Chris Sheppard

I've got some shelving to put up at home that eventually will be used for books but my worry is that some finishes might end up staining the books or even sticking to them over time. I'll be using some generic softwood and in the past have used Danish Oil but never tried it with books on it. Is it likely to be OK? I like how easy it is to apply as much as anything (not that am lazy or owt )

I think when it came to Land Rovers I 've just been really fortunate. I've had 7 that I can remember (a RRC, 4 D1's, a pre-defender 110, a 90 and a 130) and they've been no worse than any other type of vehicle I'd owned. I think part of the problem with used ones is that people use poor quality aftermarket parts to repair on the cheap and then wonder why they fail. My last defender (a 300 tdi 90) was at something like 325,000 miles when I sold it and as far as I know it was on it's original engine, gearbox and axles (I was only the secnd owner from new). I did put a galv chassis under it but the original would easily have welded up if I'd wanted to. It it a shame they're no longer being made, especially as there's nothing quite as utilitarian out there easily available over here. I do still think a big CC, slow revving straight 6 diesel would have been a good choice of engine for them at some point though (a la Land Cruiser) but considering they're diddy engines they did tow OK.

What's the score with warranty if you buy one out of the UK?

We've used one of these (though it didn't come from screwfix) for nearly 5 years and it's never needed anything doing to it than check the oil (never used any) and fill with fuel. Makita BHX2501 24.5cc 4-Stroke Petrol Blower | Petrol | Screwfix.com Find it works best with the flat nozzle for chasing sawdust about.

I'm pretty sure you're not imaging it John, I just think it might have been jonsered that did them. Couldn't find owt on Google either though.

That is neat We used to run the 150 on a really small mini digger trailer and it worked well.

Especially if you drop it on your toes

For the size of it, that's what I was thinking too

Front steer is still loads more manoueverable than a conventional compact tractor and still has the advantage of independent brakes - get a good snig behind an artic and it can't steer!

Stokbord works well. We have some 8 x 4 sheets cut in half (making 4x4 rather than 8 x 2) that we use for tracking the chipper or grinder across lawns but they double up as a shield when grinding too. Can't remember what thickness but about half inch.

No, if it's really wet I don't actually mind wearing them. Over winter its not uncommon for mine to be on more often than my proper boots and usually working on steep dale sides. The only ones I've got on with are the taller still ones and if you shop about they're not expensive.

We usually have one sawing, with one following behind treating stumps and pulling the worst of the scrub away from the cutter, then at the end of each strip (either working across the slope or up/down it) we grab a pitchfork each and start rolling it down to where it can be dealt with. Main thing is not to cut too much that it can't be manhandled.

Oregon Super Saw and the Husky branded stuff used to be really thick all year round, to the point where it was really slow to pour in the depths of winter, but it always oiled well IME.

No, No, No, No, No and NO I can't be the only person to hate hi viz can I? Orange braces are just about acceptable in the woods IMO and only coz they don't clash with the colour of the saws

I reckon you're spot on there. A Bilke or a Superpilke wouldn't be far off I reckon.

It's more than likely a way of saving fuel - older tractors don't always have a 540 eco setting so it just means you can run the tractor at lower revs than 540 would be but still have the right blade speed.

I'm not sure if there is a UK dealer for the Iron Horses? Are they still built by Jonsered? Was in sweden a few months ago and saw loads of them - made a comment to one guy about how few I'd ever seen in the UK and he was surprised as they get used for all sorts over there. I did wonder if there was a bit of a market for shipping second hand ones across.

I don't what do you mean Felix? Logging tape and a shiny set of sandvik tongs are in at the mo aren't they?

Fixed that for you twisty Had forgotten about such things as those, but with the old Jap stuff at least, if the lever is in 2wd, even with the hubs "locked" it's still in 2wd so doesn't wind up. Likewie, if the hubs are "unlocked" and the lever is in 4wd, it's still only ever going to drive one the rear axle.

I never understood the point in them. I tried running with them locked and also with them unlocked and didn't notice any difference in MPG so ran with them locked all the time.

That's all well and good her mates saying that, but how many of them have ever actually had to wash a pair? Mine usually go in with the rest of my grotty work jackets/sweatshirts etc on a 50 degree wash and never had any bother with making the washer dirty. If she digs her heels in, shove a dog bed through the washer - then she'll know about a mucky washer

pound for pound, these take some beating clicky link here

Even with a design like the oxdale one, (looks very similar to the Rosselli ones), I don't think you'd get away with just sitting the piece of timber in there under it's own weight once it gets short or is small diameter without having odd ones snatch or spin.

+ 1 for the Delica. £5-6 grand would buy one of the last diesel ones as a fresh import with about 30,000 miles on it and like brand new underneath. No computers to go wrong or fancy injectors - proper old school nuts and bolts mechanics leaving £15K to satisfy it's thirst for Diesel....