Shane

I must admit I form my opinions based on the things I believe to be facts. The problem is that todays facts are sometimes proven to be tomorrows 'misunderstandings'. If you read from different sources the 'facts' are different. It depends on what you read as to what you believe. Hence the healthy variety of different interpretations. There does seem to be an underlying rule in the space-time continuum of economics that says.... Spend more than you earn => Misery (or at least economic constraint) Earn more than you spend => Joy (and economic freedom) This applies to the family budget, clubs, companies, service organisations and even.... The Government. In the summary of economic proposals published prior to the elction, both major parties were planning to fund their promises by borrowing Zillions and allegedly balancing the books many years hence (probably when the other party is in power). Labour did dabble with the idea of a tiny rise in taxes (at some point in the future) but the rest of the balancing act from both sides was to carry on increasing debt and try desperately to juggle the spend to appease as many potential voters as possible. I will admit I chose to believe what I read (and I might therefore, by my earlier comment, be wrong) but I suspect both parties wanted to be as popular as possible for the upcoming election. My question to the politicians is this. Do you believe that the electorate is really so thick that it cannot understand that an increase in tax (possibly to the pre-Thatcher days) would allow the provision of the services we all seem to crave (health, education, co-ordinated strategies for transport etc.)? Or are you so scared of losing votes so you just keep buying sweets for 'the children' with money borrowed from Bermondsey Dave (who will one day want repaying). With such a spineless bunch at the helm I fear their ability to negotiate anything from the Brexit talks (or whatever they will call them). I am not wealthy enough to go private (so I waited 6 months for a shoulder op) but I do earn enough to pay more tax. So don't tell me that private medicine gives me a choice while you run down funding of the NHS Politicians are a bunch of....

The words of satan!

By the time I was old enough to have the know how, I couldn't, not no how.

Stihl have been good, but I personally have had nothing but trouble with the 4T engine. We dont even take the new one out any more. It runs OK for 10 minutes then it will hardly start. Many trips to dealer - but just a heap. The older ones are both stihl running fine. I was told Stihl cutter heads are all out of stock - waiting for an update?

It would be the down time that bothers me. If you are fully booked miles ahead thats a lot of shuffling about to do. Not to mention lost earnings or having do operate far less efficiently, and the customers perception, pile of brushwood to be dragged back into the garden for a few days.... Where we take our stuff it costs £5.00 per cubic meter for chips and about £9.00 for unchipped. Given that chipping reduces the volume to about 1/7th on average the difference in dumping cost alone averages £58 (63-5) per chipped mtr. - then theres the repeat trips (time and money each time). We all need reliability. Can't afford not to chip. Luckily my Greenmech has only had 4 days down time in 7 years. Can't speak for other brands - but I do my best to check/tighten bits every afternoon and certainly on a weekly basis. Some problems (like the roller isssue above) must be awful to deal with. You guys have my sympathy.

Show us the bark.

And there we have it. The broad minded British workin man.

I used to work in IT for a gigantic insurance company. One day, shorthly after we were taken over by an even bigger (and very arrogant) company based in Norfolk - I saw John Cooper's team reducing some large trees and stump grinding . I saw that as a fun alternative to all the political dung we were shovelling. Atthe age of 40 something I took loads of leave, volunteered myself to a couple of local companies on a part time basis and put myself through the CS courses. My colleagues said I was mad. But as soon as we were offered excellent redundancy deals they all told me how lucky I was to have something else to go into. I used my pay-off to pay cash for most of the stuff I needed, then just grew from there. Never looked back.

Really??? I think there is a magic money tree but the politicians, particularly the Right, would never have the balls to go back on Thatcher's doings. The dilemma is that the Left also seem impotent at the thought of re kindling L'arbre d'argent.

Freelanders are rubbish. Change the head gasket every time you fill up with fuel. Look on ebay - how many are spares or repair. I'd even buy a BMW rather than a freelander, that's how much I dislike them!

Maybe I should agree to 'sell' him something if he calls again. I could meet him 'near my yard' in the middle of nowhere and explain my concerns to him. Mind you I'm not really a subscriber to the 'Die Hard' Hollywood approach.

OK Felix, why did you do that? I did ask where he saw the ad, and he said he was just calling on the off-chance

I've had two 'interesting' phone calls recently (on the land line so cant see the number) and both times up to my eyes in it so didnt think of 1471. First one.. 'Hiya mate have you got a hedge trimmer for sale'? No, why are you phoning me, who said I would have one? 'Oh I just wondered if you had any for sale' No - If I did I would advertise it. For reference (assuming the PC nannies don't mind me saying) the voice was not Irish, Nigerian etc - just a bog standard working class southern voice. This week another call (sounded like the same bloke) 'Hi mate, are you selling a leaf blower'? Similar conversation but I was less polite. If it's anyone on here hoping to get a look at my set up, you can duck off. If you just want to buy something cheap, you can also duck off. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has had what they might consider 'fishing calls'.

For the philosiphers amongst you...... How different the world would be if semen tasted of chocolate.

Sometimes customers say such things to try to get you to reduce your price. Though they would not tend to come back with such an outrageously low figure if they were up for a haggle. NEVER cave in on price, if everyone sticks to their fair going rate then we can all make a fair living, leave the loss leaders to the idiots. I'm not fussed about losing the business of a 'go for the cheapest' customer. How can you even be sure they will pay you when they have such a cheapskate mentality. That reads a lot harsher than I intended but I'm not feeling too articlulate right now.

The seats are worth £400, bring it on!

Your reluctance to consider using a braked saw is 'admirable'. The image of said saw being used via motorcycle gauntlets is thought provoking. I have chucked in my views on the safety (yours) issue. I will not waste any more of my life on this thread. Just be bloody careful, we have all been trying to help but I give up.

The fact that you ask this question, ironically, answers it.

I hope you will give some to your local MOT garage, they are good to you.

She must be a right tart!

He's talking about cutting up fallen trees, that can be fun without the experience. Taking off all the side branches while the root plate is still attached for example while walking along the trunk for easy access.

That's only 9 working days since the test (including Saturdays) after 25th May. It's the 10th day even including the Bank Holiday. Get down there and beat em up. If you really care you can probably talk to trading standards or go on-line to the appropriate Gov site. As a last resort you could politely explain their error to them.

Cutting up fallen trees can be more dangerous than cutting down a tree. You mention being aware of the dangers of tension (not really the same as experience) - I assume with your background that compression is also fully understood. The issues and pitfalls with fallen trees are such that there are courses specific to windblown trees. For a self-confessed novice to start out with a saw with no chainbrake will not be seen by many as a wise move. If you are careful you may never get kickback (experience teaches us to work in a way that avoids it) but it is in the early stages of gaining experience that it is most likely. Without a chainbrake you are leaving yourself (no atter how full of common sense you are) wide open to a common event without having one of the best defences for it in place. I have no intention of raining on your parade and I hope to see a lot more posts from you but while you are learning be monstrously careful using that saw. If you were a relative of mine I would come and take that saw from you and lend you one with a brake. Assume each cut can go wrong, then you will not be taken by surprise.

Is hat the one where there is a message left saying 'HMRC are taking action against you - call nnnnnnnnnnnn to speak to an officer' or words to that effect.

Another vote of thanks for Jase, my anti stress sensor arrived safely today. Great service!