Rob D

I can see why there was 8 bags of rake up to get rid of! Was a hefty tree - try and get a pic of the gee whizz and trailer set up next time if you can!

Yep I hate cutting off spikes - but things like I have a milling job on a big oak that's going into a river so would be handy to be able to put them in to stand on..... but I've never seen a vid or process on how you make the cut etc for putting them in.

Just looked at the oiled pics - cracking... I've started using bone oak (good name for it!) for a few things but your bench has given me inspiration to use it more.

I'd like to see how you set up springboards as looked before for vids of how you do it and what you need but not found any.... It's not something people use over here other than in competitions... but I can see where they could be handy.

I know you're not trying to patronize - you clearly have a lot of experience and knowledge - what I was saying is that it was coming across a little like that.... Would be good if you had some pics, photos or vids to go with what your saying though as I'd like to see how some of these cuts are done.

I don't suppose any offense has been taken - but if I may comment (without causing offense) you could be interpreted as a little patronising. There's a lot of skilled tree workers over here, a lot of them been doing the job for a long time. They know what they are doing. You may not have met them yet but they are there.

Have to say I'm struggling to translate - I've not been eye to eye with a hard Dutchman since my sailing days!

Tricky one - that is a good size - but not sure who would want to use the timber and what for.... Hopefully some of the other members on here can advise...

Thanks for posting the offer. The larger tree could well be worth milling or firewood. If it was round the corner from me I'd def be interested in having a look. Sounds like you already have some interest already but pics would def give people a better idea of what you have.

I like the use of the engine hoist Alec

That is real talent if real.

Sorry to hear about this what a terrible loss - thoughts are with you and your family.

Is this spam Ref the OP - you can run an 18" bar on a 550xp but most people don't because it's outside of where that saw works best which for most is 13" or 15". As said most people will reach for a larger saw than fit a bigger bar but if you haven't got a larger saw then 18" on a 550 is an option.

The 12" dime tips have to run 1/4" chain but the 18" toonie bar (only for K095 Husky mount at the moment) has been designed to run .325 .050 chain (the oregon 95vpx chain), 3/8 lo pro or stihl picco chain and 1/4" pitch chain... The toonie bar has a dedicated Husky mount for 346, 550xp, 560xp and all the other saws that take the oregon K095 mount.... for the 550xp and 560xp the .325 chain would be a good option as is stronger than the 3/8 lo pro and 1/4" chains.... Nick was using 3/8 lo pro on his but the other options are there.

A month or so I gave a couple of the new lightweight Sugihara carving bars to Nick Speakman of 3dwood Portfolio Tags Gallery Two3dWood | 3dWood He is a full time pro carver and hammers his equipment! So was interested in his feedback. Am uploading the bars to the carving area on the website this afternoon Carving bars Comments as below: The first bunch of photos are of the finished Holm oak bench at Chilham Castle, carved using a variety of saws: MS 660 fitted with 18" Sugi bar and ripping chain Husky 555 fitted with laminated 18" inch sugi bar Husky 345 xp fitted 3/8 low pro 91vxl oregon chain with Sugi 18" toonie tip Echo 360 fitted with 1/4 pitch on a 12" inch Sugi carving bar As a pro carver who has always used cannon bars, the new range of Sugi bars easily compete in terms of build quality and easy of fitting. They have been easier to run in with the guide rail smoother on a new chain than the cannon bars - which can be a tight fit on a new bar! Have worked them hard over the last two big commissions and the tips of the carvers and toonies appear to be wearing well.

I think on a long bar on an 090 that set up can work Alec with minimum probs... Just been reading a bit more and I really like some of the mods he does to the equipment - very clever and practical.

Great post - as never realised the book was available online like that. He has some really great tips for milling and some of his adaptions are excellent... the only theory I would not agree with so much is his sharpening and adaption of ripping chain - but I think this was more for the times then and saws then. He says full chisel is best - for those old fashioned big old slow revving saws maybe it is - the vibration is much less and the dulling effect less as the chain tooth is hitting the wood slower. But for modern saws like the MS880 which rev higher I found full chisel is too aggressive, too juddery with loads of vibration and leaves a washboard effect on the board. Also sharpening in a 45 degree side plate angle - this means little tooth support and again maybe those slower revving saws it's fine but I would say it would again give a lot more vibration and fast dulling on a modern saw.

Great work You have the right idea - use the fact someone is copying you to up your game rather than getting wound up. Lovely original bit of work that.

Nope - at least not at the moment. I only have the 14" 200T bar, 12" carving, 18" toonie for Huksy in the lightweight versions. But the next step is to get the light weight versions in. I have to buy in x30 bars in each size and mount so difficult to get everything in one hit.... But I was thinking for the next order to go for all the lightweight versions in the main sizes so 13", 15", 18" dedicated Husky K095 mount, then 24" 28" maybe 40" Husky D009. Stihl prob 16" for 260s, 25" for 441s and perhaps also 36" for 660. Am open to requests

My missus likes it as well

Yep I'm pretty sure I know what you mean, the nose is bending in... I've had that with longer bars... what size bar are you using? What stage is the bar at - new, not used much, used a lot, not got a fleck of paint left on it?

Some great scenery - what a good way to have a break from things!

Wow - that's one of the best I've seen. Great design - very hard to use different woods so it looks right... that bench looks right!

Cracking Reg - thanks for taking the time to make and post that video. They sure is some tall trees out there... I thought the piece to camera was excellent - makes me want to see what you said in the bit that wasn't included!

Ok sorry this has sold!