Official Luthiers Forum!

I thought this might be a good thing to start. I know that folks react differently to different woods, but I suppose we ought to start a list of possibles.

Cocobolo: gives me a rash.

Cocobolo makes my eyes water and makes me sneeze.
Lacewood gives me a rash.


Really nice Braz makes me nervous

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Anytime I cut MDF I get a sore throat. I know it's not really wood but I thought I'd throw that in there.

Madrose dust makes my eyelids swollen. Really! Coco and African BW slightly less so, but they are getting there, and with more exposure I'm sure they will be just as bad.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Do you wear a respirator? I never work with MDF without some sort of protection, bad stuff.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Good grief Bill, just what I needed...I like the cross on the website!
MDF and particle board are full of formaldehyde.
Arnt, I know that repeated use makes conditions worse...lacquer and I don't get along at all, which is why I spent lots of $$$$$$$ on a real spray booth.
S'pose I may end up with EIR, but gawd I hate purple...
Anyone else?...

When I fine sand Indian rosewood I sometimes feel a slight discomfort in the nose. Didn't seem to have noticed anything bad with Madagascar, Brazilian, ABW or ebony. Didn't try coco yet, really not interested in the potential issues, but I sure drool every time I see a guitar or a nice set offered.

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Build log

coco gets me sneezing and watery eyes for several days.
macassar ebony gets my nose running for a short time.
brazilian rosewood makes my wallet hurt.

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Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Believe it or not, regular American Black Walnut is the only one that bothers me so far.

Believe it or not, regular American Black Walnut is the only one that bothers me so far.

I learned from Mario that the nasal rinse, or sinus rinse on a daily basis, or certainly after a period of work in the shop, is an excellent solution to a lot of those problems. The longer that dust is in your nasal passages, the more reaction you, ultimately, will have. Get it out! I recommend the NeilMed packets and the "turkey baster" type bottle that gently forces the solution through your sinuses. It really cleans you out. Disgusting, huh? Since I started using it, and I do, twice a day, every day, now, I breathe better and sleep better. I have asthma, and have allergy issues anyway, and this has been amazing for me. CA glue shuts me down for three days, and I have to wear a respirator when I use it. I'm trying not to, but find the need from time to time. However, the sinus rinse gets the dust out of your head, and that's a good thing.

Thanks again, Grumpy!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Excellent Waddy thanks for posting that. My Lovely Bride recently bought a neti pot for that specific purpose. And yes, thanks Grumpy!

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Well after watching this video I'm just very glad that enemas have no practical safety value for wood workers .....



So much for my breakfast this morning.....

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Great to see you back Bill my friend!

Glad to be back. I've been pushing hard to get 4 guitars out of the shop so I can start on the next 3. Shuffling that with remodeling my house has me running in circles on some days. I intended to have them completed last Fall.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

I was just reading the link that Bill posted on toxicity. It appears that Yew wood is pretty deadly. I wonder if that is the same Yew that grows here on the West Coast? The one I have a small pile of in my shop. I've only used a small amount and I don't think I died. Curious if anyone has heard of West Coast Yew being toxic?

Danny

Danny,

There are many varieties of plants referred to as Yew. HERE's an article that might interest you.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

I would change one word in that last sentence: "I never work with wood without some sort of protection, bad stuff."

I always wear a respirator mask when working with wood in a way that it will generate dust: sanding, sawing, router, etc. Even with a good dust collection system. And I'm not talking the little through-away white paper masks, I'm talking something that can fit tight around your mouth and nose.

Something like this: http://www.allergyasthmatech.com/P/3m_h ... cid=nxt200

There are so many potential hasards, both short and long term exposition hasards, that it is really not a good idea to breath any wood dust.


My 2 cents.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

ALL WOODS ARE HAZARDUS, EVEN SPRUCE!! THEY ALL DEMAND YOUR RESPECT, AND A MINIMAL RESPIRATOR, not the cheapo dental mask either.

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

I just received the beautiful set of ziricote that I purchased in the swap meet, and I got a rash on my arm 15 minutes after opening the box. Seriously hoping it was a reaction to something else... but there may be a really pretty set of ziricote in the classifieds shortly...

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Evan McCartney

Again with the ziricote. It is the only wood i've found so far that gives me problems, runny nose, sneezing etc. It isn't bad enough, and it's too pretty to stop using...I just don't use it as much. Only the dust particles from sanding get me though, machining and turning (i do pens too) don't give me any problems.

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Jake

~Make a joyful noise unto the Lord~

Well, seems as though a large part of my problem has been that the Oneida collector barrel was full.
That and taking a shower immediately after sanding has seemingly done it for me. The rash on my neck has all but disappeared.

Package all that toxic ziricote up and ship it to me. I'll find some way to dispose of it for you!