A chainsaw for my friend.

[captaind]

My best friend Marshall and I work making charcoal in Accompong Town so I did bring a chainsaw down with me on my last trip. I paid $195.00 US for a brand new Poulan Pro 20" blade saw in a carrying case and paid about $5000J customs duty when I brought it in. A similar saw in Jamaica runs for about $40,000J so I saved about $15,000 in the process.

The US Customs has no problem (in fact no input at all) with a new, clean chainsaw going down in your checked baggage. It is Jamaican Customs that regulates what goes into Jamaica.

I used to get asked to "bring something down for me" all the time. I brought down this saw because its use pays for the maintenance and upkeep of my house in Jamaica. I would expect someone to pay me for a chainsaw as it is an awfully expensive gift. A lot of people would ask you to bring down a car if they thought you would do it.

Peace and Guidance

Bill,

It was easier for me to just buy the saw for Courney so he could cut the Cedar and other woods for milling. Check my post over in "Living in Jamaica" about the tress I planted 35 years ago.

All in all it was a matter of a mouse click ... I probably paid 150 for that click but at my age 150 is worth the work a click can do...

The important part as you know is that the click gets to those who care about it .... on the long term....

[Accompong]

Bill,

It was easier for me to just buy the saw for Courney so he could cut the Cedar and other woods for milling. Check my post over in "Living in Jamaica" about the tress I planted 35 years ago.

All in all it was a matter of a mouse click ... I probably paid 150 for that click but at my age 150 is worth the work a click can do...

The important part as you know is that the click gets to those who care about it .... on the long term....

I totally understand, David. It is a lot different cutting and milling wood than cutting wood for charcoal. You don't need a 24" saw or a $79,000 investment to do the latter. In your case, I understand what you are doing and why.

I was more pointing out to someone who has a friend who asks for a gift that will total at least the equivalent of $500 or probably more whether bought (more expensively) in Jamaica or carried down as a taxable item.

I believe in helping people so don't get this wrong. In fact, I have helped countless people over the years. If someone needs a pair of workpants or workboots, I will do what I can. It is just when it gets into "capital investments" like a saw or a car that I draw a more distinct line.

You have lived (like I have lived) in Jamaica for a good number of years so maybe our case is a little different. I see people dropping wads of dough on people as a gift all the time. I don't know about rocknrollfarmer and his relationship with his friend so I can't comment on that.

I just wanted to make a point that I guess a whole lot of people won't really understand anyways. I guess what I am saying is that just because someone wants something it doesn't mean you have an obligation to buy it for them..... friend or not.

No hate mail please. I am getting old and cranky and don't have the time to look for Ricin.

Peace and Guidance

[captaind]

I t
I was more pointing out to someone who has a friend who asks for a gift that will total at least the equivalent of $500 or probably more whether bought (more expensively) in Jamaica or carried down as a taxable item.

Damn Bill..It has just occurred to me that I'm back in business in Jamaica.

You right about sending a gift. I'm buying tools for commercial use in Jamaica.

Believe it or not I'm trying to build a profitable business for the kids to inherit.......

That doesn't depend 95% on imports to sell

[johng]

Hey Cap,

See you planted trees and now want to mill them. Do you have a sawmill setup? I have an old Stihl 064 that I have milled boards / beams with for 20 years. Amazing quality lumber from a chain saw. Kerf is bigger than a bandsaw mill but chainsaw mill is portable to take anywhere. If you have any questions let me know
John

http://granberg.com/

[Accompong]

Hey Cap,

See you planted trees and now want to mill them. Do you have a sawmill setup? I have an old Stihl 064 that I have milled boards / beams with for 20 years. Amazing quality lumber from a chain saw. Kerf is bigger than a bandsaw mill but chainsaw mill is portable to take anywhere. If you have any questions let me know
John

http://granberg.com/

Thanks again, johng

Your granberg.com link is exactly what I was looking for. Even though we use a chainsaw in Accompong Town mainly for cutting wood for charcoal, occasionally we use our 20" Poulan Pro to cut some board using an old, bent-outta-shape guide that gets more difficult with each cut.

They have one for $170 that will work.

Thanks again.

Peace and Guidance

[johng]

No problem Brother Accompong!!!

You might also want to purchase some ripping chain specially designed for making boards. Not too expensive. All you need to know is the pitch and gauge of your nar / chain and number of links. Maybe buy two or three as when they get dull cutting is almost impossible. easy to sharpen with a file but having a couple spare allows you to stay in the grove without interruption.

John