I got a job cruising timber for the summer! What advise and or equipment?

[SwampDonkey]

Glad everything worked out and you got lots of experience, even if not all forestry related. :D
In all the years in the bush, I have never had any bad encounters of the human kind. I guess it's because most of the country is so remote and those out in the bush in these parts have a little bit of friendly courtesy left in them. Not to say there aren't any bad actors out there. ;D

A lot of folks in the last couple or three generations enjoy the outdoors as long as it's not far from the wheeler or pick up. ;)

[Roxie]

Ashes, I have really enjoyed following your summer cruising.  Wishing you the best, and thanks for providing my arm chair adventure.   

[WDH]

Good luck in your next course of study.

[Dawarner]

I'm a new user to the forum but have used Spencer tapes for thirty years. I have replaced nearly every part at one time or other and have 3 now. One won't tighten. The spring is secure and unbroken. Any ideas? Is the hub worn out?

[ashes]

I can't answer that directly, but I have seen more than one person have issues with them binding up and not reeling back in. If memory serves correct the screws are usually bound to tight. Others around here will know better than me. My only problem with them is the screws back out and the tape gets bent up something terrible. Screws backing out is just something to watch for. Tape getting bent up is my fault for being hard on the rig I guess, and measuring big trees and having to sling it around the bole.

[RPF2509]

Ashes - Congratulation on surviving a summer on the north coast.  Realize if you can do it there you can do it any where.  Anyway I worked out of Ft. Bragg for 20 years or so and am glad to have it behind me.  The dam dopers have almost taken over the woods.  My knees have had their fill of steep ground, now I work the high and flat - no dope as it snows too deep and the hills are just little bitty things.  My knees are happy and I don't live every day in fear for my life.  I never went armed as the growers all ways know you're coming and they will watch you before you see them.  Spooky to look up and see a mexican drawing a bead on you.  The locals never lived on their gardens but the cartel boys did.  Talk about garbage, poisons and wanton trashing of the woods and wildlife.  I'm hoping it gets legalized soon so it gets the growers out of the woods and onto the farm

[BradMarks]

Dawarner:  The center of the spring has a slot in it, as you know. Perhaps the shaft that inserts there has lost some of the "raised rib" that fits in the slot. I took apart one with your same issue and that was the problem.    Ashes: Your tape "bending" or getting crinkles in it could be a result of letting it free wheel when retreiving after a distance measurement, like when it "jumps" after getting hung up on brush or whatever. I have seen tapes that overflow the spool because of so many bends that it won't lay down. It is recommended that a constant tension with the fingers be applied when retreiving.  RPF2509:  Howdy!  I too agree that if you can work the coast, and survive, you can work anywhere.