caledonian bob

What do you guys use to combat the aches and pains associated with tree work,the

bad backs ,shoulders and wrists to name a few.the nhs has nothing to offer if you can still work but once you become old and crippled they can offer help.

I personally have used alternative healing for years with mixed results,that is when the cocodamol runs out.

I have used bowen's massage....useless

Reikki brilliant and now I am learning it

And lastly a chain smoking alcoholic faith healer who charges 50 QUID to poke you and blether but somehow it works,go from mad muscle spasms where you cane even stand up to fully restored in 12 hours.don't know how he does it but worth every penny.

Any one else got any good ideas?

Mintease or Uddermint. I used to use it when I was cutting. It was particulary good on lower back and wrist. Let me know if you want to try it and I'll bring a tube over.

The main reason people don't like it is because of the way it looks, I think it looks ok and doesn't stand out from a distance. X fence isn't the cheapest but its an excellent very rigid net, so much easier to pull up than hinge joint and goes much tighter. A good clipex fence, correctly installed is like a big elastic band and very tough. The one we are doing at the moment with the beefy posts is like a wall. Its a lot quicker to erect and no stapling. Another factor is how compact the materials are, you can get 4 x the amount of posts in the same space as timber which is good where access is bad. The only thing I don't use a lot of is the strainers as they are very expensive so use creosote ones as they have more hold for turning and are a lot cheaper.

Thank you Sir:thumbup:

The other issue with clipex is you have to use clipex net, and there is no doubt that clipex all use this fact in their prices.

 

Staplelok, can use standard rylock, any manufacturer.

 

Ill be honest, I'm very sceptical of clipex, I've never denied that ,

If it's so good why have they not converted all landowners to it,

I believe it has a place, on Heather hills, and the like, but it's the fact it's not interchangeable to other manufacturers that for me is a draw back.[/QUO

 

Every maunfacturers net is slightly different in it's spacing of lines hense why we had to choose a suitable net which is XFence which we were suppling already. You can use another net but it may not let you clip every horizontal line in.

Fair comment on Staplelok (which we sold 5 years ago) but do you want to fidle with those staples?

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

You will never convert every landowner to one product, just look at how diverse fencing is!

Also, my main gripe with the clipsx pricing claims is that they space them out to 4M+ to achieve that costing.

 

You can do that with timber posts, 4-5 rounds which are stronger in the ground and the price difference is larger.

Clipex was brought to the market to offer a product which would stand the test of time and combat the premature failure of timber. Of course you can achieve the same costs if using timber, that have never been in doubt.

Bob, is it not the shortage of timber that is behind the forced fast growing of timber

The poor quality of timber is due to the planting of Sitka over the last 50 years on blanket forestry so nothing new. The only shortage is in quality timber.

Do any commercial foresters use the Clipex fences?

 

I've often thought it a waste to erect fences, that will last 30 years, round a newly planted wood. After 10 years a tree is fairly resistant to sheep/ deer.

 

How does the Clipex fence compare in price to normal fencing?

Short answer is yes. We have supplied Clipex to numerous customers for fencing woodland.

Price is extremely competative at about £.30 - £0.50 pence per meter more for the initial cost but over the lifetime of the fence, less than half the price. You will also erect more per day.

Bob if wot ur saying is true that would mean posts in hard ground would rot quickier than posts in soft ground, and strainers should rot very quick (esp 8" gate posts as they get the most and largest chaps).

And u could probably argue in an awful lot of cases on decent ground a stab should not have any cell damage as in some cases with likes of a suma will just push the stab in with its mass alone almost with out being hit.

 

Must admit i almost never use machine rounds, i'd argue that will have a far bigger impact on post structure than anything, ur taking away the outside layer of timber which offeers some degree of natural protection.

 

I don't think i've ever had a post rot in 5 years and could go to plenty of 20+ yr old fences still standing fine.

I'd say it will be more a problem with ur big sawmills caring more about cost cutting than product.

Find urself a local smaller family/old fashioned sawmill (1 that cut then lets post dry befre treating) u will probably end up with a far better treated post from them

Some times therer not as dear as u think, and some would argue worth paying slightly extra to keeplocal business's going and if ur ever short of a few things can just pick them up.

You obviuosly work wwith better quality than most. I speak to customers every day which are frankly severely p***ed off with posts rotting in less than 5 years.

A question for the Scottish delegation, I've been offered 4"cundie stobs, am I right in thinking these are just 4" non machine rounded posts or not. They come in at 15p per post more so it's not going to break the bank. I would consider treating the bottom of the posts if it prolongs the life of the fence line. I fully appreciate that our timbers arnt what they used to be. I've looked at the Hampton steel option and will send them a list although looking at the prices if I opt for this I will put longer runs with the longest being 300m using the wider netting.

You are bang on with your interpretation of Cundy posts. The are much better than machine rounds as the don't split like machine rounds. Please, please ask for a minimum of Class 4 posts or pressure treated Creo or opt for Clipex.

I work for a fencing supply company, if you need prices PM me and I'll get it sorted. If you need wider spacings use XFence as you can space at 4 to 6m.

I'm not sure I agree with your hunch bob.

It's not the use of the post knocker that is the issue, just the horrendous quality / inconsistencies in post treatment.

 

I know plenty of dug in posts failing after 4-5 years. Also the point of most resistance would definitely be the end of the stake, not ground lèvel.

