SteveA

Woodworks... your inbox is full! cheers, steve

In the scheme of things to come, Brexit is relatively insignificant: 'Extreme and unusual' climate trends continue after record 2016 - BBC News cheers, steve

Thanks Alec. I've tried finding ferretic stainless steel barrels on the internet but not had any luck. I have seen the 316 ones mentioned though. cheers, Steve

Tiz a funny thing, for some reason I have remembered the post above since I first read it ages ago! Why do some totally silly things get remembered so well? cheers, steve

I'm pretty sure some of the Turkey oaks have been hibridised in some of our woods. I've steered clear of using the ones with little heart, others have tell tale signs of being turkey oak, eg red bark fissures or Turkey oak ish looking leaves (but not as exaggerated). Far as I can tell the ones I've felled with little heartwood are true Turkey oak because those had hairy buds.... the ones without hairy buds had a lot more heartwood. Not sure if anyone has researched this properly yet? But would be interesting to find out a bit more.... cheers, Steve

I've not disappeared.... I've been taking it all in & trying to get my head around what biochar is. Thought I'd gotten my head around it; that was until I read Openspacemans post. Actually, if I admit it.... I'm very confused!! Is there an 'The Idiots Guide to Biochar' book?.... that's exactly what I need. I also thought Stainless Steel was just Stainless Steel; but I'm also confused about that (thanks Alec!) Is there an 'The Idiots Guide to Stainless Steel' book?.... that's exactly what I need. In terms of mobile retort, for me;.... mobile on wheels is best, dismantling and moving/ setting up at new location is second best, third (worst) would be something cemented to the ground. cheers, Steve

High temperature Stainless steel 316 has been mentioned in the Village Idiots thread, which should withstand temps up to 850deg C (apparently). I've just found a couple of higher temperature stainless steels mentioned here: Article: Maximum service temperatures in air for stainless steels They list up to 1150deg C max temp. Does anyone here know what the average stainless steel oil drum (205litre) would be made out of?... are the barrels stamped with the metal type? cheers, steve

I've noticed the same happening on the prevailing wind side of our polytunnel netting. Although we don't store logs in there, just grow flowers. cheers, steve

The way I see it: A wood burning kiln is used for producing charcoal (at this stage there is no biochar). There is, however char!.... charcoals are bigger lumps of char!, they just haven't fallen apart or turned to a finer dust. Crushing lumps of charcoal into tiny bits, turns charcoal into char! Biochar is what is produced by activating the char!.... The 'bio' part of the word means poo, urine or generally (nitrogen). The surface area of char! is MASSIVE and for its size can lock in/ or carry a huge amount of bio. In our case we're planning on activating our char by sprinkling it on the floor of our chicken coops & probably also within a humanure toilet (via our very own liquid gold/ urine). This biochar! will be added to our raised beds and compost.... at up to approx 10% The Village Idiots arbtalk thread, here http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/large-equipment/72283-mobile-retorts.html has a lot of very useful info in it (make a cuppa tea and take notes as you go cuz it's about 16 pages at the last count). Be prepared to be a-gasped by the technical info presented by Openspaceman! cheers, steve

Hi Alec I do recall your suggesting pit burning in another thread. I did consider doing that but I'm struggling with sending wood burning fumes into our atmosphere..... although equally, I do drive a diesel car and eat meat. My heads a mess with being greener than thou whilst not really being greener than the average person. I dunno. Maybe I think too much??? cheers, steve

I'm inclined to ignore the prices of the current retorts on the market because at the prices being charged, it's not even an option! My definition of a decent retort is one that is; affordable a profitable asset reliable fairly easily & readily fixable user friendly as non polluting/ efficient in the burn as possible mobile (or can be fairly simply re-located) I haven't found anybody achieving that, yet. But there is hope! cheers, steve

What a brilliantly simple device. RobD oughta stock those or something similar. cheers, steve

I make that a ratio of 4.6:1 ....was it hardwood or softwood, or a mix of the two? Keeping in mind the Exeter retort will return hardwood at 4:1 I'd say you are on to something very good in this kind of setup! (especially when considering the affordability factor). cheers, steve

Hi Beau, if you should need firebrick and don't fancy paying a fortune for them.... or want to make some of your own unusually shaped bricks, or insulated chimneys, etc, have a look at these vids.... Video of How to make sodium silicate (water glass): Video of Making firebricks with sodium silicate: cheers, Steve

Sounds like the best plan by far. Trouble with the limited number of retorts available on the market is that they are so hideously expensive, and as much as I've thought about it, I can't bring myself to going down the traditional ring kiln avenue..... would rather cut stuff up and leave it for habitat. Maybe, or they may be manufacturing retorts independently of each other??? cheers, steve

....and although I've not seen pics of their smaller vertical Exeter retort, it sounds similar to the Hookway retort, which, from what I've read on Facebook is about £3k to £3.5k +vat cheers, steve

I've not seen either. Received this from Robin back in March 2016.... I've not followed up for more info. Shame they don't make a smaller/ cheaper version of the horizontal Exeter retort as loading/ unloading would be much easier. The standard (large) Exeter retort is about £13k without the trailer.... the trailer would be an extra £few k's "Hello Steve, We can also offer a smaller vertical machine that will produce 25-30kg per day. It is made of stainless steel and the current retail price is £2500 plus VAT. This retort may be more in keeping with your requirements. Demonstrations for this machine can only be carried out at Exeter. I shall send further details as soon as possible. Best wishes, Robin"

That's yew. I mean yeurgh! Hope you had a barf. I mean bath! cheers, Steve

Exeter make a smaller retort and I think it's around the £3.5k mark. I'm also waiting for a quote for a smaller retort from Pressvess but got no info on that yet. I'm surprised there aren't more people making them.... I mean a proper retort, not an oil drum conversion! Whatever, it would be good to hear how you get on..... cheers, Steve

I see nowt wrong with that. If you want something proper to complain about try checking out how bad those petrol can pour spouts are made!.... and it's been that way for years. Which I think is nuts. cheers, steve

Have you been felling small to medium trees with that brushcutter again? tsk cheers, steve

Marvellous! cheers, steve

Okay then, no clues, hmmmm, so instead of a clue; I ask for a 'direct confirmation' ...."yes" or "no" to the following questions.... a) Will it be as long as a 6m ladder? b) Will it be more portable than a 6m ladder? c) Will it be cheaper than a 6m ladder? d) Will it do bendy braces? Cheers, Steve

Even a Chilaskan is leagues beyond that! I'm intrigued to hear about your new first cut system Rob.... any clues? cheers, Steve

Shame the Jimny isn't a bit bigger and with better towing capacity. I opted for a Nissan x-trail instead. cheers, steve