New Forest DEAN

Thats the lot - the front half of that pile is mine (the stuff just visible immediately behind is the neighbours - a 26 tonne artic load split evenly between us - it's a bit bigger than it looks because the picture was taken from above). The question is - will an electric chainsaw be good enough for ringing three or four 8-foot logs at a time? Next question - how long is a piece of string.... Cheers - DEAN ps - I must admit the idea of ringing it all in a morning with a petrol chainsaw makes the extra cost very attractive....

I'm looking at this Bosch 40-19S electric chainsaw for ringing - it's only a cheapo saw (about £110): AKE 40-19 S - Chainsaw - Bosch Garden Tools This should be a picture of the pile of wood I need to ring up - the biggest is about 18inches in diameter. I don't need it all at once, over a few years. This is where you all tell me to get a petrol saw instead..... Any thoughts? Cheers - DEAN.

Hi All I've just taken delivery of a load of uncut oak (been felled a year apparently), which I need to get in a burnable state by this winter. I'm thinking of buying a cheapo polytunnel to speed things along - 6x3x2m high. Only problem - space restrictions mean I can only put it in a dip area, facing south-east / north-west, against some trees. So its protected from wind and in a damp area. It does have both end doors and vents at mid-height on the sides. Any thoughts / tips? Cheers all - DEAN.

New on here, but thought I'd pitch in. Just remember this forum is also public domain as well, much like the paper. Thus the guy is at liberty to use it to strengthen his 'argument' (it works both ways). So, 1. Lots of supportive and professional responses from arb', forestry and fuel specialists will help your argument. 2. Petty threats of violence most certainly will not and will be one part they will focus on. You will be guilty by association in any follow up report. As someone who has recently been introduced to the vagaries of buying firewood, I can sympathise anyone in the same boat -'load', '1/2 load', 'cube', 'tonne', 'tonne-bag', '2 tonne tipper / trailer', 'cord' (8 or 10 foot?), 'round', 'rings', 'seasoned', 'unseasoned (but good for burning)', 'hardwood', 'mixed-hardwood', 'softwood', 'offcuts' ...........these are all terms that have been quoted to me. For a country obsessed with weights & measures (look at the head on my pint!), this doesn't sit well with the 'public'. As an intelligent person (with a family history of farm, wood working etc), it didn't take me too much research to realise what the terms meant and how much they were being manipulated (fairly or unfairly) by log suppliers. My first delivery of a 'load' of 'seasoned', 'mixed hardwood' for £60 was 50% 2inches in diameter and fizzled when lit, spewing out water. But, his article is about whether it is economical to heat with wood.. Thus, taking a pop at ONE DELIVERY is just bad research. Where is his comparison? He wisely doesn't name you (avoiding libel - just how far is 'local'?), but like you say, you may get implicated. I agree that getting legal or snotty won't help (unless pushed further). Writing an advice column on how to buy firewood will help. Hope it works out - DEAN.

Where abouts? (roughly)

Hopefully my last question on chainsaws before I buy one.... 99% of my firewood ringing will be within 10m of an electrical outlet at home. From what I understand, some of the electric chainsaws are good - just as powerful, safer, less maintenance, more consistant performance...just plug in and go. For the possible 1% where I may need to do other cutting, I can either borrow a mate's petrol saw (or use a little petrol generator for the 240V supply). I will not need to be climbing trees or doing any complicated stuff - only ever fetching and ringing ground logs for firewood. Is this a daft idea? Cheers - DEAN.

I can get a new 445 with 15inch bar for £350. I know the 365 is good, but over £500 (over £400) seems a bit steep for a firewood saw that will only be ringing about 5 tonnes a year? Thanks for the info. DEAN.

Me again Given the feedback that a 435 may be a bit under powered fro cutting up 12 - 18 inch logs for firewood, I'm now looking at a 445. What's the opinion on these? reviews elsewhere seem good and the prices is generally sub £400 new. Any opinions appreciated. Cheers - DEAN.

Sorry to hijack your thread, but I've just looked at a 'Rancher 50 1998' (at least thats what the fella in the local garden tools shop says it is) that they took part-ex'. It has an 18 inch bar. I know very little about engines, but he said the compression felt good with a pull on the starter - it was a relatively stiff pull Looks a bit tired, but they will fully service it for me. They want £145, with a 3 month warrantee. Does this sound good? DEAN.

No worries Stubby - I have a mate who's a tree surgeon who is willing to give me some lessons. Dean.

Absolutely no offence taken whatsoever - I have very thick skin and a terrible sense of humour. The more info' the better, whether PPE, handling skills, models etc - it's all good. The search so far on the models recommended... Husky 365 are over £500, so too expensive. Stihl 026 1999 16inch £275 Stihl 346XPG 14inch 2006 £275 Stihl MS270 2005 16inch £300 I must say that the 435 is still looking good as £280 will get me a new one.

Thanks again - will look the other models mentioned. I wasn't going to bother with PPE or training - a few weeks ago my neighbour fell 15 foot onto his chainsaw, with no PPE and, despite some bad injuries, lots of blood, and a free helicopter ride, he's sort of all right now (I had to do the first aid). I figure, if he got away with it, then so can I....... DEAN. ps - I am an idiot, by the way.

The max' size would be 18 inches, but I suspect the bulk of the logs would be 12 inches in diameter. From what I understand, trees are thicker at the bottom and thinner at the top...... As far as chain sharpening, imagine you are talking to an idiot... Anyone want to sell a 346? Cheers - DEAN.

Cheers for the welcome. That seems to be two very different opinions? Also a 346 is the best part of £500, whereas the 435 is £290. Is it really too underpowered to do the amount of cutting I need? I don't need it for continuous professional use. Any other opinions? DEAN.

Hi All Very new to the world of chainsaws and I'm looking to buy my first one for firewood chopping - probably about 5 tonnes a year, 12 - 18 inches in diameter. Despite some very economical Draper and Mountfeild saws, I have found a new Husky' 435 for £290 inc' a spare chain. Is this a good saw? Any advice welcomed. Cheers - DEAN.

Cheers all thanks for the answers. Looks like second hand Stihl or Husk' is the way to go, evn with servicing etc. DEAN.

I suspect that this is one of the most common questions asked on here, but it's a busy forum, so I'm not sure I could trawl back through for the answer... Anyway - I'm a first time chainsaw use and I need to cut up about 4-5 tonnes of wood a year, say, 12-18 inches in diameter (for splitting). I don't think that's a lot of, compared to a tree surgeon. Can I get away with a £100 chainsaw (KIAM?) instead of £450 (Husq' 346?), or an £80 electric. I know which is better, but which is most cost effective, with servicing etc, even if it needs replacing occassionally? Any help appreciated. Cheers - DEAN.

Cheers Robied PM sent. Let me know what you can do? Cheers - DEAN.

Hi All I'm new on here, so hello to everyone. I'm trying to find someone who can supply and deliver a large load of un-chopped / un-split hardwood logs, say, an artic lorry load (which I think is around 27 tonnes, usually 8-12 foot lengths, preferably max' 18inches in diameter). I will be chopping and splitting myself for my wood-fired heating. Does anyone know who can supply logs in such bulk, delivered to the south of the New Forest? Cheers all - DEAN.