Shane

I'd like to see him with a stump grinder.

Well done, glad it worked out for you. It's all part of the learning. Don't lose sleep over these things, a bit of anxiety is better than over confidence - and we all get it sometimes. It's a bit like a risk assessment, think about it before you start and work according to YOUR abilities. Greater speed will come - keep safe!

You must have met our postman:lol:

I would suggest phoning HB before raising this 'in public'. I've always found them to be very helpful, as with all the suppliers on this forum. As others have said the packaging (time and materials) and having someone to go to the post office or meet the courier all costs. Not saying it doesn't make sense but give them a chance.

Looks wicked! I've (hopefully) sent a PM

Excellent example! Well found that man.

They applied to work for me but their attitude was too unprofessional - they sucked.

If youre having a new DMF fitted the question is academic really. A lot of companies offer Single retro conversions as there is a lot less to go wrong. I had this done on my 55 transit 3 years ago and it's been fine. Someone on here suggested that the DMF absorbs some of the 'impact' on clutch release so allowing for other components to be made more flimsy (sorry, lighter). So it may be that the crank will break with a SMF fitted but that would be a shocking indictment of the vehicle manufacturers' design margins. I personally think DMFs are only fitted because they can be made, and its a form of in built obsolescence. Manufacturers and service departments will tell you all sorts of things but I'm just a bitter old git. See peoples' references on the 'crap mechanics' thread or whatever it was called. LTPM - License to print money.

I remember my dad showing me how to make wooly pom poms. My son (and lead climber) tells me I've got my hoop and stick hidden in the loft. He often asks me how we used to outrun a T rex. Eee oop but we were 'appy im them days.

Why are you chipping this time of night? Must be busy.

I'm sending my predator back - gonna get bidding. Wait till my bonsai customers call me.

If its a tiny amount I wouldn't bother. If it's more significant, or they are a customer you're not really fussed about I tend to say something like, 'Shouldn't be a problem, just give me 5 minutes and I'll price it up for you - it's better for everyone to avoid surprises' Only ever had a couple decline the extra work - both due to deliberate overpricing. It could also depend on whether it would over-fill the van and require another trip.

Never heard of one. I would guess you could get an electonics wizz to make the circuitry, as long as you can use the speed sensor that is on your machine, the output is just a current to trigger a solenoid. The in/out wires should all be identifiable in the handbook - as long as you know what revs to set it at. That raises questions about variable settings if its a generic unit. Find a retired electronics lecturer and this time next year you'll be miwwionaires. Good luck Just missed Peter's post - there you go - looks the bizz

Yes, Python, thats it! I've sent you a PM Mixedandgassed - I've seen the ones that clamp to the bar, I just dont like all those guides. Prefer to do the angles myself (must be my age, bah humbug). Thanks for the response guys.

Cheers Stubby, I didn't search carefully enough. That is exactly what I meant. That filing vice further down the thread looks a possibility if I can't find an Oregon jobby. Thanks again. Shane

But it's better than being ripped off £100 by those extortionate tree surgeons.

Hi folks. This may have been covered but I can't see it anywhere. I like to sharpen my chains by hand (i use my leccy chain grinder for the 3120) but just prefer the manual method. I am fed up with keep swapping chains onto the different saws to do it though. MS200, 260, 044 Husky 353, 365 etc. all need to be on their own saw. On the leccy grinders theres a chain clamp which can take any size of drive link. What I'm after is like a small bar with an adjustable/clampable rail to take different chains and hold them while I sharpen them. I believe oregon used to make one and I've seen a stihl device which includes filing guides and goodness knows what else (costing £100 plus). Does anyone know if there is such a device available? My local dealer has an old Oregon one in the workshop but THEY need that one. Heres a piccy of the stihl vice which includes the clamp bit I am after. Stihl FG2 Bench Mounted Precision Filing Device For Saw Chains, ST56040007501 - Toolstoday.co.uk Any advice ? I thought about making one out of two old MS200 bars but I'd spend a fortune on decent drills to go through the bars before I start.

