JimM

Interesting thread. Being in the Air force we have hand signals for all sorts, load/reversing vehicles, marshalling and/or loading aircraft. With several arms thrown up in horror at NPTC modules/college training, would getting the AA or similar to push a list at HSE to produce an AFAG guide be an option? I read these publications as guidelines and not mandatory practice. Perhaps a way of getting a common system published and visible across the trade without too much pain?

Thanks for the answer. Cs32 is next for me, where I guess the practicalities of cutting bigger stuff will hit home. Cheers.

From a newbie viewpoint... It's a Class 2 PPE bit of kit. Why jump to it from something like a 346XP? Bearing in mind that it's heavier too.

A friend of mine is looking at eradicating this stuff along with hogweed and balsam along the banks of the lower Findhorn up here. Looks like a nightmare in logistics.

I think I would ask the customer to give me written guidance as to the services located under where I was going to work. If they can't then you could always consider billing them for the search.

Autan works for me. Used it all over the world for the last ten years or so. It comes in a speedstick type applicator.

So who bought one then?? Grin. I did! Out of interest and at 20 quid it was worth a look see. Resurrected a chain that had caught a stone and its cutting fine. It's not perfect, but then neither is my file sharpening technique. It has a 3 year guarantee too. I'll stick to hand filing my "good chains" and use the machine on the stone and wire damaged ones.

Ordered a 346XP from Jonesie this morning after pleading with the wife. I couldn't take the slagging off of my MS290 any longer. To be honest I bought the Stihl from a local dealer at too high a price before i found Arbtalk, and before my CS30/31 course where the standard saw was the 346.

Spookily today's Press and Journal up here had this link. Hope it is of use. http://www.managehighlandwoods.org.uk/userfiles/file/Managing-Small-Woodlands.pdf Although its aimed at the Highlands and Islands, I imagine it will have some relevance.

Stunning piece. Unfortunately my wife now wants one for the garden! I said "Yes"..........as long as I can buy more saws!

Why type C trousers for the assessment. I'm struggling to find the paperwork that demands that. Are there assessors on here that can confirm that C is the legal requirement for the assessment?? Ta. Just about to send off my request for assessment and wondering if Jonesie is about to get more money from me!

I'm interested in how much water intake you're all consuming on a warm day? It was 20C and muggy up here today and I drank nearly 3 litres to stay hydrated. (with heavy type A trousers) I'm average height and weight and reasonably fit. Is this a typical amount for groundwork/forestry in warm weather? Thanks for the trouser comments so far.

Used these today in the heat and just about melted - Husqvarna Pro Light Bib and Brace - Type A. Will have to look at the SIPs. Not sure about vents though, its tick central up here in amongst the bracken. Don't fancy a tick getting anywhere important!

As Bolthole said, try Recuva. I've used it a couple of times and had good results. Best of luck.

Having just looked at Public Liability Insurance for myself, without a CS30/31 ticket, I think you are on dodgy ground. On my policy the insurance comapny are looking for either the NPTC certificates or the training satisfying LANTRA requirements. If you don't have these I think the company's insurance will be void if something goes wrong. I'm being asked to do jobs I can't do and I refer them to other arb guys locally. I daren't take them on yet. What's nice is that a few customers have said they'll wait till I get fully qualified. Play it safe. I'd check your company's small print.

Thanks! That was my thought having done a bit of reading on here, but being really new to all this I thought I'd check before saying for sure.

Someone's been throwing Naan bread around up here in Moray. Guess you might have lots of this but I've no idea. Taken today. Forecast for the tree?

That's why I thought a better single phrase - "Free delivery to most UK locations for orders over £xx" would work. It's truthful and the customer knows that if he lives in an odd location then he can probably expect a delivery fee. Get rid of the UK Mainland! :-) Yesterday's paper up here had comment from a Highlands MP who's fighting the courier companies over these surcharges and the effect they have on companies and their customers. More important to me though is honesty and good customer service. I want to know if an item is out of stock as soon as possible so that I can find an alternative. One arb seller kept me waiting over a week and a half and it was my phone call to them that highlighted an item was out of stock and might be even longer! They didn't even respond to my emails. Not good if I need it for a job. Compare that to Jonesie who phoned me the very next day. As I'm just starting out in this field having spent years sheltered in the RAF I'm buying my kit from various sellers to see how they respond. It's a whole new world for me and I can't afford to be let down as I try to establish my reputation.

Because amazingly quite a few sellers do hold to what they post on their website - and I go back to shop with them repeatedly. I'm an optimist. If a site is offering a delivery deal I'll look at their goods. No grumbles from me if I do have to pay for quick service. I was stunned how quick stuff got to me from FRJones. All I'd like to see is a truer statement up front from those who have to apply the surcharge. I don't think it's much to ask?

Where the seller can help is to not blatantly lie on their home page. "Free delivery to UK Mainland", "Free delivery to UK Mainland for orders over £xx". I live near Elgin. It's the UK Mainland. Although not in the Highlands and Islands (Grampian for the geography buffs) I have an IV postcode which saddles me with the couriers surcharges. So for many years I have filled in my order for goods online, only to be greeted with the inevitable charges when I come to pay. How do the phrases above sit with the Trades Descriptions Act/Sale of Goods I wonder, when you choose to bill me even more. If you use those phrases I expect you deliver to ME for free. Did you use an asterisk to highlight the small print? Expect your purchaser to hunt through your site to find the extra pain your courier is going to inflict? As constructive criticism, why not use the phrase "Free delivery to most UK locations". Its truthfull and I'll be more likely to stick with your site. I often open several windows and fill in orders for the same goods on multiple shops. Then I get to see the final cost side by side, and ditch the more expensive ones who add the surcharge. So, sellers. Please don't fill me with hope. Just give it to me straight.

It's a serious concern. I was planning on doing the Scottish School of Forestry - Certificate in Forestry. Mainly to get me into the realms of being considered financially productive quickly. Now I'm wondering should I bypass it and go the HNC, HND, Degree route straight away. Or do the latter three mainly by distance learning where appropriate to cut costs (if it's possible)

Quote: "How any of us Arbtalkers have already benefited in some way/shape/form from the info that already exists within the sites hallowed pages?? (Quite a few of us, I'd wager!) Is it then really to much to ask, for a small amount in return in order to carry on the trend of the site providing assistance to others?? I mean, consider this...... would you have still benefited, if the particular info that you found useful had not have been posted?? (probably not)" Unquote Thought I'd bump this thread up again as a thank you from someone who is just starting out. I have benefited from all your inputs.