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Mine's the Iso Core. I tend to use it to half or quarter big or uncooperative rounds before swapping to an axe.

My 6lb Elwell's a fair bit bigger than the Fiskars

The Fiskars X27 splits well but I'm a bit disappointed with the quality of the steel as the edge of mine rolled over and eventually chipped off while splitting a couple of m3 of particularly gnarly oak. I ended up having to grind the edge back so the angle's not as acute as it once was. My favourite combination is the Fiskars iso core 8lb maul I bought from German Amazon for a good price (they called it a builder's axe?) and an old 6lb Elwell felling axe. The Elwell is sharp with a big thin head, so it either splits astonishingly well or gets stuck. Nothing inbetween. If the Fiskars maul and Elwell can't do it then I'll plunge the tip of a saw a few inches into the end of the log to cut a slot for a twisty wedge and bash it in with a sledgehammer.

I have some new 12mm polysteel rope which refuses to coil nicely. Can anything be done to take the set out of the rope, e.g. allow to weather, stretch it out and leave it under tension, wash with fabric softener etc?

I was given a book of knots when I was a kid and spent one summer learning to tie all of them (I had an exciting childhood!) I can't recall some of the more complicated and obscure knots now, but a lot of the simpler ones have been useful. According to Wikipedia the connection to zeppelins is disputed. I still like the name!

A zeppelin bend is strong and easy to untie afterwards. Zeppelin Bend | How to tie a Zeppelin Bend using Step-by-Step Animations | Animated Knots by Grog WWW.ANIMATEDKNOTS.COM Reliable bend, easy to untie after being heavily loaded but not, however, while still under load. The Zeppelin Bend employs interlocking overhand knots.

I took both a chainsaw and reciprocating saw with me when I went to pick up the pipe on Tuesday, but it cut easily with the recipro saw and fine metal blade. I tidied up the edge with a flap disc afterwards. If only laying the pipe was as easy - machinery would have made short work of lifting some of the larger stone slabs out of the trench, but it's been interesting having to improvise with a homemade crane, straps and a come-along. Cheers, Mark

Thanks for the advice. I've cut plenty of soil pipe and 4" land drainage with a hand saw, but assumed the wall thickness of the larger pipe would make it slow going. I'm replacing an old stone-lined culvert with 24" corrugated pipe as a section of the roof collapsed during particularly heavy rain in late February, blocking the stream. The water was lapping up at the house and threatening to flood my workshop. I cleared the blockage as soon as the water level dropped, and for the last 3 months we've had a big hole in the garden. Cheers, Mark

Hi chaps, What's the best way to cut 600mm/24in diameter corrugated pipe - chainsaw, reciprocating saw, jigsaw, circular saw or grinder? I'm picking up a 6m length next week but I'll have to cut it in half for it to fit in my van. Thanks

Thanks for the warning. For the sake of £1 extra per month over 5 years (length of warranty) I'll go for one of the two you mentioned.

Anyone used Matabi or Osatu sprayers? They look identical, apart from the colours. BUY Osatu Star Agro 20 Litre Knapsack Backpack Sprayer | Osatu Backpack Sprayers | Mower Magic WWW.MOWERMAGIC.CO.UK This is the excellent Osatu Star backpack sprayer featuring a chrome plated brass lance. The advanced design of this simple, highly functional backpack sprayer makes it very light. It has fewer parts due to so many components being built-in. This makes it a highly durable and guaranteed backpack sprayer, and at the same time ensures maximum economy.Three points make these sprayers a real world first:1. A high capacity eccentric pressure chamber with built-in suction tube, making for less effort and less wear on parts while ensuring a highly regular spraying. 2. A simple, highly effective activation handle which can be manually dismantled and has a setting system for continuous spraying. 3. Internal tank reinforcement via ribbing between the walls, making the unit stronger and more deformation-resistant. Package includes pressure regulator, protective mask, measuring jar, 2 spare piston washers, interchangable herbicide nozzles.* Generous 20 litre capacity* Handle for transport * Possibility of incorporating a belt * Reversible * Chrome-plated brass lance * Provided with an interchangeable herbicides nozzle * Fastening device for lever, lance and arm * Parts schematic diagram included * Accessories available separately if required - add £2.00p P&P - please call / email Matabi Knapsack Sprayer Evolution 16 WWW.AGRIGEM.CO.UK Mid-range 16 Litre Capacity Knapsack Sprayer Cheers, Mark

