Les Cork

Here is the story of a man who spent his life working in the wood, mainly in the Arundel area of West Sussex, John Cooper who is fondly remembered as a pioneer of the industry in those parts. John sadly died after a long battle with MND [motor neurone disease] he has left behind a great book that also acts as a fund raiser for the research into MND to help others. Check out this and you will get an idea of the content, with a great cause and a great read put one of these on your xmas list. see http://awoodmanstale.yolasite.com/a-woodmans-tale.php DM chainsaws also stock this book with all proceeds going to the research for MND

Hi watch this video, these are faster than the traditional saw horse OREGON®: EASYCUT also available on ebay on OREGON EASY CUT SAW HORSE FOLDABLE CHAINSAW SAW HORSE on eBay (end time 26-Nov-10 13:08:43 GMT)

Stevie for your future ref next time buy an Oregon 91VXL 044E or 050E this chain is 33% longer than before and is a ltlle faster cutting. The L in VXL stands for long tooth

What is the average price for large Oak butts of 100+ Hoppis cube ? collected or delivered. And what is pippy oak fetching at the moment. Got an associate with an interest

Of course, biased and informed. But tis true most big Stihl dealers do sell more Oregon chain especially the ones who advertise on here.

I am chuffed that my youngest son Joe passed his first ticket today at the ripe age of 16 and 3/4. he knows he's at the start of a journey and he is willing to learn. So while he waits to sort out an apprenticeship if anyone needs a brash dragger within Medway/Maidstone area for a days pay then PM me. I'm teaching him about skyhooks, tartan paint, long weights and the like ! No doubt you can add a few more Meanwhile to see a lad up at 6am every day full of smiles at learning the basics does the old heart good.

Out of the box not a lot of difference, after 1/3 used Oregon gets faster and Stihl slower, at 1/2 used Oregon even faster and at 2/3 the difference is about 15% + faster. Oregon has a wider side plate and clear the chip faster, the top plate is less steep and the working corner easier to maintain. Features like lubrilink, lubriwell and vibedam keep more oil along the bar and chain and reduce vibration giving smoother operating. Most large Stihl dealers sell far more Oregon chain than Stihl chain which in itself is an indication of demand by the end user. Try the Oregon LPX, BPX and for your MS200 try 91VXL and you will see the difference. To select what chain fits your saw try the selector guide link below OREGON®: Selector Guide It's a good A-Z of chainsaws

Thanks for your input, i didn't want to mention that the saws are maintained to a high standard, the bar and chains always sharp and checked frequently and the usage a complete mix of everything, my mate is an NPTC instructor, assessor and pro user of some 35 yrs and like badgermert has replaced everything trying to solve the problem. He has many saws the same which don't give any problems. I will forward the comments so he can check the foil, clutch springs and bearing, it's interesting that others have experienced the same. Between us we can find the answer and publish it for others to gain from if they suffer the same. Any more ideas keep em coming

Hi This is on behalf of a mate who has a problem with chainbrakes getting harder to work when hot on his MS260 and MS440, has anyone else come across this ? Once cooled down they are fine. This cutter has many other saws, 3 other 026's without the problem and is baffled why this happens. Your help and how you solved the problem would be appreciated as the bruises on the back of his wrist will disappear.

Hi I worked for McCulloch for 12 years and have experience of the series 80 chain you mention, i have worked for Oregon for the past nearly 9 years and am one of the area managers launching Powersharp so i would like to answer your question. Series 80 chain had a different design tooth to Powersharp and very little raker and bumper link link compared to Powersharp. When i first heard about it i thought it was a re launch, in the factory in Portland back in January we all examined, used and saw it being made, the inventor showed us how he overcame the problems that the earlier chain had and what had made it successful. The test trials were carried out over a long time in all types of application and the results showed that they had got it right. The tooth is different with a strengthed twist and different cutting faces, the double bumper link gives very good anti kick back results and the narrow nose bar further reduces kick back. The secret is the Diamond dresser which profiles the chain grinder stone to keep the angles correct and give the rakers a touch up in the process. In the first 3 months of sales since launch we have exhausted stocks of Powersharp Worldwide as it has taken off. I have used 5 chains complete from start to finish and can say it does what it says on the tin. Go to your nearest dealer and try it for yourself. Regards Les Oregon

So what methods do you use to burn wet brash, no chipper allowed as in woodlands and no access. Tell us your fire starter techniques

Hi This is a rare one, i have spoken to my collegue Mike Irons who is the Oregon area manager for Scotland and he is happy for you to take this chain back to the dealer you bought it from and get a replacement, the dealer can then contact Mike for a warranty on your chain. Please post when you have received the new chain. Regards Les Area Mgr Oregon Cutting systems [south East]

Yes i am the area manager for the South east, South central to Lyme Regis, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.

Hi No problems with either of these boots, just a corporate decision that means we will not get anymore after any stocks we may still have and those of our dealers and distributors. As i said i really like the Pro plus, comfy,grippy and little break in required, i always wear decent socks [Meindl] with c/saw boots, expensive but worth it. Les

Hi Just to let you know Oregon have stopped the Super comfort boots and the Pro plus boots as well. We still have the Logger and the Yukon chainsaw wellies for really wet application and Farmers etc. I will announce on here when we know of a replacement boot range. I found the Pro plus to be very comfortable and still wear them.

Agreed Steve when using conventional chain in normal conditions, our bread and butter business as the Worlds no1 chain and bar mfg company. Power sharp enable you to overcome the extra sharpening when faced with the dirty wood conditions all chainsaws users hate to experience now matter how good they can sharpen. It is not designed to replace our conventional chain but work along side it and for many who are not pro's who cut logs for the fire it gives them the chance to cut with a sharp chain rather than forcing a dull chain thru. The point is exactly the subject as when blunt power sharp is back working in under 5 seconds, i've met some brilliant sharpeners in my time but none that quick and as the clock ticks time is money.

