BigRedDog

Thanks J. I think the requirement for 3 phase probably puts them beyond me (there is 3 phase on the farm, but it’s not my supply), but thank you for posting up the info. Have you moved to another warm air boiler?

Google isn't helping me on "Ravex", have you got any more info? Are the fans to assist combustion or distribute heat?

I understand the point, but unfortunately that's just not an option I have with the way I'm currently set up. I'm very lucky to be allowed to use one dash of an open sided barn, but that's already at capacity. I have use of a small yard area but I don't own the site, and putting up more sheds isn't really an option for a number of reasons - current site ownership is not straightforward either. Buying or renting another site in my area isn't a realistic option, costs would make the business unviable I think and I'm not really interested in taking on any debt. Basically I run with an absolute minimum of overheads and I'm very lucky to be able to do so but it does mean some compromises. I have a relatively large throughput for a one man outfit, and there are a number of other issues that have pushed to me to this conclusion. Thanks for the input though!

Best heat sources...? I hope this thread is the best place to put this question... if not I can delete and re-post elsewhere. I'm seriously mulling over building my own small scale firewood kiln this summer - similar to some of those that have already been discussed. Basic set up - insulated truck body, heat exchanger & fans. I don't have access to RHI schemes, I’m only small scale (and happy that way) and I don't own the site I'm based on, so heavy investing in an off the shelf set up isn't really an option. As part of the idea I'm thinking of building my own large scale rocket stove type heat source. Question is do I design it to supply warm air, or hot water? The box will be fitted with a false floor so the heat can be introduced below the logs and forced up through - either directly as warm air, or as rads placed below the floor with circulation fans. I'm thinking water will give more control and allow for banking heat in a store, but then again warm air will be more more direct = efficient, and I can still bank it if I use thermal mass? All thoughts welcome. Ta.

That's not a wide tree, this is a wide tree... What do we reckon, on the deck before first brew, bit of stunt felling?!

I didn't know Jimmy had splitters in, I'll have to go for a skeet next time I'm in the Sunset City. The problem with sending an arb trailer is you have to pay for it both ways. I own a little bit of woodland in the UK and I have a plan for the best way to organise a load, but we can discuss that in person some time if you really do fancy splitting a load. I charge £150 for imported kiln dried hardwood, and £100 to £120 for a load of seasoned local ash, beech, oak, syc, etc. All including VAT, Delivery and Stacking as required. No shortage of customers so far. I also do barrow bags. If I get my kiln built in the summer I'll be increasing price for mine next winter. Fantastic afternoon in the rain humping oak beams by hand thanks to a certain freight company once again totally cocking it up despite the most clear and simple instructions. Thats the end of my business with them... All the best. Scampo.

I knew I recognised the tractor. Yes, price fixing, great idea, you set your price, then I'll under cut you by 2p, thats price fixing Manx Style! I'm sure you probably meet as many round here as I do who sound a bit muffled when they talk, like maybe their head is stuck somewhere I've got a 40ft load of building oak arriving this week with some firewood thrown on to fill the box. I'll email you later about maybe splitting a full load of cord. I think the biggest problem now would be finding it in the UK and getting it on a lancashire flat, cause you really don't want to be paying to put a arb artic on the boat! ££ Maybe we can work something out. With regards to pricing its not about balls fella, its about the realities of the market. We live on a very beautiful Island, but there ain't that many trees (that don't belong to the Gov). I sell a product that is dry and guaranteed to go like a rocket every time, and it costs what it costs. The only way to get cheap logs is to do it yourself, then people realise what they're paying for - a whole heap of hard work. I've actually had people ask me for cheaper wet logs, but you can't drive a nail into custard so I don't worry about them, my customers know that what they get from me is the best. I've also had customers try my stuff, rave about it, complain about the cost, then come back later after they've gone back to the wet logs and admit that it is worth the cost. I don't take any pay from the logs, just use the profit to buy more stock and toys for the businesses so I'm busy enough to keep me happy. Where did you buy your splitter local? Slane lhiat! Scamp.

