pleasant

do you help/work for nothing .....well, my customers seem to think I should.

Impressive as it is, I can't help feeling it's just another ego massager for well funded blue chip companies to move from the previous high status address they currently occupy to this one-thus leaving other previous developments empty or at least in gradual decline. These status bulidings never, ever attract new business- just fickle current businesses moving on.

Hasn't meant any technical difference in terms of the Stihl line-up for many years now. Like previously said- it's just a name they add to their saws for the American market.

Right- thanks. Apologies.

Sorry for taking your good name in vain- could have sworn it was you.

each to their own I suppose.

A few years ago I purchased a set of those super wrenches that are sold on Ideal World. We often get numpties rounding off blade bolts and we used to end up welding a good nut to the old. I looked at these being demonstrated and thought I would try them. I can tell you they are brilliant for removing rounded off/damaged bolts/nuts. Three years of owning them and we haven't had to weld a nut on since. Would certainly recommend them.

I would say that is quick given the time of year. Personally our lead time is at least three weeks and is increasing daily. Gardenkit (arbtalk member) is quoting 6-8 weeks We are getting more work in every day than we can possibly cope with in a day, so the waiting list increases. This is due, mainly to foolish customers who put their broken equipment away in the Winter and remember to get it repaired the day before they want to use it- no foward planning. Likewise we get shed loads of get going work because customers are too ignorant to read their handbooks or take our advice when purchased and don't run their machinery dry before laying it up, which causes starting problems at this time of the year. We ALWAYS have two weeks worth of work at any one time of the year- the difference to the customer is that in the winter it doesn't matter to them if we take ten weeks to fix it as they don't need it. Customers always ask me when the best time of the year to bring their machinery in is, and I always tell them "when you don't need it for two weeks" We currently are getting an average of 35 jobs in a day. Each service takes around two hours for each of our three mechanics. Doesn't take a genius to work out they can only service/repair around 4 machines each per day= 12 machines per day. Therefore for every day we are open at this time of the year we are receiving 2 1/2 days work, so it's bound to back up. .....and you simply cannot employ a dozen mechanics for three months of the year and then lay them off every time. I certainly wouldn't work for a company if they did that on a regular basis. Before you chastise your dealer, I would strongly suggest you check the lead time with other, similar companies first, as three weeks this time of the year is good.

Quote then like they quote us "gorjers" Be ever so polite and charming and say it will only cost £100, then give them a bill for 10K and when they say you quoted £100 tell them in a stern, aggressive way, that was the price per foot. (still won't get your money though )

Sold a Stihl FS56R brushcutter to a (mobile) gardener on Tuesday. Just brought it back complaining it's faulty. I said whats up? He said when he got it out his van yesterday there was a slight fuel leak coming from the tank area and the bumpfeed head had jammed. Took one look at the head and it was covered in crud- unclipped it from the body and with a firm shove I pushed out the bump knob from the retainer and a load more crud came with it. Wiped it off, re-installed it and works fine. I said to him if you are filling the machines tank right up and leaving it for any length of time in your hot van, then the fuel had to expand and go somewhere- normally through the tank vent and on to the floor. I said is it always leaking or just the once. He said it doesn't seem to be doing it at the moment. Which would explain it as the fuel level in the tank is now lower. Wasted 10 minutes of my time- made the counter and showroom floor filthy and I can't charge him for wasting my time simply because he is incapable of basic maintenance.

oops- meant Al-ko. But you probably guessed that. Same supplier.

Doesn't really leave a lot else but the ignition module although it would be a first if it were causing plugs to fail. But given everything else it would be worth obtaining a used known working one to test the theory.

Given the application, then an electric chiansaw is exactly what it was designed for. Low maintenance, quick stop, no fumes, low noise and reliable (either works or it doesn't- no half way house unlike a petrol) chains used are exactly the same quality and spec as equivalent sized petrol saws (ie 91vx etc 3/8" low profile 0.50") so no worries there. Like someone else said- get a suitable sawhorse and that's the prefect set-up. Would advise avoiding supermarket/shed brands as spares are a no no and the adjuster mechanisms leave a lot to be desired. If you don't want to pay top dollar for a Stihl or Husky top end electric, then other brands to consider would be a Mitox, or an Efco product- both very good (although I think the Efco is just that little bit better) I have experience of both and they are reliable with easy parts availability.

I have dealt with a few in my time as we used to be a Masport dealer- primarially involved with their cylinder mowers, however I have supplied a few rotary mower and as with all manufacturers ranges they have mowers for specific usage and can confirm the alloy deck machines are very good indeed. Robust and reliable, but the spares can be extortionately priced especially drive components.

Never use a proprietory treatment- not recommended.

Sure- that's fair enough, but there is such thing as false economy....and after all you did ask for a recommendation, albeit with no budget mentioned. However, it may be a consideration for future, like minded questions?

If the oil you are using states a dilution ratio of 50:1 then 50:1 it is. Most, good oils from Stihl Husqnarna etc are 50:1 rated. Cheap, generic mineral rubbish oil from Halfords, b& q etc won't have a ratio stated on the bottle and that's where people go wrong. No need for a "blow though" (whatever that may be) just drain off and re-fill with known quality oil and fresh unleaded.

Yeah true. And why does it take the man and the wife to come in and collect the part he's just rung up and reserved 15 minutes beforehand. Does he not take her out much????

hmmmm.... sometimes "customer self diagnosis" can be very profitable from my experience.

Don't forget the additional cost of the drivers' hourly rate, which is not reflected in the HMRC mileage allowance.

..and that was the original, factory fitted plug was it?

why?????

....why is it that when the man of the house has got a problem with his mower/chainsaw/brushcutter etc, he gets the wife to ring up who knows booger all and then relays my questions to him, whilst (presumably) he's sitting next door to her???? Happened four time today and in the end I just said "look, why don't I just talk to your husband instead of using Chinese whispers"

Yup- I'll make it up on something else.

....hmmm, wasn't quite the "french work" I was expecting to see when I opened this topic. .......is very disappointed.