisim,your there to destroy its being.

I appreciate your background.However if we turn this debate into a diatribe of our achivements it will quickley become a "Urination Contest". I venture that now more than ever older people are entering this industry.Wether thats a good thing or not vrs the typical young fella starting out is what this thread is all about. This thread has been interesting indeed.With many valid points made by many posters. It would now be good for some employers to chine in with their prefrences when hiring new staff.

Happy Birthday mate! Hope you have a good one!

We are talking about Climbers Dean. That seems to be the main focus of what people new to this industry want to do. So if you start climbing when your 40........ Or when your 30..... 20...... 17..... And so on.

One has very limited capabilites when inexperianced.Should that person always work to the boundries then they will never improve. Young people naturally push the boundries,older folks generally work within them.Bearing in mind that many or most people entering this industry at an older age will not have had such a physically demanding job.

Yes,I agree. However most youngsters can't see past the end of their Doodle.So the idea of forming a company is a distant goal.

When your missus climbs as well.... Its a bit weird getting touched with hands as hard as yours. No sure I like it or not.

Your work fitness willbe vastly improved by regular gym visits. Also if it is your first time in a physical job,nutrition and hydration are vital. Your dead right about your last statement. "If you think you know everything,you probably know nothing"

Ha ha Brilliant When I saw that picture I really wanted a Glass of Red Wine....

Fair enough Tommer. My original point was that now more than ever there seems to be more older climbers getting into this Trade. As I maintained,I have never worked with a learner climber that started late.To be honest I wouldn't consider a trainee in their 30's as the cut and thrust of it is that they will use my company to gain experiance and set up in competition. Plus it sounds like most of them are slow.

Somthing for you to play, and a little Cheese for your Whine Sir.

Sooooooo. You either go to College or start a business with little experiance. Both ideas have limited backing from this forum Dean.

True. But you and me both own mogs and cranes. Imagine having both when you where 30,would have made things alot easier. You got mechanised in time to make life easier.You and me seldom drag or carry.Imagine doing all the numpty work starting at 36.

You will be a 41 year old with enough experiance to be competent,just making leading hand wages. I think this may be an example of how a training organisation fills new climbers with false hope. Many firms are "job and knock" your groundies will give you their best everyday if they know everyday they come back with time in hand. There won't be many days like that when your 41.

Weight training builds Muscle that helps support joints. I have weight trained for about ten years,with the odd two or three months off here and there. My aches come from a few injuries.One was sustained at 17 years old,the other a few years ago. People generally want to get into this trade as a climber.Sure there are plently of highly skilled groundstaff around,the best of whom were generally very good climbers. I think that training organisations are selling a myth to older people.Unfortunatly is a myth easily beleived by them.

$1800 US From Baileys in the States. I used one extensively in Canada and a bit in Germany one year. For pretensioning lines that are going to have big Chunks snatched off,they are the best I have used. I am willing to order one from the states,its just that it takes a while to get here and there are few jobs on the books I need one for.

You have never been a young climber.So mate how would you know? There is a "keeness" that young climbers have,that older guys do not.Its the eagerness to go out and prove themselves.Right or wrong climbers are risk takers,the younger the bloke the bigger the risk he will except. Its all very well climbing by the book,thats how you begin to learn.Young guys take the rules and bend them till they begin to splinter.

Regs device does look good. If one of the drums could wind then I would buy one. I need a sturdy device some cranking power.I have used the GRCS but do not think the extra cost suits our style of work.