Hi Windfall, I assume you're a domestic tree worker selling your arb waste, not one of the lads with the golden ticket government contracts? You mention that you had brought some cord wood, just wondered where from? I priced a 20 tonne load of softwood from St Johns last winter and came to the conclusion that I could buy at the roadside in the U.K. and ship it to IOM for less. But more importantly that the price I was quoted was going to make it very difficult to make a profit, especially at £55 to 75 a cube. There are some other small outlets for cord but as you know the gov and their blood suckers have the lions share. Incidentally I think you are pricing yourself too cheap, there is a rapidly expanding market over here and as you know a very limited supply of trees. I have purchased bits and bobs of hardwood locally but it is very few and far between. I really wouldn’t worry about people who can buy a cube of oak for £65 from a mate of a mate. That is totally unsustainable on the IOM, we just don’t have the stocks. I’m charging a lot more than that now, no shortage of customers and its only going to keep rising as decent reliable supplies run out. The number of stoves fitted means arb waste just isn’t going to keep up. As you know there are plenty of big fish in this little pond, and from what I've heard they're going to be trying to strangle the market since we shook thinks up recently, but as I don't know your name I won't say any more for now. Keep you're overheads low, concentrate on your quality and service and you have nothing to worry about - I'll see you in the field of battle competitor! Are you based in the south? Pics on the tractor thread look familiar. All the best, Scamp.

This street runs both ways me thinks... I've been wokring for my pocket money since before I left primary school, have worked for some very good people from whom I learned a lot, and some absolute *&@%#! from whom I also learned a lot, about how not to do things. At the age of 26 I was in a situation where I made the choice to start my own firm. A few years down the line I'm the worst boss I ever had, regularaly up to 100 hours a week, crap pay, but doing work I'm proud of and having the time of my life. As an employer I wouldn't expect every lump who walked through the door to be a natural. If you think you were at 16 then I think you're wearing rose tints. Eager maybe, but spot on from the get go? Have a look back through the people you knew growing up, how many of them actually graft for a living now? It's a simptom of the non-productive society we've become, which is a product of capitalism, and is the reason countries like India and China will have us all by the curlies in a few years time, but lets not get on to ideologies

In the name of science and fair consumer comparison I've ordered chains from two different websites today. Sorry Jonesie I didn't see your post re-phoning up till just now. I don't want to pee on your bonfire but one of them offerd big discounts for multiples and free delivery on orders over £50, which made them A LOT cheaper than anyone else. Will post the results and a review of the service when the chains turn up. I've also asked them both via email to see if they can find a bar for an old Dolmar saw, which should be a good test of customer service even if they can't find it. Back soon...

There's only a few pence in it for my chains, but I can't seem to find your online shop? Is it not up and running yet? I went to discountchainsawchain (Singular - No S) by mistake, I assume this is a different outfit as the prices are a few pence more again. Will you be using paypal? Ta Scamp.

Anyone used these guys? Chainsaw Chains It looks pretty cheap to me and is all good brand stuff. Anyone tried em? Scamp.

Don't mention those bloody elm, you're welcome to them. I had to go on the radio and smack down our political representative for forestry earlier in the week. Nothing like a good bit of political mud slinging to drum up business though! Kindlett I will get in touch next time I'm in the UK, if there is a weigh bridge near by its probably easier to fix a price and weigh it no? Ta.

Ruthin as in where the Blazers are made? Clifford Jones Timber? Keep me posted, I'm happy to buy it standing if you don't manage to get round to it. Got a rough idea when you're likely to be on it? Ta.

Hallo... Looking to buy some loads of hardwood for processing, preferably in the North West but will consider anything, anywhere depending on price. Isn't going through a processor so size and straightness less important. Standing, roadside, from a yard or delivered, I'm flexible. Looking for full loads, possibly up to 50 ton total or more again depending on price. Absolutely No Elm. PM me and I'll call you back, or send you my number or email. Thank You.