Gnome

Good job. Hope you didn't use the mewp in your avatar cos that would just be showing off !!!

Like the detail mate.

Nigerian lottery for you next mate.!!!! The mails are getting more slick.

Have you looked into pantographs Ian, Love the fact your stuff is freehand but you could really boost productivity with either a straight forward one for drawing on the wood or a router one for superfast output. I think there was a thread about this before?

You could use a pallet wrap type material to seal them once they have been treated. Similar to the clear film which is used in grafting plants. This could solve the waterproofing problem. Don't know the legalities of this, but it should work.

A Badger smoking a caterpillar while l looking bemused.

If you have access to a polytunnel/greenhouse then you have lots of options. The main problems are low light levels and low temperatures in winter. Vegetables to grow in winter: a how-to guide | Permaculture Magazine Gives a good overview of what can be done. Good Luck.

If they have been like that for a while could be a late frost damage or wind. Make sure you don't overwater as well.

Very clever, thanks for that.

Great. Your right about colouring for kids. Have you got a plan of what you are doing for Carrbridge yet?

Bahco bypass, light and orange so I don't loose them! Any thicker stuff is getting 150'd these days. Anvil ones are best for dead wood IME.

Yes like many on here, a great company to deal with. At this rate your going to have to build a time machine to keep up with them.

Keep chain sharp and you will be OK. Wood is wood to me. Sorry to all the purists. The drying and cracking, splitting etc. just makes my work more original. Well that's what I keep telling myself. Listen to others on here that is my advice, i'm just a professional amateur.

It takes me the 7 minutes to get to work and pass a handful of cars. When going to training courses etc I am tense to the extent I have to give myself an extended tea break when I arrive just to calm down. I just can't get my head round how people can do traffic jams on a daily basis. I would be out my car and up a water tower.(That's not a recommendation friend!!!). 9 hours is unimaginable. Safe journey.

Might pop up again this year weather depending!!!

Barbara

Quercus

I couldn't care less about old guys wanting talked through machines, been stuck behind them in queues, while my time is getting wasted. Don't want fancy displays or branding everywhere, it all adds to the cost. All I want is to buy what I need when it is suitable for me. You go to the supermarkets now and there are self scanners because the supermarkets know some people just don't have the time. Regarding servicing, if my machines are in warranty I don't mind driving to get them fixed as long as it is quick. If I can fix it myself I'm not going to the expense of paying someone else to do it, not to mention having it sat on a bench until they feel the urge to work on it. If I have to visit the dealer, they should have everything I need in stock. I think they should get rid of the machines on display gathering dust and get their parts departments sorted out. Then you might see a bit of brand loyalty. Let Aldi and Lidl deal with the old guys wanting a stimmer. Please let us know where you are, I might pop in then and give you my money. Can't say fairer than that.

Thanks chaps. Hedgehogs seem a good idea. Been out in this heat clearing trees for a new boundary fence as I had 16 cows plough through the gardens. Not fun!!! Bonus is I've got more timber to play with Yaaaasss!!! Just need to find my hedgehog style.

Isle of Arran : Scotland in miniature, job done.

Heres some stuff I have carved over the last couple of days for our annual summer fete. All the proceeds from these are going to Combat Stress. All done with my MS150 rear handle. They measure about 18" high. I have already sold a few for £20 a shot while carving them. Was wondering if that is a bit cheeky. Don't worry i'm not after sales as the rest are for the big day itself. Took about 25 mins each plus a coat of ronseal decking protect. So i'm quite happy I got them done while I wasn't too busty cutting grass. Have a couple of stumps left same size if anyone has an idea for them? Something simple!!!!

Been using the MS150 Rear with standard 10" bar and chain. I like the fact I don't need to run the chain slack as it has a sprocket at the end. Was using my Husky 240 with oregon quarter tip carving bar and 3/8" lo pro VX chain(which has a smaller top plate) ground the heels as well. For me personally I now favour the MS150. Just lighter, more agile and more enjoyable. I'll get some pics of my handywork tomorrow once I coat them in Decking oil.

I would have thought that Stihl and Husqvarna would have people employed in their vast empires to have these sort of things removed due to their obsession to protect their brands. It is commendable that you guys get involved. I am a bit more in the darwin camp on this. If someone buys one of these machines from ebay they deserve everything they get. I like to support strong brands with my hard earned and in return like to hope i'm not going to kill myself with there products. Wouldn't by a car from a bloke down the pub either.

The amount of trusses just depends on how high you are growing them. If you were growing them to 6 ft and they were in a row. when you carefully lower the plants the new plants would then grow up the support 6ft along the row. No need for new supports. If you can white polythene on the floor helps reflect light up into the fruit aiding ripening as well as spotting any nasties crawling around (good for hygiene purposes). At the end of the season decreasing light levels is the main limiting factor so if you have put coolglass or shading on, remove to maximise light getting to the crop. Banana skins and comfrey leaves are all well and good round the base. I prefer a cleaner environment and using liquid feeds. Never overdosing though as that is like drinking to much whisky. Tomorite has always worked for me. I have used other pro formulations and tried the old wives tales. Tomorite is better balanced IME. Glad I am some use.

This is what I do, others will do it differently. Keep nipping out any new side shoots. Mist your flowers to help pollination. When the fruit has set get the tomorite into them. Keep watering. Start removing the lower leaves up to the first truss as these are no longer required. When the truss is finished cropping remove and work up to the next truss. If you are looking to extending the crop you can lower all the plants from there supports lay them on the ground and let the tip grow upwards again as a new tip will quickly emerge.( once you have cropped all the fruits). Depending on the weather you might get more red ones or else alot of green tomatoes for chutney etc. Keep the area free from fallen leaves, flower petals etc. to limit any disease. Hope that is what you were asking.