Joe Newton

The thread in question has contributed about 90% of what I currently know about chainsaw mechanics, which is only around 1% of what I should know! Like has been mentioned, if it were turned into a sub forum it would lose a lot of what makes it entertaining. I like to tune in a week at a time, catch up on it and treat it like an episode of a series. (My life is very sad). If people have specific questions the chainsaw maintenance sub forum is already there. Just as long as people don't retort to these questions with "read the what's on your bench today thread" as some people have to eat, sleep and work, and don't have time to sift through Spud's epic saga searching for one specific answer. I might add that I've noticed a couple of occasions where people have posted saying: "what to people think of doing <insert idea here> with the forum?" And it has struck me as not really being their place. A better route if you have an idea would be to pm a mod or better, Steve, and then they can decide. This place is run and maintained by a few select people, thus it is not a democracy.

Yup. Buy ten pairs at least, they seem to get worn out fast. Next time I might ask jonesie if there's a discount for buying bulk!

Bloody right. But today I lowered the top out of a smallish birch from the tree since the ground lad was chipping. I took my glove off to avoid burning the glove (they're useless for climbing once the rubber has gone) and now I have glazed fingers. Teach me to be a tight sod eh? I always have two pairs. One newish pair for if I have a scent climb, and another worn out pair for ground work, lowering, trimming eyc

I'll second old mill on that. Very close fit, and the grippiest I have tried. Mine only last a week or two full time climbing but at £3.60 a pair its not too bad. I have found that when descending, it's better to pull your hitch down with thumb and forefinger from above, rather than wrap your palm around the rope and hitch and pull. It prevents the palm of your glove getting pulled into the hitch.

DAMN IT GUPS! We've had that one!

What do you get if you cross a dyslexic, an insomniac, and an agnostic?

Something about a tailgate maybe? Sorry, they're getting crapper now. I'll try again tomorrow when I'm a Soberman.

Looks "ruff"

If you're not sure if it's dodgy I'd definitely paws for thought

Hmm its a fair point. I wonder how many people check for TPOs on each tree they work on.

Nowt against the AA Paul, at all. There are more general bodies such as Trust Mark, and Federation for Small Businesses, and whilst I don't know much about any of these bodies, including yours, I pride myself on being good at my job. Such a sweeping statement from the reporter could be potentially damaging for the local firms who do a grand job independant of these governing bodies. If "anyone" can be a member of the AA (as suggested above by an earlier poster) than how does that form any kind of distinction?

I resent the "most good tree surgeons will be members of the Arb Association" part. Why? It's insinuating that if a company doesn't have AA accreditation than it's no better than these lop and top buggers!

Mate, I'm employed and I follow the same code. Stuff will inevitably get broken by accident from time to time but if it's down to stupidity or negligence on my part I take responsibility for it. If my employer swallowed the cost each time I'll bet that more kit would be damaged due to simply not caring.

Get in! Reckon he's into the hairy arsed cutter type? My girlfriend will be upset when she reads my leaving note...

If they are the type of lads to get wasted on a work night and call in sick the next day do you really want them on your payroll?

Bang on. We start at eight, finish around 4.30. It's rare that we travel much more than an hour, but it's still work time. If it's a big commute we may occasionally start half an hour earlier, but then it's normally made up for by an early finish another day. I don't get paid sick pay. At all. But then again I'm rarely ill. It's amazing what you can work with when you don't get paid to be sick. My previous employer paid sick pay from day one. Most people there had at least two weeks off sick per year!

59 metres

I have a pair of well used bashlins, bought from a member here. I find them much comfier than the Buckingham ones.

I got 45m velocity and 25m xtc. To be honest I'll probably spend as much time on my arse with tea and rolly as in the tree so people are welcome to use any kit I bring. My kit is modest compared to some *cough* Adam

Haha I'd be up for a beer afterwards, maybe some point next spring a camping weekend would be on the cards for us midlanders.

Party at Max's?

Sounds like we have the makings of an organised rec climb Best get some gas for the jet boil.

Yes mate, just pop my name in, you should find me. I don't use it too often though. I've been itching for a rec climb recently! Hopefully there'll be a few different toys we all can play about with, my kit is fairly basic.

Max, I live in rugby, about an hour away. Like you I don't know anyone nearby interested in rec climbing. You got any good trees near you? I'd definitely be interested!

Just pulling your leg mate As said, I only use a throw line when I feel it would be quicker than ladders into the crown (not often). Some trees you can chuck a rope over a low branch, but many you just can't. Is this how you do it the majority of the time? I wouldn't have thought it to be very energy or time efficient (for me at least)