maybelateron

Some weeks are better than others. So this week the air con on the van packed in (electrical fault), only 5 yrs old and 35k on clock. Also the trailer circuit has gone mad - replaced the most distal part of the wiring harness on the Iveco Daily to the 13 pin socket as 2 wires were snapped due to corrosion. But no, that didn't fix it - the n/s indicator and side/tail don't work unless you press the brake pedal wtf? So off to the garage it goes, 5 yrs old, out of warranty and the local garage who look after it (who are great) said best take to main dealer as would no doubt be a pita to diagnose. Then the next day the MS880 seizes, about 12 yrs old, but not done a lot of work. Going to get that fixed for sure, as they are NLA.

Any "service provider" who ultimately charges you twice the initial estimate without any interim discussion is taking the micky big time in my opinion. I seem to remember reading somewhere that estimates were "allowed" a 10 per cent leeway either way, certainly a 100 per cent increase is way off this. Not at all sure this is legally binding, probably just more a matter of "code of conduc t etc"

Only real advantage to the Land Rover mewp is that with its legs down it is narrower. I am having to hire in a van mounted mewp for a roadside job with traffic lights because my mewp needs 14ft to get its legs down.

Nope, not Cheddleton. She was a Brummie, and she was serious till I pointed out the error of her thoughts!

Confuscus, he say: Sex and joke is same thing really - no good if you don't get it. Confuscus, he say: It take 100 nails to make a crib, but one screw to fill it. A lion will not cheat on his wife, but a Tiger Wood.

Not a joke in the usual sense, but this is 100% true. Had an "urgent" email earlier this week from the property management company that look after a housing estate (set in grounds of the old county asylum, lots of big mature trees). They sent me a photo of a 3-4 inch basal diameter branch that had dropped from a Maple, and asked me for a quote for "tree works". I decided to ring the young woman who had sent this vague request, and I asked he what tree work they wanted me to quote for, to which she replied, deadpan serious, that they wanted me to put the branch back and make it look right!!!???

My thoughts are exactly same as HuntingHicap, looks like bark 99% intact.

Or will it have that useful function of preserving the chassis around the engine with oil spray?

Just googled it. They are specifying 8 speed auto, seemingly as standard. I wonder if they could build in rain leaks round the doors and roof to make it more like a Defender.?️

Looking forward to hearing what will be under the bonnet. Also transmission options, I like my autobox Disco 2 for shunting trailers.

I'm sure you did not take too much off, going by the before and after pics. Looks like you did a good job. I always tell customers I cannot 100% guarantee the outcome after pruning - even if it is a repeat pollard on a really healthy Weeping Willow. That way I cover my arse.

Patios jetwashed

I feel your pain. Got the same carbon spikes, just soooo comfortable. Having said that I feel the old steel Buckingham pair do dig in better, but just hate the discomfort of them.

A man thinks he sees a cockroach in the kitchen so he cleans it really thoroughly and disinfects the whole room. His wife says she's going to put the cockroach in the bathroom tomorrow.

No electronics on this one, or the MEWP for that matter ?

I suppose one other option is to take some empty dumpy bags to the job, then carry tubs of chip out of the chip box from other work on the site and half fill several bags to make a big cushion. Or I could just install a skyhook to lower off. It's the sort of job I've only taken on as it is a regular and decent customer. Other times I might have put a silly high price in to deter further interest, or just say thanks, but don't want the risk of damaging things.

I've got several van tyres. Tried them once and found the timber bounced more than I wanted/expected. Could do this again but I think I would build a raised retainer around the "nest" as we call it that we would drop timber into.

Yes, the idea of (conventional) bales makes sense. Far more protection per kg lugger through garden than sand.

I have a couple of Poplar trunks, approx 24 - 30 inch diameter 2m above ground to dismantle. They are both leaning quite steeply, enough to make staying in place on spikes a bit of a challenge, but not the main problem. They are left over from previous low pollarding - no prizes for guessing why they weren't completely felled. One overhangs a very tidy garden patio, the other a tidy block paving drive. There is nothing above them that cam be used to lower from, and they are not high enough to lower any sections of themselves. Just wonder what other people use to protect the patio etc at ground level, as the only way I can see is to cut small rings off and drop them carefully. In the past we have used dumpy bags packed with brash, and I am toying with the idea of sand bags. Any suggestions?

Zubat 300mm for all hand saw work, with the exception of the straight bladed Tsurugi for a job with lots of epicormics to remove. Find the Tsurugi really good in tight spots.

Honestly guys, the VAT return is nothing to be concerned about. I am not misleading anyone when I say it takes me five minutes to do my return, it literally is. All you have to ensure is that you use an appropriate accounts software, and have the self discipline to enter invoices for purchases and sales as they are created. I use an accountant as well, one of the bigger respected firms, from when I was in a different career, and I feel this is money well spent - if nothing else, HMRC know they are not a shady back street operation, and I would hope this makes me less at risk of a costly and time consuming inspection.

I had to register for VAT 7 years ago due to increased turnover. My turnover is now beneath the threshold consistently, but I would not consider de registering - I agree with everything said so far in this thread. I was able to reclaim VAT on previous investments (but not day to day costs eg fuel/repairs), I think going back three years. Like the OP I am mainly domestic work biased. Customers who we have worked for before accept they have to pay VAT on my work, and I don't want customers who insist on avoiding VAT by "paying cash". If I sense a potential new customer may be this way inclined I quote them the total cost, inclusive of VAT, without pointing out my VAT status. If they look closely at my quote/letterhead they will see the VAT reg number at the bottom in small print, as this is a legal requirement to show it. If the potential new customer indicates that they know I am VAT registered and pushes for losing the VAT for cash, I play along with them, but quote the full amount including VAT then put it through the books. Try telling the cashier at B and Q you want a discount for cash?. If you are reliable, do quality work at a fair price to yourself and the customer you should be fine. Regarding submitting the quarterly VAT return this literally takes me no more than five minutes, as I run a simple to use accounting programme (Moneydance). Investing in better newer kit is also so much less painful when VAT registered!

That is exactly what my local Stihl dealer said about my BG 86. Never looked back once the older mechanism was fitted.

The Pope is visiting Liverpool, and a man comes up to him and asks for help with his hearing. The Pope covers the man's ears with his hands, says a few words, then asks if he can hear any better. The man replied "No, my hearing isn't until next Wednesday"

Having spoken to the Rock people at the arb show I was definitely under the impression they make them, rather than import them. May well have Chinese components to some extent, but Briggs and Stratton engines are not something I expect to find on a machine built in China.