Mark Wileman

Makita cordless saws are well made and the batteries are interchangeable with their whole cordless range. They have adaptors so that 36v batteries can be made with 2 12v ones, which is ideal if you already have a few makita tools (if you don't, I can recommend them as being easily as good as DeWalt stuff). The only negatives to the Makita saws are the lower chainspeeds compared to the Stihl/Husq cordless stuff, but if you aren't requiring formula one cutting speeds then the much cheaper price (as you can buy unit only if you have the right batteries) then I'd go for the Makita.

Hey guys, My leaving the military date is getting closer and closer, and along with it the responsibility of getting a real job! I'm 90% sure I want to go self-employed straight off the bat, ideally climbing but happy to do ground work also (the main reason for this is I plan on joining the Army reserve as an employment safety net). I've started sitting down and sorting through all the equipment I've purchased already so when April comes I'm in a good place regarding tax returns, I have a couple of questions. Other than equipment, what else can I offset against tax? Can training costs, books purchased, training accommodation be offset? What is the format of a tax return, I'm sorting purchases into machinery/PPE at the moment but would make sense to start filing things in the correct format. Thanks in advance, Wiley

Hmm, maybe I'll just stick to patching up my 038 rather than taking on a new project then!

Good article, I advertise myself as an Arborist, but purely because I aim to subcontract and not secure my own jobs.

What are you growing in each bed Mick? Do you just rotate your crop clockwise each season or do certain plants have to follow others to keep the soil balanced? I have a small area of 2 year old sycamore and ash saplings that is going to get cleared to make way for vegetables and chickens! I might use the saplings to make some hurdles/fencing to keep it all neat and tidy.

Spud, are there any aftermarket brands you can recommend for decent parts? Namely cranks and flywheels!

Also it's pretty ironic that a "no-one's posting thread" is probably the most active thread on here in a while!

Love the new layout, I used to just come here and monitor the forum but now the blogs/articles are more apparent I'm using it as a valuable resource.

Hi, I am looking for some Arb/Forestry work experience in West Wales over August. Available for work from 7th-25th August, I am happy to work on a voluntary basis for a short period. Level 3 diploma F&A, CS30, 31, 38, 39, basic tree inspection, B+E, stumpgrinder and chipper. Own PPE and saws. All I ask for in return for cheap/free labour is a short reference as I will be starting full-time Arb work in November. Please PM me or email [email protected] Thank you, Mark Wileman

First comment!

Yeah, the aim of this definitely wouldnt to be getting £500 off a 661 RRP, think of it as advanced an advanced airfix project! I might look into seeing if they do similiar for a smaller saw, same principle without the price tag. Then again I did just watch a video of some American guy who has 3 of them, and they seem to run better than well, it's obvious he isn't pushing them though: How's your friend getting on with it?

COMPLETE PARTS FOR STIHL MS660 066 CARBURETOR CLUTCH CYLINDER PISTON CHAINSAW Does anyone know anyone who's used one of these parts kits, seems a damn good way to learn how saws go together! And only £10 a month for 2 years for a shiny new fake 660

What a nice guy, I wish I took some pictures on my felling course, he'd have a breakdown!

Hi guys, I'm planning on enrolling on Myerscough's FdSc Arboriculture online degree next year and wondered if anyone here has done it or is in the process of doing it. I'm after either some resource material from the course itself or a pointing in the right direction for some worthwhile books to purchase to have a read through and get myself in the right mindset before I start. Thanks in advance!

Any links to the thread that made him rage-quit?

I think this is what Arborist was referring to: https://www.trees.org.uk/Trees.org.uk/files/5d/5d1f7bb0-68d0-4164-a65c-89e026ec71d7.pdf

Thanks for the info, those Airpots look good!

How would this have been rectified at the planting stage, by inspecting the root mass and ensuring they aren't girdling/wrapped up too much? The trunk is an odd shape considering there are no lateral roots there, it does look like it has a small buttress (prominent in the second photo with classic hippocastanum twisting of the trunk). Thanks for sharing.

Well all good so far! Started up straight out the box and been cutting all day with it on my CS39 today. Chain has jammed a couple of times (acts like the brake is on when it isn't) so I had to just drag the bar over a branch to manually move the chain and then it was fine, I think that might be more to do with the cheap bar/chain supplied with it rather than the clutch system. The choke is pretty fragile, I don't think it could take a knock. The on/off switch is annoying close to where I put my thumb when pulling the chain brake too so I've turned it off accidentally a couple of times. Either way I'm impressed for 80 bucks, I'd definitely recommend it to someone as a back-up saw or someone starting out like I am.

Please go easy on me! I have my CS39 next week and my 435 is at the dealers getting fixed and my only other option is a half reliable 038... to that end I decided (as funds are a bit tight at the moment) to risk it on one of these chinese top-handles. A mate of mine bought one for his CS39 assessment because of a similar reason, that was 6 months ago and he says the thing is brilliant. Of course he isn't using it half as much as blokes that trash their mainstream top handles.... but for £100? So this post is twofold, firstly: Does anyone have one of these saws, if so whats your opinion and any tips for getting them running better, other than swapping out the bar and chain. Secondly: In about a week I'll let you all know how the little beast has ran, this might even turn into a "The wee chinese saw club!". I'll caviate (?) the above with this is not my long term solution to needing a top-handled chainsaw, but I do plan to use this saw to practice modding/rebuilding etc.. as it's cheap enough for it not to be the end of the world if I do something irreparable to it! Stay safe!

This happened to my dad's 435, when we put it in the shop he said it was the coil. Definitely something to do with fuel, might be as simple as tweaking carb idle settings, not that I would want to mess with the auto-tune carb...

Good luck to him! Or shame on him if Kevis right. So are there any legit Government grants that are relevant to us (ones that you apply through, you know, the government!)? I think there are still a few sustainable energy grants that you can swindle her Majesty out of a few saws if your turning out enough firewood. What about small buisness/sole trader start ups?

Reviving an old thread! Forestry... I know the age old question is "whats a good day rate?" but I'd like to expand. Lets turn it more into, can I make enough to live by? Is there enough regular work? How much cube do people expect a cutter to be processing each day? Sounds like the work is short lived/temporary so are contractors accommodating to the fact that they aren't going to be getting the same seasoned 300 days a year cutters that where around 20 years ago? Does piece work still exist, it certainly seems a fairer way of doing things rather than being expected to either push out 70+ trees a day or not bother turning up at all.

I'll pay £50 more than what the dealer offers you

Thanks so far guys, especially Marc (who basically just listed my Christmas list).