 

I use chestnut for all my fencing, aslong as it's winter cut it should be as good as oak. Price wise it's competitive aswel and it puts money bsck into forestry. Seems a shame for it to be chipped for biomass.

I here what you are saying but with post knockers having ever increasing weight of hammer it is bound to have a detrimental effect on the cell structure of the post. I agree that some of the timber and the treatments are poor to say the least.

Chestnut is great but not cost effective to get it up here.

So do you think the whole post structure is weakened by knocking them in, not just the top and bottom?

 

I know nasty chemicals were involved in the past. But it's amazing that our ancestors knew how to be effective with timber. Venice is not alone being built on piled alder, which last indefinitely in water. Nowadays we plant the cheapest trees, with fastest growth rates makes the worst timber. Then when someone gets hold of semi decent hardwood specimens the path of least resistance is taken and converted into hardwood logs.

The whole timber nurturing industry needs re-evaluating.im not the first to say so. Naff primary product affects the whole chain. Because you are planting for the next generation few risk it. Greedy offspring potentially scupper it.

As the golden droid said.

We're doomed

Yes, the whole post structure, hense the quick onset of rot at ground level.

I totally agree with the rest of your comments.

Not saying your wrong at all.

I fence on the softer side of land. Don't really get rock that much. I have taken out posts that I've put in.

But unless it's been mushroomed on a foundation or such. The posts I've pulled out always seem OK and the tops may benefit from the pounding, being more compressed and repellent of moisture and fungi.

I think the real deterioration of timber is at the neck above and below ground level.

 

I'm currently using treated larch 9x9x 8ft sq posts. One I picked up today after been laid on the ground for about a month was covered in a white mildew(fungus) so I expect the treatments not up to much.

I'd bet the Larch posts were not European as they would last without treatment.

My point about where posts rot is at ground level i.e the point of most resistance.

A few more questions gents if you don't mind.

 

1. It's been suggested I use 3x3 square treated larch posts, which are comparable with round posts.

 

2. What about if I dip the round posts in a further preservative, ive this this at the a recent trade show.

 

3. I had considered clipex as they blend well into the landscape and a lot of the old fences on the higher hills were help up on old steel posts. I bet it's expensive to buy but cheaper on the labour.

As GN says European Larch is great if you can get it but it's like "hens teeth". Japanese Larch is OK but nowhere near European. Scots Pine is great, slow growing and resiliant. Stay away from Spruce and Fir, total rubbish!

Clipex is not expensive and is about £3.05/m depending on terrain etc.

The timber is rubbish and the supplier will.look for any excuse to get out of being responsible,

James Jones rep told me there timber had the 15 yr lifespan,

But if you cut a notch for stay then it doesn't count, if you make a hole with staple then they won't stand good,

Any excuse that 15 year is total fallacy.

100% correct, the manufacturers guarantee is not worth the paper it is writen on. Having said that UC4 is the best timber on the market at presant, without going to Creosote, and it's lifespan should be in excess of 15 years.

Now Bob, Que an advert for clipex!

No, not an advert for Clipex which to be honest is selling faster than we can get it and you will just slag it off without any real proof or experience of the product.

My question was genuine as I'm convinced that post knockers have a detrimental effect on posts as the cell structure is bound to be damaged particulary at ground level which is the point of most resistance.

Anyone ever considered that the overuse of post knockers is actually contributing to the premature failure of timber posts?

Hi Gn, if I remember your in Galloway area? I've just emailed some local suppliers for prices etc. I too picked up 12ft gates for about £70 so with posts and hooks etc came in about £120. Already put five gates up. My preference would have been to get it done in one hit by someone else but doing myself means big savings.

You are not far off for price, I could do posts and crooks for £65 but make sure you are asking for Class 4 strainers which will last longer, you should be able to pick them up for about £18 each

Looks like some good kit there,but no idea how to market firewood, or survive without r hi payments.there is no easy money in firewood.

Get the cheque book out Jake and ramp up production:thumbup:

Nice wagon, looking for a 130 but not a tipper

Ah it was yourself that passed me on the way out of Aberlour the other day!

Not been to Aberlour for a few years so must have been someone else. You could always buy my Landy and you'll have the tipper option if needed.

I would be there as rare as rocking horse ......

My 130 double cab is on Arbtrader just now.

going, very early train from york

Easy to get from Edinburgh Waverly to Ingliston with the tram, should cost about £3.00 for a return ticket.

What dates is it on this year?

23rd to 26th June

Bob, you don't half try to punt that clipex stuff,

Guy up my way had it but has taken it all down and used many different expletives to describe it.

 

I won't be going, someone said to me all you do is take all day to spend money, and speak to people you know, that you could speak to at home for nothing,

 

I've been twice, once never made it t be bus got impounded by the constabulary, and second time what there, my best Friend ran over my dog. So I can take a hint.

You can't blame me for pushing a good product but I would like to know who the guy is that has had it and taken it down as I havn't been informed of it. PM me the details.

I'll be going as I'll be on the McVeigh Parker company stand and if anyone wants to see Clipex fencing come and say hi.

Well your in for another shock wire prices set to rise,

Some manufacturers are saying prices will rise and some are saying the exact opposite!

Anyone going to caledonian forestry open day this weekend 6th/7th May or jas please Wilson 13TH /14th.if so I will buy you a free cuppa at Wilsons !

I might go to Wilson's Jake, will have to see what else is on next weekend.