knight6m

Doesn't mean that everyone looks like him!! haha!!:001_tt2:

Does that mean you don't?

When did English people all look like Charlie Chaplin!! haha!!

Chaplin was English

Charlie Chaplin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tom, I just finished the 9 week course at Merrist Wood. Some of the guys bought climbing kit quite early on but were not allowed to use it, an issue with liability and insurance I believe.

The blood thirsty among us can google "Canadian Snipers Afghanistan". Not for the squeemish or after a meal, you are warned.

Do they cut in a straight line though, thought they looked a bit hitty missy when they hit knots etc ?

Yes if you are careful- use a short blade, I have found a tendancy to wander increases with blade length, they are also designed with a foot which helps to steady the saw, during the cut, bit like a small jigsaw base on a big blade.

I bought a cheap (£40ish) homebase special a coupl of years ago to cut old railway sleepers. Ditch the blades that come with it and get Pirhana ones, I bullied my way through about a dozen full thickness cuts to make some raised - no issues. Not the fastest way to cut big lumps of timber but sleepers are full of oil, tar, grit metal and crap. Did what I needed, ditched the blades afterwards used it for a few jobs since including cutting a hardwood doorframe out thewall to fit a double glazed jobbie.

Well handy in the right circumstances.

When I had to get one a couple of years ago I went here:

http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/

I was advised it was faster to get the certificate back getting it done in Scotland. It was a few days I think to get the certificate back.

Not necessarily. My boy made one from scratch when he was 12. Potatoes literally vapourised against an oak when fired from 40 yards and he could do that time and again. I did have to limit its use though because it sounded like a 12 bore going off.

He was using a mixture of lighter fuel and cheap underarm.

Cool, could there be a market for throw bag launchers here?

I have no idea what that launcher was.

 

But I want one really badly.

It looks like a butane powered spud gun made from PVC pipe and a spark unit, quite clever really although I suspect accuracy may be an issue.

check this out:

[ame]

Grumpydave, I start at Merrist Wood on the 22 Feb for resettlement and will leave the Navy after 27 years in September so I may have some idea of how you feel - to be honest I cant wait to get started either, good luck, I hope you have as much success as I would like for me:thumbup:

You are Mad totally and utterly barking, but thats helps in this game, good on ya, i think you will love it:thumbup1:

Thanks IC.

hi gumbo,

i took up full time tree work at 42, i still climb most days. i'm 54 in january

Now I feel better, I start at Merrist Wood in two weeks, I'll be 44 while I'm there. People keep telling me I am mad.

Andy, the physical addiction to nicotine lasts 24 hours - after that it is psychological and all in your head. My neighbour gave me a box of patches to try and 8.5 years later I have, while plastered, lit one cigarette which made me chuck and I gave it back. You do need to think yourself out of it, and be careful not to substitute smoking with anything else. Smoking is a hand to mouth action that becomes a habit, so is eating, I gained 3 stone to prove it.

A quick chat with some of the charities may help still, nothng ventured nothing gained, with less than 5 years in I guess you got no or little resettlement help. Tried the CTP for any advice?

Cheers for the quick replies, yes ill join the FCA and see what i can find. Just looking for any tree work really - forestry/tree surgery. Just need to find some money some where to get the basic tickets. Does anyone know if you can get funding at all?

How "ex-forces" are you? and how long did you do?, if you qualified for enhanced learning credits you could possibly pull in 2k and go to kingswood training who do the basic tickets and a level3 business module that is what qualifies for the ELC, Kingswood do alot of resettlement courses. Some of the service charities help with business/training advice and may put you onto more funding.

't aint funny just cycled 12.5 miles around Portsmouth Harbour in it, something of a challenge it must be said.

Andy, i've sent you a PM..... please get in touch.

 

Cheers

Done, PM with e-mail,

But at 40+ you will soon realise that your climbing days are over , Jack Kenyon is coming up to retirement age and can still run rings round any of the guys on the course and in fact most of the lecturers - Zack does not like to climb in case he gets dirty or messes up the hair do

CTS, I dont plan climbing for too long- hence the oldest son option, he might not be bright but he is good with heavy weights. Joking aside, I know my climbing days will probably be few if I am realistic. Anyway how many people want to climb trees at 50+?

Andy, don't get me wrong........ I hold Merrist wood in the highest regard! I took the NCH Arb there myself back in 94/95, and Jack Kenyon is probably one of the most knowledgeable lecturers that the industry has.

 

As for your age (you mention 40+), just remember that there's more than one way to skin a cat...... ie, you don't have to be a groundie or even a climber to get into Arb. There's always Surveying/Contract management etc, and with things like Adult Learning Grants, you may find you'll be eligable to take a more dedicated academic qual. that might serve you better in the long run.

 

Just don't go thinking that the course will be a "quick fix". It won't be!

Andy,

I realise this is no quick fix. I have, most current, a management/ HR background and access to £6000 of further educational funding over the next 10 years (I think), for me this is primarily foot in the door kind of stuff which then allows me to get employment and decide which way to go next. The ultimate aim is own business with oldest son. I intend to get him educated/ trained also.

The Tree Climbers Companion, £12-95 on flea-bay - job done.

Some course detail is here:

(Tree Surgery for Craftsmen)

 

I would recommend The Tree Climbers Companion by Jeff Jepson or Jephson, a small but very informative book. Trees in Britain by Roger Phillips ( all hail) is a must IMO.

Waiting delivery of Trees in Britain, about to go and find The Tree Climbers Companion, thanks for the steer dryadude.

enjoy the course at merrist wood , i really did . i think the structure of the course is verry different to when i was there and the need for experience is no longer required , the handouts and info that jack kenyon will give you is over and above whats needed , i ended up with a big folder full of handouts that we did not need for the course but that were intersting to some of us .

Thanks CTS, Merrist Wood was recommended to me by a mate of a mate who runs a business out Eastbourne way in Sussex, he said I would learn a lot more than I might need but as I see it all knowledge is good.

As an ex lecturer that has taught this course (albeit at a different college), the best advice I could give you is........ Don't do it!

 

I'm guessing that the course you're talking of, is the C&G Phase II? If so, the course isn't really geared up for "newbies" (no offence meant). It was developed yeeeeeeeeers ago, for people that had shed loads of experience but no academic Arb qual.

 

If you really want to get the best out of the course, do a year or so on the tools first, THEN go to college and do the course.

 

 

Sorry if that goes against the grain, but honesty's always the better policy.

Andy,

Thanks for the frank response, as far as I can tell this is OCN in Arboriculture, and the basic NPTC tickets

(Tree Surgery for Craftsmen)

At 40+ time is not on my side so I need to make like a vacuum cleaner and suck up as much knowledge as possible, as fast as possible. I will be canvassing you guys for some work experience later in the year IOT start the consolidation of learning process, I then intend to continue part time study whilst in employment to build skills, knowledge etc.

I know that this is not the easiest way to do this especially in the current climate but who is going to take on a 40+groundie with no prior knowledge/experience?

HAve you got HGV tickets? If not try and get them before you leave, they will be worth as much to you as any chainsaw tickets!

Not got HGV1, got an old licence with the C1 C+E (3500 - 7500kg)+trailers etc.

Probably left it too late to get HGV1 now.

Gents,

As a soon to be ex-serviceman I am off to Merrist Wood in February to do the now 9 week course, any advice, recommended pre-reading will be gratefully received. Already working on improving my tree recogniton any thing else I need to get on top off early?

Thanks in advance,