Logrod

What was the goat doing wearing your trousers in the first place?

I'd try to get yourself along to one of the woodworking fairs that run around the country, not only will you see lots of kit to slobber over, but there's frequently turners working to show off their skills or push someone's machine or even give a demo and q&a. There's one in Harrogate early Nov I think but can't remember if it was a good one or not.

I see an exciting new business opportunity 3D printing air filter shrouds and bar scabbards in tasteful pastels and pretty floral designs just like personalised covers for mobile phones

I wish you luck! I'd check for public access to the wood, before I bought mine I looked at a lot and one of the biggest problems was public footpaths right through the middle. I felt kinda guilty rejecting them because of that (my grandfather was on the Kinder mass trespass) but it could make a huge difference to your enjoyment of the wood.

looks really neat but how do you check the strength?

I'm kinda window shopping atm, but might do that at a later date - hadn't realised I could, so thanks for the idea

I'm open to offers

I've bought a couple of new saws in my life including one just recently but I'm interested in trying milling and as this is only a hobby there's no chance I would splash out on a large new saw that might get used very infrequently.

I've been thinking of buying a secondhand saw from eBay, but at the same time I see a lot of threads about stolen gear...how can I make sure I'm not buying stolen gear and providing the criminals with an outlet? (and no I don't want to end up paying main dealer prices!)

Has anyone tried the custom fit earplugs? I wondered about getting a set for my motorbike but if they worked for the saw as well would be a blessing as I hate muffs (earmuffs that is)

I probably wouldn't bother with the sports massage, but you need to find out which stretches you need (the list gets longer as you get older - a physio I used to fence with told me everyone would have gone home if I went through all the stretches he's recommend for me before we fenced!). You'll need to stretch before you start, at times during the day and also after you've stopped (I'd add as well ..when you get up and before you go to bed)

So how are you meant to attach the end rings in order to save the £22 from buying the Teufelberger?

What about indoor wall climbing and bouldering?

I'm based near Manchester Eddy. Anyway based on the fact that I'm going to need a saw a mill a ripping chain (assuming the saw doesn't come with one) and a grinder/sharpener I suspect it'll be a few months before I splash out... by which time it'll be snowing which will probably delay me even further

Firstly congratulations. I'd advise you to go slowly, but I suspect it's impossible not to! I bought a forest 10 years ago (after I got divorced but that's another story) with no real aim other than I love trees and wood and wanted somewhere for the kids and me to play at being lumberjacks etc. All my colleagues and friends have assumed it's a tax break of some kind (I wish there was the need but no point in explaining that to them), and different girlfriends have expected me to tear down trees to make more light.... I'd love to build there (and I know how/what I'd build) but a) it's on the edge of the Snowdonia national park, and b) I still live (and need to stay a few years longer) near Manchester. It's a long term project and I still get intense pleasure just from walking through the woods or lying under the trees. The investment was repaid years ago when my youngest asked me if he'd be able to bring his kids there (he's 17 now) So my advice is to never forget your dreams but also to enjoy the now ... probably not a lot of help but first time I've ever said it to anyone:)

I should probably say I'm only looking to "play" at this initially so probably want to start relatively small in any case. I'd been considering buying a bigger saw but wasn't thinking of dedicating it to milling, but might change my mind now. The idea of sharpening a 36" chain though is still depressing! Throwing in another question: How many board feet of softwood or hardwood could I expect to mill before I needed to sharpen the chain?

Alec, Thanks for that, it's pretty much what I'd expected about my current saw but at least I now know where I need to go and can keep an eye out for a secondhand bigger saw.

What's the smallest size of saw and bar to make it worth getting a small log mill? I only have an 026 with a 16" bar atm, would that work or what would I need to upgrade to? Would swapping to a ripping chain make any difference to the decision?

If it was me, I'd quote for the one-off (felling etc) separately from the ongoing maintenance (If I was buying it would also be the way I'd want it). I'd also ask (in a letter or email just so I had a record) if he wanted the private work quoted for and invoiced separately from the business work, but then I can be bloody minded

I dislocated my shoulder badly 30 yrs ago, and didn't take care of it/do any physio after it came out of a sling due to work commitments. I ended up having recurrent dislocations over 5 yrs before I had an operation to sort it. Trouble was I hadn't learned my lesson and after I came out of 8 weeks in a plaster jacket holding my arm to my chest I again didn't really do any physio (again due to pressure of work). I can still do most stuff (rock climbing and fencing included) but wouldn't trust it to play squash or tennis and it's never been as strong as the other. The (long winded) message is if you can't get yourself to do physio etc before going through the op, it's probably not worth having the op as any recovery is going to be dependent on being disciplined with the physio and training afterwards... have a good think about why you're not doing the physio now before you go any further

I've two rockclimbing childs harnesses I was going to give away, that you're welcome to for postage cost. They're both in good nick, but you might not want a second hand harness and they were never designed for tree work. Both are full body : Singing Rock - max weight 40 kg, size range 110-140 cm Petzl - Max weight 30 kg, 4-9 years My youngest is 17 now if that gives you an idea of their age!

I still have my instruction manual for my 026 (as well as the saw which is still fine) which I bought 20 yrs ago. I could scan the relevant pages if you want provided you don't mind it in French?