dougie44

changing the blades on the chipper this weekend. got first blade off ok, two bolts on the second don't have enough grip for me to loosen any help please, how bad would it be to change one blade?

i've a question for anyone.

moved back to scotland a few years ago, due to lack of jobs decided to have a ago at my own busines. at the moment ticking along. i have the chance of going into business with the wifes sister, nothing to do with arbs and it's in north london ( enfield/tottenham area ).

my question is?

do i take the van, chipper and all the gear or get rid and have a clean break.

Most of my work is around 2 hours drive away, and i drag a caravan to any site where there's a week or more's work and 90 mins or more driving. It's the only way I can carry on, because the fuel bill would cripple me if I drove, and 4 hours driving on top of 8+ hours physical work every day isn't that good. You obviously save time during the week, but you spend a lot of weekend time getting it ready before a job, then slopping it out when you get back. I know mine was cheap at £700, and it's only 12 foot or so, and it's 20 years old, but it's not pleasant having to spend so much time in it, especially when it's very cold, as everything becomes damp (although my plan to fit a woodburner should cure that). The worst part's having to crap in what is nothing more than a glorified bucket which is only 3 foot or so from where I cook and eat my meals.

just curious? do you find you make more contacts this way and are companies now calling you, knowing you could be on the spot quikcker and hang about longer without farting about looking for accom.

fair enough.

no.and i hope i can remember what to do if it happens.

thanks for the heads up mr bullman. just thought i get the first fair of the season, make some contacts, try and meet up with the guy's i met in london. there seems to be a lack of these fairs north of the border. good to know your looking out for us. might just take the wife to her sisters.

well done, i'd work with you anytime. a slight problem i've noticed, we're coming up to a new spring/summer season when things start to pick up (god willing) some places get so busy that practice is seen a luxury also taking on inexperienced ground staff who don't know what to do.

do many companies practice rescue/first aid on a regular bassis.

i'm considering going down to capel manor fair. anyone in central scotland interested in going to share driving/petrol. i live in muirkirk ( check it out on google maps). should have accom sorted, my sister-in-law lives in enfield. if decent response should be a goer.

i apologies to anyone i offend but does anyone think there will be any work in the clear up in western australia area after there terrible disaster.

well done tupps. have patience with any agencies and be willing to travel, the reason i mentioned about the caravan was getting accom, firstly you have to tie into 6/12 month contract and the deposit is a bugger. if you have any friends/family down south especially around london try and stay with them on a temp bassis until you sort your self out. apart from that do we know shreks wee brother

Cheers for the responses guys. I do have CS38 and chose all the kit myself and mostly by experience of having used it at college, just wanted to see if anyone could spot any obvious flaws that I may have missed in my naivety.

 

As Phenom said, I could just do with the practice and needed a good excuse to get the kit so thought I'd take on the job and use that as the push I needed. It's not a serious job in the slightest, more just a give it a go cause they want it coming down anyway. Money isn't too much of a problem, I'm pretty good when it comes to saving and management, just don't wanna buy something that a cheaper version I may have overlooked could do better.

 

How come you wanted to know if they'd advised me what to get dougie?

i was only curious if they "advised" about the gear. i've read all the posts with interest. the point i was trying to make was patience my boy. i understand your enthusiasm to get in there, but don't go spending your money unless you've an iron clad job to go to. i didn't see a first aid kit in there.

stretching this point a little further is there a union for arb people.

i'am not blaming anyone i asked for opinions. maybe there is more companies and colleges can do to work together. in this current climate what do college leavers do if they don't get a job, is there a time limit after leaving when they should forget a career in arbs.

that's one of my points it's the newbies that are the skilled and experienced of the future and the colleges keep sending them out, to what, the same old mantra no job unless your experienced, no experience without a job. and this magic "two years"

don't be to quick in buying gear or taking on private work at the moment, save your money unless you've got a good job prospect after college. most companies provide climbing gear and when you start climbing you'll get to know what you need, by the way was it someone from the company that was advising what to buy?

i'am looking for peoples opinion on working for big companies(iss, fountains,veolia,imrie:thumbdown:) or little private companies. i've got to say some of the bigger ones, especially at the moment when they can pick and choose who they take on, treat you very badly and why doesn't anyone invest in future workers by taking newbies. or maybe i'am wrong.

so if i get a caravan, travel round the country following the work, whenever they need extra bods i can post it on here and some of you guy's will be willing to travel.

TUPPS you need to get out of ayrshire to find work.

look at it as an investment. when you've done with it you sell it on. the problem i find with temp work/contracts is finding accom. we should set up a network of arb friendly accom all over the country.

with so many people chasing work all over the country, is it worthwhile investing in a caravan or mobile home and if so which one would be better?

Just been working in London for the past 6 months. doin tree work in epsom/mitcham area. Returned home to Scotland could't afford living down there any longer. i've got a pre 97 license, i can tow and use a chipper, C.S. 30, 31, 38, 39 and a stump grinder ticket and i'm a bloody good worker. i'm close to the M74 easy reach glasgow/edinburgh. willing to pick up the odd day here and there( test & try before you buy). all offers considered.

how you doin tupps. just came back from london. you're looking well. trying to fnd work myself now. trying all councils in scotland. you think we picked a bad time to get into this game.