nepia

How about a bit of haggling with the lease co.? Economic times are hard for them remember. You obviously like the Navara when it works properly so perhaps you could agree (in writing of course) to take another one on the understanding that the lease co. will take it straight back if it too plays up. The fact that 'so many' people have had problems - actually probably only a small minority of all Nav owners - will hopefully mean that you've just been landed with a rogue vehicle this time and that a replacement won't be the same. Mine hasn't been perfect but the niggles are minor and don't affect its operation. Worth a thought? (Far less big) Jon

Excellent. When I first saw that I wondered what horrible disease you had on your forearm!

Will the elevator need to be attached? I'm thinking that an old bale elevator from a farm sale could be a cheap start for that part of it. Possibly self-powered too so it would be a separate entity but a cheaper alternative to an all in one machine.

This place is on the edge of Biggin Hill on the New Addington (Croydon side). http://www.highamsfarm.com/index.html

Have e-mailed the secretary of a local woodturning club for you. I don't know if they're inundated with yew at the moment - I'm certainly having a bit of trouble shifting Monkey Puzzle but it is going slowly. Will let you know what he says. You probably know this anyway but woodturners tend to go pale and need a sit down if anything more than beer money is mentioned. Jon

The worst that's happened is that the main waist buttonhole has enlarged so the button comes open sometimes. Still loving them even if I have been accused of being a chainsaw gigolo (blue n orange colour selection).

Ace. If you put 'modellbau' into Youtube there is other incredible stuff there. But as you say - who has that much time?!

Had a puncture within five minutes of using the trolley for the first time but when you run small pneumatic tyres on rough ground with a load on it's going to happen. I got it repaired in minutes for a small sum and haven't had any bother since. No regrets!

Know the feeling. Last year I ringed up a windblown horse chestnut for a friend in some private woodland near a lane on the understanding I could have it (it was easy work!) as well as a load of nearby ash. Went to fetch it and found two gentlemen almost stepping over the ash to grab the h/c for the back of their Trannie van. I kept a straight face and politely explained that it wasn't theirs to take but that they could keep the dozen or so rings they already had. Thanks for shifting it guys.

Was told the self same thing, having had about 10 jabs by the time I was 30.

Yeah, I've got a couple of pairs. They do a good job but don't think they feel like ordinary socks most of the time. They're stiffer and have a distinct crunch to them (OK, like ordinary socks after a few days!) Looks like the price has gone up though; £21 last year. They do work. Jon

.....introduced to the UK at the end of the 18th century. .....ball park figure; £10-£20 per ring but variables are where you are - the South-East has loads of M/Puzz for turning - the size of the eyes and trunk diameter. I'm told that you need a larger than average lathe to turn anything bigger than about 15" dia but there are quite a few about. Jon

Regular applications of neatsfoot oil seems to preserve the leather well; stops it drying and cracking. Jon

This company specialises in ally fabrications so wouldn't be cheap but they would (I hope) be good: they mass produce ladder racks for pickups amongst other things. http://www.njaluminiumlinings.co.uk/ Jon

Lawson's (yeuch), privet (same), Thuja, yew spring to mind or one of the smoother leaved hollies. How about pittosporum for something different?

John: If having made it back to Hastings you see these posts and the wood still needs to go perhaps there's opportunity for divvying it up... Jon

Thanks Al - you're a gent. I have sent a PM but I guess John's 30' in the air by now and not in a position to reply! Jon

I've got a couple but as was said on another thread a while ago that I can't find it's a bit like comparing a Mondeo to a BMW 3 Series. Cutting Edge saws don't pretend to be Silkys and they aren't but if you want a cheaper alternative for light work I think they're good, certainly good value for money. I don't need a hand saw enough to worry about the difference so will happily stick with Cutting Edge. Jon

Put me second in the queue for that one; I'm very close. Jon

Jonathan, take a deep breath and go through the small print of your lease agreement; there may be some useful obligations on the part of the supplier there. Also I should think that goods leased are as subject to the 'fit for purpose' law as much as goods bought unless specifically excluded by agreement. A phone call to Trading Standards may sort that one out. Having a rant at Nissan first can't do any harm though I'd guess. I'm on a leased 11 plate Nav too and am not impressed with the build quality and finish: the paint is just outrageous - I've never seen such poor stuff on a vehicle. Functionally mine's been OK (I'd hope so too after 3,000 miles) but the rattles and squeaks don't speak 'finish'. Jon

To dive in on that one (again!)... the amount of chip that gets caught by the arches of my Kingcab Navara is so small that you can kick it out in seconds. For log deliveries I lay logs lengthways between the arches and the front of the buck. That seems to help; they get left behind but the others run past them mostly.

...Norton detected an attack by Black Hole Toolkit Website 5 whatever that might be; seems there was a high risk intrusion attempt. I would advise not trying the link.

Leave him alone - he's taught me how to stop a saw leaking oil!!!!

Crack on Curtis - you're welcome. I'll try to get a better vid when I next use it - one showing a full load. I've had my sheet about 18 months I guess and get a verbal slap from my colleague every time I forget it: for a non-tipping vehicle it's a no brainer when compared to shovelling. The only wear I've suffered is slight fraying of the open end of the sheet but I was told about that at the time of purchase and it isn't a problem: gaffer tape or hemming will sort it. I do keep leaving the handle lying about - I've just got it back after leaving it in Enfield! I wonder if a way could be devised of clipping it to the roller for transit. You may have to go posh for that and have a jointed handle that folds into a single length - more cost though I know. How about a pocket stitched in to end of the sheet (I'm sort of thinking out loud here)? I think the Loadhandler's time has come in this country; best of luck with it. Jon

If you want to use any of [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct6mlCw8Vhc]Unloading - YouTube[/ame] please be my guest but you'll need to blur the face of the youth. But I won't take umbridge at a 'thanks but no thanks'! Jon Caterham