Hi A few people witnessed a bad demo at the APF, i would like to explain that in stuffing the powersharp chain in the dirt and bricks 15-20 times [just to show the abuse chains can get] eventually the chain wears out. The last of these demo's naturally are not impressive. We had in estimate 2000 plus see demo's at the APF over the three days most were impressed. Having now demo'd over 200 times the power sharp system across the South East i'll challenge you to a cut test, including blunting in the dirt then finishing the log. You can use your once sharp conventional chain and i will use power sharp. Any takers on a side bet ? a bottle of your finest perhaps ? Seriously, we at Oregon have been given a new product that since the founder of Oregon chain invented what today is the modern chain we all use was as exciting to the slasher chain and cross cut users back in 1947. Power sharp has enormous potential and has already proved it's saleability around the World since it's launch. Many Arbtalkers have seen and tried it and see the benefit of saving pro saws for cleaner wood by using a Power sharp set up which takes under 5 seconds to sharpen. After all having learnt to sharpen and spent time getting the edges and angles correct the worst thing is to hear the zzzz sound and have to stop and sharpen for 15 minutes then again in the second cut and so on. Time is money and for just over£45.00 + vat you can be cutting longer and keep your super sharp bigger saw for some cleaner decent wood. Give it a try at local dealer then make your mind up. Post back where you are and i'll tell you the nearest stockist. Best Regards Les Area Mgr Oregon Cutting Systems Division

Hi the point is not how sharp you can get a 3/8 low pro chain but how fast can you file yours after you have hit a stone or dirt, the Power sharp sharpens in under 5 seconds, everytime. Try it out at a few dealers then you can see for yourself. Les:thumbup:

Your right, Power sharp is intended for the homeowner who can't sharpen and is only made in 3/8 .050 [91VXL or picco] however, read the threads on here and see for your self that as a dirty wood saw you can keep your big saws for the decent timber and spend less time sharpening. Just calulate how many jobs you take that mean sharpening a lot due to dirt, stones, fence staples etc each sharpen takes time and time is money. This costs approx £45.00 + vat and fits to all saws under 45cc using a 14" or 16" bar and chain. I've cut bricks, roots, and stuck it into the ground and it always sharpens in 4 seconds and cuts wood again straight away.

Being posted this week to the early dealers who came on board.

Oi Less of the Less !

Re Elmea 2011 There are some hotels still available at around £100.00 per night for twin beds, i will hear early next week about holiday rental chalets which sleep up to 10 for about £300-400 a week. This could be a cheap option. Although we will be further in the countryside. A SUV from Gothenberg airport is about £950 and will take 6 in comfort or 8 with bags under feet so could be the cheapest way of getting around over the week at £100-120 each. So as a rough guide Flights £60.00 carpark airport £25.00 SUV hire £110 Rental home each £50-100 or hotel 3 nights £150 each Entrance to show TBC Fuel costs divided by 6 or 8 @ 20mpg = 30 gallons at whatever the Swedish fuel rate is. Grub and drinks TBC i guess about £400-£450 each unless we can be thrifty. Can Swedish Arbtalkers fill in the gaps re fuel, show costs etc Once a confirmed price option is available then it's book it and start saving £25.00 a week should do it. There are hundreds of houses to rent so multiples of hire car/van will work well. I will drive one for starters, i'm used to LHD all over Europe and the USA. Unless you want to fly to Stockholm then fly to Jonkoping ?

Re elmea 2011 I am waiting for some prices for cheaper hotels near Jonkoping, when i get the details i will post on here, there are flights from Ryan air and easy jet to Gothenburg and Copenhagen average is about £60.00 return plus extra bags and taxes. I will talk to Husky to see if we could visit either on Wed 25th, Thurs 26th or Fri 27th. An itinery can be made to allow travel time, if this is to work we need to all be arriving within a window from different airports. Once booked we are duty bound to get the "Arbtalk on tour" T shirts made ! I wonder just how many will want to go ? How many contacts in Sweden can help ? i will ask my collegues in Svenska Blount if they can negotiate a good hotel or lodges as well, looking at the website there are a few to choose from. I bet a few dealers will want to go as well.

Anyone fancy a trip across to Sweden next year ? see Scandinavia?s leading venue for the future forestry | Elmia This Forestry/Arb/Wood exhibition had 33,000 plus visitors to the last one in 2007. How about an Arbtalkers on tour trip ? we may be able to get decent rates for a large group. The live demo's are apparently everywhere over a huge site and worth seeing. Would be a chance to see many different methods and products not available/used often in the UK. The Husky factory is close by as well, i wonder if they would accomodate a tour for a few hours ? The BIG ONE Elmea Wood show is in 2013 at the same place.

Just to say thanks to all the exhibitors and visitors at the Lister Wilder Arb days on Tuesday at Reading and Thursday in Wallingford earlier this week. Much banter, some good demo's and a mini industry showing. Thanks to keith and the team at LW for the grub and refreshments. Exhibitors included, Oregon, Stihl, Husky,Marlow,Cutting edge saws, Timberwolf, Pinnacle, Makita, stumpgrinders LW shop. Hope to see more local dealer days, it's good to see and it lets you see close up working demo's which i prefer. As one group of Arb boys from Wallingford said, we heard about powersharp and saw a video at Saltex show, seeing it used showed us what we wanted to see, and they bought some. Have you seen the small timberwolf perform ? and it goes thru a gateway !