Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Jan 25, 2005 06:01pm | #1

   It's not unusual for certain species to cause allergic reactions. Sometimes it's epidermal other times it's respiratory. Tropical woods seem to be the worst but wood dust in general is considered harmful, it is recognized as a human carcinogen. You should avoid breathing it and prolonged contact with the skin.

   Some species seem to cause immediate reactions in some individuals. Once sensitized, it takes minimum exposure to cause a reaction. Sounds like Honduras is something you should avoid.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   jogrande | Jan 26, 2005 12:20pm | #10

   First of all, thanks for responding everyone, I was beginning to think that my career as a novice woodworker was coming to an end and I am not ready to retire. I was wondering if anyone knows of a resource for a list of common woods that cause reactions to sensitive people.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 26, 2005 02:12pm | #11

   Try this link.. One of many

   http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/roche/rec.wood.misc/wood.toxic

   All have stated in one way or another, it really depends on the person using ANY wood.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 25, 2005 07:56pm | #2

   John, I commend you for going to the doctor to get this figured out.  So often, when these allergy threads comes up it goes like this:  "Is it possible I have an allergy to speciesX?  Every time I work with it I get big red welts on my skin, sinus headaches, a rash and headaches........."  (you get the idea -- the dude is practically dead before he checks it out, and then he comes to us!)  OK, I exaggerate, but allergies can be very serious, so it's good to get the allergen pinned down and figure out how to deal with it.

   In the long run, it doesn't matter whether anyone else is allergic to your irritant -- you are, and that's what's important.  If you have to work with it, wear long sleeves, a respirator and tight gloves if you have to (I'll get flack for the gloves -- be careful).  If all that doesn't work, find a different wood.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   frenchy | Jan 25, 2005 09:15pm | #3

   Be carefull regarding individual boards.  I worked with a piece of spalted maple once and wow did that lay me out!   never priviously had any reaction to any wood but spalted maple really knocked me for a loop! 

1. 
   Rich14 | Jan 25, 2005 11:41pm | #4

   Frenchy,

   Spalting is caused by a fungus in the wood. It sounds like you may be allergic to the fungus or its spores. In that case you also might have allergies to other fungi, like musrooms!

   Rich

1. 
   frenchy | Jan 26, 2005 08:00am | #5

   Yeh I know and I've never been alergic to mushrooms or anything else really, but that chunk of spalted maple had me..

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 26, 2005 08:20am | #6

   Yep, spalted anything can cause nasty problems.  I have several logs that are "spalting" as we speak, and I'll have to dress to the 9's when it comes time to cut them up.  I made the mistake of using some almost-spalted maple to scroll-saw something out of awhile back. AHHHHHH-CHOO!  Sinuses did not like that at all.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   tms | Jan 26, 2005 08:28am | #7

   Hey Forest Girl,When you're ready to resaw some of that spalted maple, I'll let you use my bandsaw in exchange for a flitch.Tom

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 26, 2005 09:29am | #8

   Sounds great, Tom.  You might want to get an air filter running in there though, LOL!  Those spores or whatever they are are naaaaassssty.

   First I gotta  get the hunks down to manageable size.  The biggest is about 3.5' long and probably 24" diameter.  Doesn't look all that heavy, but yikes it is.  What's the resaw capacity on the Minimax?  12"??

   BTW, could you send me an email with the name of the kinfe-guy?  Nick's really interested.  Thanks!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   tms | Jan 26, 2005 09:41am | #9

   Hey Forestgirl,MiniMax says 14.25". I was originally planning to buy the 18" saw, but since my planer is 12" I decided that if the 16" had enough power, that I didn't really need more capacity.The knife guy is Ray Arcan from somewhere in British Columbia. He teaches north american native knife making, and paddle making. I'll try to get you some more info. TomEdited 1/26/2005 1:52 am ET by tms

   Edited 1/26/2005 2:59 am ET by tms