pileswasp

I know someone who's bought one for exactly this reason. Though they seem happy to send him the missing bits as he discovers them (no instructions), it seems as "not quite right" as you would expect it to be. Optimists beware. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

At least 3 possible reasons here: http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/maintenance-help/101631-farmi-mastersplit-wp36-ram-sticking.html (junk in the splitting chamber, lack of lubrication, or a broken valve)

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Can't help with your actual question, but - "261 not running right" - the needle bearing would be my first port of call before digging any deeper. They have form. Resetting the auto tune is "5 uniform cuts to length under full load". Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Not only that, he's an "early adopter"; that's 0001, the first production Exeter. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

There's an air inlet in the base of the flue, but I don't recall it being as controllable as you seem to be thinking. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Rims *are* a better solution in pretty much every case except the 261 Ran my old 260 on rims for a lot longer than the 20-odd days it took my latest 261 to get switched to a spur. I am cursed with optimism, though, so I keep buying 261s in the hope they will one day be as trouble-free as that 260... Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

In short: unlikely to be relevant. That was (and still is, IME) the 261 and it was the other way round. The problems were rumoured to be to do with a bad run of rim and spline sprockets. Less frequent problems with spurs. Worn/disintegrating needle nearing; worn clutch drum; unreasonably wobbly clutch drum; overheating bar, chain and side plate; "cut off" oiler arm; stalling when idling; unable to start with the chain brake on; ultimately, worn crank so replacing the bearing and drum (and oiler arm, again!) no longer "fix" the problem. Never had a sticking chain (that wasn't due to a fault in the chain) in 3 261s that all suffer the above to some extent. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Mine started doing this last autumn. Particularly big jolt if I was still rolling back when I pressed the clutch. Drove fine forwards, except I couldn't change down into 2nd. New gearbox was the answer for me. Another cheap trip to the garage! Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I've got about 200-250 binders just across the border near Broxbourne, Herts, but only 40 stakes left now. Can probably do you the pole if larch is any use. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I'm prepared to accept that Aspen's better for the environment at point of use, but I've often wondered how it compares at the manufacturing stage and are all these 5l plastic cans returnable? Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I'm Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

http://smallwoods.org.uk/ do various courses. "Coppicing and Coppice Crafts" by Rebecca Oaks and Ed Mills would be worth a read. I suspect you will get more out of the Dorset Coppice Group, initially, as they are a bit more established. I wouldn't expect it to be a money spinner!

Sharper drawknife? Or turn the bevel up the other way, perhaps. Not much experience on pine, but with a bit of care with the grain around the knots you should be able to get an incredibly smooth finish with nothing else. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Lurking mostly, but I'm here. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk