WorcsWuss

Bit more than I wanted to spend and a bit bigger than I need really. The biggest stuff I will probably need to tackle with it are 4' to 5' diameter Oak at the most, so I don't really need something capable of knocking down a Redwood! If I can find something on a 20" bar for which I can add a 25" later for the very occasional big fell that should be plenty....

I've heard that....

Alright, own up, who bought 1 ticket off a strip then...?

Nice email from Jo at the Children's Trust as well. A good cause well supported, let's hope it's an organisation which as parents we never need to call on to assist us but that we can all continue to support.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep them coming though! Leading the way so far is an offer of a 272XP which is very tempting. I think that's about 70cc right...? I'm going to look around for an 044 / MS440 / 046 / MS460 for a week or 2 but assuming that none come up in my price range [which I doubt one will] I reckon I'll try out one of these filthy Husky things.... Not used one since I did my CS31 in 1999 so it could be quite an experience!

I have the Honey Bros strop kit [which for those who don't know comprises an ISC 3 way captive eye snap, ISC HMS krab, ISC swing cheek pulley, 4m of XTC & 1.4m of 9mm Boa]. Mine's assembled using a VT and I find it absolutely brilliant, one of the best things I've bought. I snagged my 11mm climbing line the other day so I'm going to cut it and use the shorter length of that to make up another longer version of the same arrangement. I already have a spare length of Boa so it's just the hardware which is about £41 + VAT from FRJ. If you add in the cost of friction cord at about £3 & 4m of rope at about £7 that would make it £51 + VAT, so the kit from HB, even if you pay postage, is still a good deal! Definitely get it, don't even think about it!

Thanks Alec, sounds like a good solution. Will keep my eyes peeled. Spud, which one should I be looking at? Mick et al, that was how I bought my 019T years ago. Problem I have now is it's not my full time job so I daren't rely on that arrangement.... do have an account but I don't want to splash 700 quid! Simon

That's what's on my wish list to replace my widowmakers.....!

Lean out, keep your knees apart [like bow legged!] & sit in your harness, hugging the trunk will just cause you to double gaff out and slide down using your face as a brake!

I was waiting for you to come along Mr Spud! What do you recommend?

There's some profit in this! RYOBI 40CC 16" Petrol Chainsaw +Helmet+Gloves,RCS4040CA | eBay

Now that's a nice way of looking at it! I say go with that one!

Unusual, they used to be very good.... ! Kit is still good though!

Or Pontrilas Timber?

Did you look at the Stocks link I posted or did you miss it on the end of the last page? Give them a call, they'll help you out I'm sure!

Right gents. I can't afford to buy a new saw but I need to run a longer bar in certain applications, 25" should be plenty, I might even get away with 20" most of the time but since I'm at it, to have the capacity for 25" would be sensible. So, what do you suggest? Although Stihl is my brand of choice, I'm open to suggestions. My 260 will still be my main saw so I don't mind having 'something else' for occasional big trunks. I don't want a 'domestic' or 'homeowner' brand though.... Budget, couple of hundred quid. Condition, mechanically sound really, don't want to buy a wrecker to rebuild, unless I can end up with a 660 for 200 quid! [i am fairly able mechanically though if necessary] In terms of size & power, I'm not going to be running this all day long so it doesn't matter if a 25" bar is right at the top end of its abilities. Not too fussed on vintage, would prefer any post AV Stihl but as I say, open to suggestions. Thanks all!

He's more than welcome to come climb with me but I'm best part of an hour away I'm out Saturday morning if interested!

That sounds like 'Stocks type'... the other type commonly used in the UK were 'Bettinson type'.... [which have the weld on lugs and the claws which tighten via the lever across the wheel] The Stocks type is certainly the more popular these days, not sure you can even get the old Bettinson type any more, welding into wheel rims isn't ideal, particularly with tubless tyres and high road speeds... Stocks AG -Dual Wheels Think you're looking at a D2412 or D2415

Sorry, I didn't mean as a free for all, the forum proper is for that! I meant you could establish a larger group of contributors, fact checkers and editors to compile and publish the approved articles rather than just rely on the existing mod team... I believe behind Wikipedia articles there is a discussion forum and only once the editing team agree that all criteria for factual accuracy have been met, does the article get published into the public domain....? Could that be done in this instance...? I guess a separate arb-wiki forum accessible only by the editing team would be easy to set up, it's just board permissions right...? The actual platform for the wiki I would have no idea on!

Likewise... find the curved blade can be awkward for clearing ivy off larger trunks but otherwise love it....

This year I actually don't have one. I've never managed to keep to one so I don't bother anymore, hence when I quit smoking I did it in November 2010 rather than Jan 11.... My 'end of last year' resolution was to lose a bit of weight by doing more work outside and eating less crap. That seems to be going half OK.... I'm still eating a lot of crap though... and not losing any weight...

Having read through this thread since my first post I'd like to expand my earlier suggestion into an 'ArbWiki'...! It could encompass the equipment encylopedia I asked for, also the tree species / latin names request, terminology, there could be pages for different types of cuts and felling techniques all nicely cross referenced in the same way that wikipedia does it... And we could all contribute to that then rather than leaving it up to Steve and the mods to do all the work.... The knot guide could be migrated into it as well I suppose...? That would be some resource!

I'll keep my eyes peeled to see if it comes down this way shortly.... Photo, distinguishing marks or damage...?

Ha! Nice one! You're way cooler than me then... I got Clarks slippers!