I had a good one on Monday. We were clearing up a fallen holm oak at a local hospital when I got a call. It went like this.. 'I have a fallen tree across my garden, can you come and have a look at it?' (location - about 10 miles away) 'No problem we've goat all the gear with us can be there in about an hour' 'Oh - I may not want it done, it depends on the price' 'Well we would have to agree a price before we start' 'Yes but if it's too much I'll just leave it, can you give ma an idea over the phone?' 'Not without an accurate description, it depends on access....etc...' 'You may remember the tree, youve done work for me before' (she then revealed who she was - vague, full of while-you-are-heres and I-though- you'd- take-more-off) 'On the basis that you only seem to want a quote, I can come over at the end of the day and have a look, but I have three more CERTAIN jobs to do so you will have to wait till later' 'Can't you give me any idea of cost?' 'NO' 'Why not?' 'Because if I err on the side of caution you will think I'm expensive and if I give a price that turns out to be low you will be disappointed that I want to charge more when I see it - it's not professional to guess' 'Can you please give me a range - I will not hold you to it' 'OK - if its under 6ft and I think access is easy it could be £30, if its huge and inaccessible it could be into 4 figures' 'Well what time can you come round then?' This went on for 5 minutes while my guys were trying to keep gawpers out of the work area and all the noise was going on. Eventually I told her we had too much to do, and I'd phone her back and look at the tree when I had a chance. I went round on Friday afternoon It's a 30 ft pine (12'' DB) horrible access so I said £180. Her reply was 'I was hoping it would be £30 like you said on the phone' I reminded her of the caveat I put on that statement and suggested she call someone else for a quote or two. She replied, 'Oh no, I've always used you I wouldn't trust anyone else' She then asked 'How about you remove the tree and reduce that hedge (3 hours work last time) for £200?. 'No - don't think we are going to agree, I really have to go I'm very busy' 'Before you go do you think I could give the tree to a local charity - they could take it away for free!' 'Given the size and location (and access) they would need a large crane which would cost at least £300 - I don't think that is charitable, nor is it the right sort of tree, nor would it look any good by Christmas' She looked stunned. I went home -

Make sure you have safe systems in place for the team, traffic, the public and yourself. When all that is in place you can concentrate on your job. Communication system during the work is vital. This may sound wimpish but think... If something goes wrong what is this going to look like when I'm facing some smart-ar5e barrister in court? Be careful, be confident. Sounds like a hairy start to your climbing career.

Marc - There is no doubting your work. The issue I have with this statement, and the Check a trade type organisations is that tradesmen would never give a disgruntled customer a feedback form or pass on their details to prospective customers as a reference. They will always offer a list of 'tame' customers. Just my opinion but I know a few tradesmen who play that game. The approval bit seems two pronged - to show a professional standard is applied across the entire company and therefore open doors with large companies who want proof of such competencies. An example could be good timekeeping (no NPTC cert shows this) or a procedure for waste disposal to name just a couple. Documented procedures can tie you in knots, but the down-side can be outweighed by the 'door-opening' benefits

The customer asked me to do the reports, he even emailed me his bit so I could edit it to look better informed. I've heard nothing (surprise surprise) and his decision deadline has long passed. I think the most grown up thing to do is to invoice him for all my time - he's aware of what I did. Whether or not he pays I will not worry. I don't really see how I could ever work for him again now - Invoice and forget (nice surprise if I get the payment). If he ever contacts me again I may well feel like saying 'This is embarrassing, but since we last spoke i've found some other customers who are able and willing to pay me a bit more so I feel I ought to give them a chance'. No lost sleep - well only trying to keep up with wind blown trees.

Just seen some to55 er on BBC moaning about trees - because his train was delayed. Well, who the hell needs oxygen anyway. Would be so much better if they ran all early trains at full speed and hope theres nothing on the line.

Caption 'oh bugger I've left my keys inside, I'll fetch the spare from round the other side'

Its a bit wet here, and starting to blow. Monday's customers primed that they may have to wait... Saws sharpened... Vehicles filled.... Pile of blank risk assessments ready... Phones on.... I almost hope it doesn't happen, so bleedin busy at the moment anyway. Oh well - make the most of it.

A brilliant wordsmith and a very clever man. Will be missed. 'Spittin in the wind comes back at you twice as hard' RIP Lou.