Puffingbilly413

Ah guess it depends on the contract and the small print therein. Just read the nationwide ones and they are as you say. That's not what they told me over the phone last time I hired from them. Pays to read everything.

I'm guessing you hadn't off-hired the machine before you left site when the job was finished? Assuming not, then all you can do is pass it on to your insurer with all the info you've stated here and then it's for them to pursue the other party as they see fit.

Most garages and repair places I've used tend to put something in their terms and conditions like 'parts remain the property of X until payment received in full'. If this guy doesn't pay then he doesn't own the parts I would say. Issue him with a notice that you are taking him to the small claims court - that also might be enough to elicit payment.

My public liability package has a clause in it that states we're covered for professional indemnity regardless but only for advice given that is not charged for. Chargeable work IE reports we have to have separate PI for. Can't see why garden services would ever need that sort of PI.

For that size you can run a 48" lo pro bar and chain which makes life easier - thinner kerf and smoother , easier cuttinf. Any larger and you'd be on 404 anyway I reckon. You'd need a 3/8 lo pro 7 tooth sprocket from memory. Bear in mind the location of the chain tension screw on a 3120. Makes it a pain to adjust when milling - and you'll need to do a bit of that. That said, if it's only the one log then maybe you can put up with that.

Having gone through the same route about a decade ago, much of what has been said is correct. Regardless of tickets, as a freelance climber you would be expected to cope with and have much of the kit for any job that was booked in for the day. On that basis you are only really a well qualified ground worker. Going employed would potentially be a better route initially as you are 'qualified' more than many, and this would give your employer the satisfaction that you are covered to be working but can be brought up to speed practically over time. Naturally this means lower wages initially but you can step up to try more complex stuff as it comes along, and those opportunities will be regular. If you were out for you'd be getting bottom of the scale to start but that could change quickly as and when you proved yourself capable, quick and safe. That could mean minimum wage for many but at least £120 a day on a freelance basis for me. Decent climbers are £200 but I've had to pay more for worse depending on who's available. Good luck with it all.

It's all combustion be it from an engine or a stove, no?

You need a nice thick Berberis hedge. It's horrible stuff and will deter most folk from pushing through.

Have you been distilling the cooking sherry again?

Hold on - last week you were telling us £220 a day was dog shit wages and you were leaving the industry...

Well that doesn't happen very often!

Artists charcoal - willow is the favoured material as the resulting charcoal is soft and good to work with. The wood does need peeling when green, so obviously more labour intensive but can sell for reasonable money is you have an outlet for it.

Found your new career then

Er - enough to make a reasonable, and ok only reasonable, living based on what we do. If you can't have a decent take home freelance climbing on 40-48k a year gross then you're getting it wrong .

How is £48k a year minus the tax deductable expenses of a freelance climber a dog shit wage?

Which is crazy. No way should it be that much for a freelance climber. Unless he's including other expenses that come with running own jobs IE yard rent, insurance etc

So assuming you're working the notional 220 days a year that's £39600-48400 a year before tax and expenses. I don't know what your running costs are but that seems a reasonable amount to me for having little entrepreneurial risk as a freelancer

Plus one for the third option. Why would anyone go to the expense of kiln drying wood down to, say, 15% for argument's sake and then waste all that by stacking it outside where it will soon adjust to the much higher ambient humidity? Sounds like the first company is bluffing its case and is supplying wood that hasn't been dried properly. As has been said, as long as you have reasonable airflow around the wood and your garage isn't itself damp you won't have any issues. When you burn your logs, open the door and check if you can see or hear any hissing from them as they get going. That's a sure tell tale that the wood has more moisture in it than it should.

Come to Scotland. Need a licence for one these days 😞

Yes you're right I would expect more given that there have been that many produced now - a shame as it looks brilliant on paper and from what I've seen of it (not in the flesh though). That said, at least this is decent feedback that can go back to the producer, after which you would hope future runs will be much improved? Plus, if you can change out parts etc slow time then presumably you'll be left with a very capable machine. And tell us more re the grant funding - interested in that but struggle to see anything available locally to me for our scale of business.

I spy a Logbullet - how are you finding it (apologies there's probs a thread somewhere)

Baker is exempt as is delivering a 'craft' product and under a max permissable mass of 7.5 tonnes according to the regs. Section 1.1 linked here: Drivers’ hours and tachographs: goods vehicles - 1. EU and AETR rules on drivers’ hours - Guidance - GOV.UK WWW.GOV.UK How the EU drivers' hours rules for goods vehicles work. Def worth knowing what our particular set ups are and how we sit within these regs re tacho requirements.

Plus one for turkey.

Seconded for Korean Fir. Lovely shape and gets cones early in its life. Can still be a bit large for smaller gardens though. Could always pot up in a planter to restrict root growth.