Who's scything at the moment, and what are you mowing ?

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Who's scything at the moment, and what are you mowing ?
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Woodburner

Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 2904
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 11 4:52 pm Post subject:

I was scything the nettles and blackthorn suckers from the area Mum had cleared last year, but the blade was coming loose, so I stopped to fix it, but one of the screws in the jigger that holds the blade in place simply will not budge. The snath and handles looks just like this one from Dobies except the snath is steel on mine, and the blade is a bit different.
Is there any chance of buying a replacement jigger without the rest of the scythe?

buzzy

Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 3708
Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 11 12:13 am Post subject:

Woodburner wrote:

The snath and handles looks just like this one from Dobies except the snath is steel on mine, and the blade is a bit different.
Is there any chance of buying a replacement jigger without the rest of the scythe?

Looks much like a Turk scythe - you ought to be able to get a spare 'jigger' - I am sure Gil will know. Possibly you could use a 'jigger' for one of Simon Fairlie's Austrian scythes as well - would be worth asking him.

Henry

Woodburner

Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 2904
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 11 9:41 am Post subject:
Thanks, I will pm Gil. Simon Fairlie does one, but it's a bit smaller, not sure if it might be too high as well, as my snath is pretty flat, and it only seems to have one grub screw. I've found one almost identical here (#3), again it's a tiny bit small, but they're in Canada!

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 11 10:29 am Post subject:

Are you talking about the ring clamp? There's more sizes listed near the bottom of this pagehere but they're over in Canada.

Have you tried soaking the screw in penetrating oil, such as WD-40, overnight? If that doesn't work and if it's all metal I'd try heating the screw and leaving it to cool (taking care you don't set fire to any oil). Even a sharp but not too heavy tap with a small hammer might break the seal on the screw.

Woodburner

Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 2904
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 11 11:21 am Post subject:

I've tried 3 in 1, but no luck so far.
I'll have to have another look for the DW40, as well as a suitable hammer. Unfortunately the bit that I need to hit is flush with the plate.

I did wonder about heating it, but Mum was ooh no, don't want to be doing that ... I'll give it a go

... when I've dosed it with DW40 and tapped it with a hammer, I'm 99% sure it's not going to budge that easily.

eta forgot to say, yes ring clamp that's the wotsit.

Not sure which way round the dimensions are on that page, mine is longer than it is wide (45x35mm)

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 11 11:34 am Post subject:

You could put the hex-key in the nut and tap that lightly. You're just aiming to break some of the rust and then let the oil get in. Just leaving it in bright sunshine might help, a few squirts of WD-40 over a few days might just loosen it.

It should be quite easy to drill out the screw and re-tap the thread if you have the tools or someone nearby. Not worth it if you can pick up another clamp but Simon is the only person in the UK I've found who sells them.

Green Man

Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 5272
Location: Rural Scotland.

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 11 3:36 pm Post subject:
I'm sything all round under the edges of my hedge rows at the moment. I enjoy the therapy and exercise.

Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 11 5:16 pm Post subject:
Bracken on a hillside. And good for de-stressing it is, though my right hand in particular is pointing out that it isn't used to the exercise. Reeds to put down in the sheep shelter. (Less relaxing as they are tough wotsits.)

dolmen

Joined: 07 Oct 2011
Posts: 108

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 12 5:47 pm Post subject:
Anyone looking forward to getting their scythe into gear? I'd been watching the local auctions for over two years and never seen a good one come up, so I splashed out on a new scythe, and eagerly await it coming! Any helpful advice that you care to offer to get me started on the right track. TIA

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 12 6:00 pm Post subject:
What kind did you get ?

crofter

Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 12 9:55 pm Post subject:

dolmen wrote:

Any helpful advice that you care to offer to get me started on the right track.
TIA

Don't overdo it.

dolmen

Joined: 07 Oct 2011
Posts: 108

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 12 11:08 pm Post subject:

gil wrote:

What kind did you get ?

An 'Austrian' from Simon ... I have a garden that I'm letting grow up at the moment so I can try it out later in the springtime.

Cheers

dolmen

Joined: 07 Oct 2011
Posts: 108

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 12 11:10 pm Post subject:

crofter wrote:

Don't overdo it.

I think the stamina or lack of it will keep me in check, hopefully.

Cheers

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 12 11:33 pm Post subject:

Never mind stamina - mind the blisters !
Surprisingly easy to get at first (or at the start of each mowing season).

You must be a long way south - I don't start mowing till May or June.

What kind of blade, and what will you be mowing ?

I have a 55cm ditch blade and a 75cm grass blade.
Most of the land here is orchard on a slope, with buried obstacles like tree stumps and rocks. A wee bit of flat ground that can be cut for hay.

buzzy

Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 3708
Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 12 12:51 am Post subject:

dolmen wrote:

gil wrote:

What kind did you get ?

An 'Austrian' from Simon ... I have a garden that I'm letting grow up at the moment so I can try it out later in the springtime.Cheers

Wow! Whar a brilliant excuse!

Henry

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