Rob Stringer

Thats just made my day!

Bought a 550xp from honey bros a few months back and recall being told something similar when I bought it as it'd be 'wear&tear' rather than a defect. The brake band on mine went last week, the first problem i've had with the saw but I replaced it myself as I didn't have time to muck about with warranty claims (I bought it as a substitute for a stihl 261 so i'm a bit weary of those!).

Splitter&processor for me. Used to love splitting logs with a maul but when I got really busy with log deliveries found it took up all my time and could feel it in my back as well. Just use the maul for splitting logs to test with the moisture meter now as said above.

Like others have said i've been busy all summer with people stocking up with logs but just had the quietest october for log deliveries i've ever known. Havent even lit my own stove yet...hopefully november will be different.

Is food too cheap? Yes.

Is organic food too expensive? Yes.

Is Roundup/ Monsanto,etc bad for environmental health (inc people)? Yes.

Is having large fields of mono-crops going to be a problem for pest/weed management? Yes.

Is there an alternative? Yes, always.

Looks like others are thinking along the same lines..

UN: only small farmers and agroecology can feed the world - The Ecologist

Want to try rosehips this year, they're supposed to be much higher in vitamin c than oranges and can be made into syrup or added to soup etc. Just need to get some muslin type material to strain it through to get rid of the seeds.

I've had a pair of the ethical wares chainsaw boots (listed above) for over a year now and have found them very good (value, durability, comfort etc.).

Just finished putting some raised beds in which i'm very pleased with so thought i'd post a couple of pictures. The edging boards&fence posts are all sweet chestnut and the paths in between are covered with a layer of charcoal fines. The broad beans I planted in the autumn are cropping very nicely right now so i'll definitely be planting more (no blackfly either).

Looking at the logosol website it looks like they're mostly selling the stihl bars now (cant see any sign of the logosol guide bars that i'm used to on there at all). I've been finding how well i've sharpened the chain has been the main thing affecting how fast I can mill... If theres not much difference in the kerf and finish i'll probably try the standard gauge oregon stuff as its more reasonably priced and i'm only an occasional chainsaw miller...

did you try ruth at logosol, strange that the bars are not available, they run a std pmx chain, so nothing fancy about them

May do that, on the website they just list the stihl bars and bars for the electric saw. Oregon etc. bars&chains are available elsewhere at a lower price but mostly at the standard .063" gauge, just wondered if there was a noticeable difference in use and amount lost to sawdust etc.

hello all, the narrow kerf logosol guide bar that came with my m7 sawmill finally gave up while milling earlier this week. They dont seem to be available any more and most of the bars&ripping chains available are more standard gauge (cant remember the numbers off the top of my head). Was wondering if people had noticed much difference when milling with different types and thicknesses of bar&chain? It'll be food for thought when it comes to replacing the old&worn ones. Thanks, Rob S

hello all, may have some norway spruce to fell next winter (around 12" dbh from memory) and was wondering if it'd be worth milling up (with my logosol sawbench) as I dont really want it for firewood. Has anyone tried it and does it produce reasonably durable planks,posts etc. ? Thanks, Rob S

My Balfor A11v log-splitter typically gets through 5 litres of petrol in a day (maybe more if its a long day).

A 6 ft tenax-type plastic net fence around the area is more effective than laying brash on stools for protecting regrowth from deer browsing. The FC can often grant-aid this.

Research has shown that hazel regrowth can survive with up to 40% canopy maximum but 10-20% canopy is better especially if you want commercially useable hazel rods. I'd coppice them all in one go, I find most stools will regrow even if they've been left for 50 years+.

Yes, remember reading it from cover to cover in a couple of days..found it quite entertaining and thought provoking.

I always work through any chestnut I cut myself so cant advise on marketing the timber but I generally cut to the following spec: reasonably straight 6-12" diameter I cut to 10 ft lengths for splitting into rails (or posts if 7-10" diameter and cut to 6-7 ft length), anything over 12" will be sawlogs and under 6" material can be posts/stakes. Anything crooked or not easily useable can be cut for charcoal/stove firewood use.

I was hoping it'd be possible to fix the underlying fault before trying to get a refund as it's otherwise a good saw.

hello all, i've had a stihl 261 chainsaw for about 18 months now and like many others have had recurring problems with it. It had to be repaired under warranty 4 times for various clutch problems (clutch springs snapped, needle bearing etc.) and the last time the crankshaft was replaced. Its now out of warranty and another clutch spring snapped yesterday, shouldnt be too difficult to replace but I get the feeling there'll be more trouble again soon..

It sounds like loads of people have had problems with the same fault due to a manufacturing defect. I was wondering if anyone had found a way to resolve the problem (other than buying a different saw etc.)? Thanks, Rob S

I have also had a pair of the 'ethical wares' chainsaw boots for a few months now. Been very pleased with them so far and they're not unreasonably priced.

Thanks for the replies, looks like I was right to postpone milling then. Think i'll wait until it cools down a bit and keep everything stacked in the shade.

I was planning to mill some sweet chestnut with my logosol sawbench next week but have postponed as its too hot (boards will split and crack too much etc.). Given that it may remain hot for weeks and I need to clear the space for other purposes I was wondering if anyone has much experience of milling in proper summer-type weather? Is it worth bothering? Its stacked in the woods so theres plenty of shady areas for stacking planks etc. but I dont want to waste gallons of petrol cutting boards if there all going to split. Just curious to hear others experiences. Thanks, Rob S

BADA-UK (a lyme disease awareness charity) recommend using an insect repellent called 'mosi-guard natural' to deter ticks from attaching themselves. Its basically a spray with a strong citrus type smell, I use it this time of year if i'm working on a site where ticks are prevalent.

Best person to speak to is the FC woodland officer for the area as they'll know what funds they've got and what types of work they're looking to support. Other than that, just get the application in and see what happens.

we all only a couple of wrong turns from bein on the street with nowt, i sold the big issue in the past, its very easy to criticise when things are goin well. see how judgemental you are if you lose everything.

Hi John, agree with that, best thing i've read all day.