Big T

Hi, I have just booked my place to do my CS30/31, I currently have an MS 171 but I will need a saw that runs a 15" bar to complete the felling bit of the CS31. Cash is tight so im looking for a saw to do this but I would rather buy an older "Pro" saw than something newer that isnt as well built as I hate buying things twice! Does anyone have anything kicking around in the back of their workshop?? Max budget is about £100, I know im asking alot but if someone could help me out then it would be greatly appreciated! Regards Anthony.

Thanks!

Yeah, its prob not the best time of the year to be asking but hopefully persistance will pay off! Should hopefully be doing my CS30/31 this month so that might help!:)

Bump!

Thanks for the replies! Looks like I might go for the 55 then as im looking for something to do my cs30/31 with as my little (dont laugh) MS171 wont take a 15" bar. Funds are tight, I would love an MS260 / 026 but they are too expensive so it looks like the husky fits the bill! Regards, Anthony.

Hiya, Does anyone have experience of a husky 55?? Any opinions? Regards, Anthony.

Pm Sent

Lego is fair game! lol!

Yeah it came out really flat and smooth! Under this serious exterior were all still kids at heart!

Twin Airbags?????????

Yeah, its interesting and a good laugh! Its wierd, as a kid I was told to stay away from rail lines, now its "crack on and get stuck in"!

Boredom personified here!

I voulinteer most Sundays and a few odd days here and there at the Helston Railway, its restoring an unused rail line so that someday we will be able to have a steam engine! Helston Railway Preservation Company Ltd. - Restoring the Helston Branch Line Its good fun and I get to play with big boys toys!

Wouldnt last 10 mins!

Ha Ha!

Happy Xmas everyone!

If there was enough work to warrant the traveling I would consider it!

Mig is fine for thinner metal up to approx 4mm, it depends on the output of your machine! If you do go for a mig get the biggest output single phase one you can, these will run (just) off of a 13 amp plug. Make sure you get one with a "Euro" torch as the cheaper ones have a naff spring steel arrangement inside the gun that makes the trigger hard to pull and will make it harder to get a nice weld. Go for makes like BOC Tradesmig, Miller or Cebora. Avoid the Clarke type of machines. All welding will require the steel to be clean, nothing a going over with an angle grinder wont cure. Avoid flux coated wire, its crap. As far as gas is concerned, rent a bottle from BOC, go for Argoshield, its alot better than straight CO2. You might be better off going for a small semi industrial MIG to do the thinner stuff and get an ARC for the bigger stuff and stainless. ARC welders are alot cheaper, will weld much thicker materal and have less to go wrong as its basically just a transformer in a box! You can also weld outside in the wind with an ARC as the electrode has a flux coating so you dont need to worry about the gas blowing away and giving you a pourous weld.

Hi, This is prob a long shot but here goes.......... My name is Anthony and I live in SW Cornwall, I currently run my own property maintenance business but im very keem to get into Arborculture. Im currently saving to do my CS30/31 and am looking for any casual work that I would be able to do. I have all of my own PPE and own transport. I realise that im limited as to what I can do but if I would be any use to anyone for brash dragging etc then please feel free to PM me! As im self employed then I sort out my own Tax etc, so no worries there. I dont expect to earn a fortune, I just want to be able to fund my CS courses and im willing to work hard for anyone that gives me an oppertunity and see where it goes! Regards, Anthony.

Help to get into the arb world!

I make quite a few Chimineas out of old gas bottles. To cut them safely you have to remove the brass valve on the top then fill them with water, as the water level rises in the cylinder it displaces any gas residue. You SHOULD NOT just take the valve off and start cutting as the gas is heavier than air so there will be some left in the bottom of the cylinder even if it appears to be empty.

Cant beat proper Scrumpy, the more bits/straw in it the better! As for pub type stuff its gotta be rattler all the way! just one of the good reasons to live in Cornwall!

That Magnatrac is wicked!

I accept your points but like I said, I wouldnt work for anyone if I didnt have another saw as well. From a self employed point of view the cost of replacing PPE etc is an overhead, it dosent matter if you are working in the Arb world or not, if your self employed you will have overheads, the cost can partly be passed on by what you charge for your services. The sick pay and holiday issue is the same, its all part of being self employed, rough with the smooth and all that, thats my problem as Im self employed. The bonus of that is that if I sub out to someone then they dont have to worry about any of that, they call me and Im there, ready to go with all my own gear. I might be slightly more expensive than someone on the books but they will have a saving because Im only used when im needed and there is no hassle over holidays/having a runny nose, etc,etc. Im taking the stress, NI and Tax issues, no job security and finantial burden on myself, again thats the self employed world! Im a big believer that you get out what you put in so Im happy to do this, build a good reputation and hopefully reap the rewards that this will bring! Its proven that contract staff are cheaper in the long run, look at industry as a whole, especially the MOD, while initial costs are more its overall cheaper. Just my opinion..............

Some good points here, thanks for the replies! I have all of my own PPE and a small saw, a bigger one will be bought before I work for anyone else. Its interesting that PPE/saws are such an issue to people, why shouldnt self employed people supply their own? My PPE was about £300 all in and the saw wasnt much, once its bought then there will of course be running/maintenance costs but its not that much! I dont understand peoples obsession with having these things supplied, you wouldnt turn up on a building site without having your own Hi-viz, Boots, Hard Hat etc..............