Both of my grandfathers served in WW2. One was a merchant seaman who helped with the evacuation of Dunkirk aboard a tug, and went on to make trips across the Atlantic bringing supplies from the US and Canada. My other grandfather was an RAF radio operator, captured by the Japanese in Java in 1942 and spent the rest of the war as a POW. He was moved from various camps around Java, then sent to Changi in Singapore for an unknown amount of time before being transported on a hell ship to Japan, where he worked as slave labour in a Mitsubishi copper mine near Osaka until they were liberated in September 1945. He never recovered psychologically and until his death in 1978 would not talk about what he experienced - I've managed to piece together what I know mainly from POW archives. I am aware that he was tortured by the Kempeitai (Japanese equivalent to the Gestapo) as, according to my father, his back was brutally scarred.

After reading this I thought I'd give it a go on my 501. Gauze is off. Is this bit necessary, or can it be removed too? Cheers

That's what I was thinking. Maybe rope or chain the bottom of the tree to prevent it sliding down the slope. I also think there's access above for a tractor.

Hi chaps, For a couple of years I've been asking my farmer neighbour to take a look at one of his trees which is hung up on the slope above our house. This is the time to do it, because it's lambing time soon and he's too busy (and exhausted) to focus on anything else. I think it may be beyond the ability of the tree man he uses, since the bloke took down 7 reasonably sized oaks (climbed three) in exchange for the wood plus £300 cash. If the comments I've read on this site are anything to go by that's a bit too cheap... I have no intention of doing the work myself, I just want to be armed before going to see him again. How would you do this? It's a Sessile Oak, on a (now waterlogged) slope. Below is his lane, beyond that is a 1000l oil tank and our house. Cheers, Mark

Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be doing a tour of South Wales' garage forecourts this week.

The thing is I don't particularly like Land Rovers. Any thoughts on new small Japanese suvs?

Hi chaps I'm thinking about buying a new/ newish small suv such as a Suzuki Vitara. 2wd or 4wd not important as it's only going to be used on the road, and won't be towing anything. An estate car would probably be a a better choice on paper, but I prefer to sit a bit higher up than in a car. I'm after something reliable, reasonably cheap, and preferably petrol. Any suggestions? Cheers

I know a former JLR engineer and even if money was no object he still wouldn't buy one their vehicles!

I've sent you a message.

Hi, logs wanted in Swansea / Gower area. I'm happy to collect from you. I've also added myself to the tip site directory. Cheers, Mark

Hi chaps To conclude this thread, I bought a used Dolmar 7910 in excellent condition from Shavey, which came with both an 18in and 24in bar. Thanks everyone for the advice, it's much appreciated. And thank you Shavey! Mark

Blake... I've run my good saws on Aspen since new, and so whatever large saw I buy will use the same fuel. Shavey... Could you quote me for a Dolmar PS7910 and Makita EA7900 please? If you have used saws in decent condition could you price up them too? Many thanks

Hi, I'll contact some local dealers for a price on the Husqvarna 365 and big Makita saws. Is the member called Shavey still active? I came across the Dolmar thread while reading about the Makita 7900, but it seems he hasn't posted for a while.

I am interested. Is that price including VAT? Any particular benefits of the Husky over the Makita 7300 / 7900 saws? Bear in mind I'm not a professional user, so long-term reliability and is much more of a priority than performance.