Rob D

I've found that one of the easiest things to make and sell are rustic picnic benches.... the reason I think is everyone usually has space for them, they can be competitive with manufactured furniture and you have a built in table and seats. If you make a table with separate benches it takes longer and is not so practical as the benches are too heavy to move in and out. The mini mill with a 15" bar and cross cut chain flies through the wood and can be used to rip down planks. It makes it a pleasure to use... or more pleasurable anyways! The vid isn't that good but basically: Get the top flat Mill a 3" board and place to one side Using the mini mill cut across the log at bottom, 27"-28" up, another 27" to 28" up and then 6' from there Mill a 3" plank and you bow have 2x 28" pieces (legs) and top (6') The legs are squared and at 3" sit nicely on the 6' piece Cut the first board you made down the center for seats and use the end of braces Put together and leave for 2 to 3 months Now the wood has surface dried spend an hour planing and sanding just to smarten it up I sold x4 of these at a show for between £360-00 and £440-00 and you can make massive versions.... an upright support needs to go under the seat though or x2 big 'uns on one side will have it over! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FM7Y8gVOaw&feature=channel&list=UL]Log to bench - YouTube[/ame] And I made this one at home from planks off the same tree. Plan is to make a boatload of these now ready for a sand and tidy at the beginning of the next garden season.

I know what you mean Jon - after mine disintegrated I decided to go for a mega saw horse.... got greedy and made it too wide though but you can put very long pieces on and if you clip it it's not a problem.

There isn't any guarantee but the likelihood is they would reduce prices to further increase sales. Let's face it no one here would be buying the stuff out of loyalty and dedication - if we buy it it's for our own reasons. And ref the tax argument what GardenKit is saying is that if the government reduced tax only on Aspen because emissions are more environmentally friendly then the price would come down relative to pump fuel....

Ah - that's what you were talking about the other day! Yep looks the business

I think the price is more linked to the packaging and difficulties in distribution rather than big margins..... if it was nationwide at the pumps it would be a totally different story. The more people that use it I expect the price will come down but a bit of a chicken and egg situation. I've used nothing else for 5 years and buy a pallet at a time..... it's painful when you do but I still feel well worth it.

Getting some good feedback.... don't be shy with what you think as I'll be putting up all the results and comments.... but anonymously. 4 out of 17 so far.

PM Big J as he's organised, can send by pallet, has good prices and quality timber....

I'm going through all this at the moment - have used a polytunnel to dry logs for 6 years and now that it has been flagged to the council they are saying I need to apply for change of use.... So it is sticky territory and not a given you an do this.... but then look at all the yards and places around the country where it is going on. If someone notices you could have a problem.

Ha ha! PM over what you thought on the initial uses and whatever files you've ordered I'll change for the brand you liked the most.... .... but please don't tell anyone else the results i.e. what file you thought was the best ta.

Only 3 people have PM'd results so far - would be good to have most of them in by Sunday then gives me fewer people to chase! 17 file testing kit have been sent out - took almost 6 hours to do - as usual 1% inspiration etc etc Having the idea is always the easiest bit.

Well done Dave I've bunged in a £10

Well done Dave I've bunged in a £10

Sorry only just seen this thread again. It's not a great finish more just for material removal really...

Sorry only just seen this thread again. It's not a great finish more just for material removal really...

If you can try and test them by end Monday that would be good.... Had a few results in already but am not saying nutin' until they're all in! Everyone else please PM me the results as soon as you can. Ta

If you can try and test them by end Monday that would be good.... Had a few results in already but am not saying nutin' until they're all in! Everyone else please PM me the results as soon as you can. Ta

All the file test kits have now been sent out. Please follow instructions contained therein - PM me when you have tried them. They have all had the brand removed. They will be marked as : Shiny tang - the sharp bit that pops into file handle is shiny. Shiny tip - the round part furthest from the handle is shiny. Black tip - the round part furthest from handle has been blacked out. No marking - only the brand name has been removed. Then please PM me the order you think they should come in and any general comments. Best – Pretty Good – Ok – Last –

All the file test kits have now been sent out. Please follow instructions contained therein - PM me when you have tried them. They have all had the brand removed. They will be marked as : Shiny tang - the sharp bit that pops into file handle is shiny. Shiny tip - the round part furthest from the handle is shiny. Black tip - the round part furthest from handle has been blacked out. No marking - only the brand name has been removed. Then please PM me the order you think they should come in and any general comments. Best – Pretty Good – Ok – Last –

All the file test kits have now been sent out. Please follow instructions contained therein - PM me when you have tried them. They have all had the brand removed. They will be marked as : Shiny tang - the sharp bit that pops into file handle is shiny. Shiny tip - the round part furthest from the handle is shiny. Black tip - the round part furthest from handle has been blacked out. No marking - only the brand name has been removed. Then please PM me the order you think they should come in and any general comments. Best – Pretty Good – Ok – Last –

Well done Morten!

Well done Morten!

Yes if you wish to take part please follow instructions at beginning of the thread. I've sent half out - taken me ages to do this! Next half going out tomorrow. Please don't publish what you think on this thread as it may influence others - follow enclosed instructions and PM me. Ta

Yes if you wish to take part please follow instructions at beginning of the thread. I've sent half out - taken me ages to do this! Next half going out tomorrow. Please don't publish what you think on this thread as it may influence others - follow enclosed instructions and PM me. Ta

Maybe not quite as severe as 'ban unions' but certainly along the above lines....

Maybe not quite as severe as 'ban unions' but certainly along the above lines....