Paul in France

Thanks useful to know.

It's the adjusting screw mechanism - a threaded bolt with a differential type cog that you can't remove from the housing. As you say the part must cost pence and Makita have quoted to replace the whole tensioner housing. Dilemma - pay them £70 to get it back fixed - £20 to get it back unfixed or buy a new replacement for £100-£120 with a 3 year guarantee - or don't bother and use a bow saw 😁 and let the NHS fix me free.

Hi My Makita corded electric has a broken tensioner which must cost pence to make and fit but the factory want £70 to repair it out of warranty and I can't buy the parts. I've been impressed with it as I've had it for about 8 years but it's not done a lot of work and at that price I may as well buy a new one. I've looked at other budget corded saws and the Oregon seems to offer what I'm after - £120, 3 year guarantee to do occasional fairly light work close to the house and power supply. It also claims to be self-sharpening. I could replace the Makita at about the same price but am a bit p'd off with their repair estimate so I'm thinking of making the switch. What does anyone think who's used either or both? Cheers in advance for any advice.

Wish price of logs in U.K. Was as described- as a consumer they have rocketed due to increased demand and shortage of supplies - and that's economics - everyone wants a log burner! maybe the OP should up the price

Before resorting to the law why not just ask the neighbour if it's ok to do what the client wants - or ask the client to do that....a pleasant approach can save a lot of hassle...

If the LA has not followed the law or its own written policies it is at risk of a finding of maladministration against it. If you can demonstrate that this is the case I would advise that you write to the responsible Head of Department clearly stating your case and indicating what you want done to rectify it - eg amount of compensation with itemised account. Ask for a copy of the Council's formal complaints procedure and state that you are considering complaining to the Ombudsman but want to offer the opportunity for that to be avoided. Copy that to the LA's Chief Executive. If you get no satisfaction, write again to the Chief Executive, copy to the Head of Department, and state you will take a case to the Ombudsman if they don't settle. In all of this be clear and polite and request responses within 14 days and follow it up in writing if you haven't received a response. In the meantime you can try to discuss the matter informally with the Ombudsman by phone - how they respond depends very much on who you speak to/volume of work etc but they can be helpful and may indicate informally if they think you have a case. It is a hassle and depends on how much you are out of pocket if you want to pursue it. At the end of the day the Ombudsman can order the LA to pay you compensation, issue you with an apology and make public the findings on the case or a combination of these - so there is some clout to make the LA respond properly. Good luck!

Sorry to come in on this late but I've just seen the thread. I can really empathise with how you feel and have been there a number of times - so from that I know that I can and will come out of the anxiety phase. I've been treated with anti-depressants and have used CBT - cognitive behaviour therapy - the pills can even you out after a couple of weeks of taking them as they need to build up in your system - they are not 'happy pills'. Some will not suit some people. I found Prozac good but Seroxat made me worse. CBT is good. When the dark thoughts come I used to feel it was like a game of dungeons and dragons and I'd almost irresistibly get drawn down the bad dark tunnels. If you can avoid that and think positive thoughts and about things you enjoy it helps to combat the negativity. If there are real problems dragging you down as opposed to negative thoughts - such as financial or relationship problems -then you need to tackle the problem at source and try to change whatever in your life is causing it (I realise that can be very difficult and there's no magic wand here). The big thing to remember is that the problem CAN be overcome, even if you think in your darkest moments that it will go on forever. Other people have given really good advice on this topic and I hope that my experience helps to add to the pool of knowledge. Good on you for being prepared to be up-front about the problem and for doing something about it. By the way I would share your feelings with your partner - chances are she's already wondering what's up with you - and a trouble shared is a trouble halfed.

This is a guy called Mark who works in the south west of France doing some work for me. It's the first time I've ever watched a tree climber - it's a job I couldn't do - found it hard enough to watch!

To contribute to my own question I've just got hold of a small amount of horse chestnut that had just been cut. The rounds were about 6" - 8" diameter and they split really easily. Obviously I can't burn it yet but splitting was much easier than the unseasoned oak I cut about 2 months ago. Just my limited experience of course.....

Don't know ..will find out ...what's best between the two?

I may have the opportunity to buy some chestnut. I've not burned it before so how do people rate it as firewood. Also if you had the choice of oak or chestnut what would you take? Thanks as always in advance.

You'll be SCUBA diving with chainsaws at this rate. Amazing. Clearly the Council lads don't have your bottle! I was born in Sunderland and regularly visted Durham until we moved here last year. Didn't recognise the location though until it was identified...feel a bit homesick now.

Ty - I reckon you've got me in one - I have worked hard all my life in a variety of jobs but retirement to me isn't sitting in a rocking chair looking into space. I love working in the outdoors and as you say the hours don't really matter because if I wasn't logging I'd be mowing the lawn every day to keep myself occupied. For a couple of years I did a lot of voluntary work for our local community in the UK ranging from building websites to litter picking. I even did voluntary work for a couple on an avocado farm in Spain :001_cool:Opportunities to do community work here in France seem to be limited. If I do the firewood thing here I know I'm not going to be a millionaire but I'll get to meet new people and have an interest even if it's not a commercial proposition in Le Sanglier's terms. Good to receive different viewpoints - thanks everyone. Now about that saw - it seems I'll have to bite the bullet and buy a chain saw - got the PPE ordered and had some instruction......

I know - I was "chain saw averse" ... but it's good to have ideas and ambition isn't it ... perhaps I've just had the wrong ideas and misplaced ambition ...that's one of the ways this site helps me ...keeps me on the right lines ... thanks for the advice And thanks everyone else for your input - appreciated.