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Please help me immediately!

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Please help me immediately!

#1

Please help me immediately!

Brett Sherwood - Richmond, IN

>I just turned this piece of some kind of exotic South American wood fron a 4 x 4 into a round and I feel really, really ill. My local "wood guy" gave it to me for free to see if the wood was turnable. He told me the name of it which I can't remember right now. Their shop custom makes flooring as well as ornamental work. This wood is as dense as any I've ever seen. The grain is very straight. I held my breath while turning it down to a round which was incredibly fast with my new Sorby 32mm roughing gouge. It's my own stupidity for having to post this message because I have a full face Bullard respirator and didn't use it. I posted pictures of the turning in hopes that someone can tell me if this wood is poisonous. I still feel a little loopy but seem to be getting better. Can any of you shed any light on what kind of wood this is?


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Re: Please help me immediately!

#2

CATCH!!

Jerome Laux

>How about Jatoba? Typically known as Brazillian Cherry. It works like a dream and takes a wonderful polish. I usually use a dust mask with it.

Re: Please help me immediately!

#3

Re: Please help me immediately!

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Brett, I do not know exactly what you mean by ill, but perhaps you should be seeking medical attention. There are many species which can provoke allergic reactions in people, and those reactions can vary widely from a mild itching to cessation of breathing. If you are starting to feel better that is a good sign, but I would not turn that stuff again, and if you have a respiratior, there is only one place for it - on your head!

You say that the wood comes from South America, but to me it looks a little like bubinga, which is African. I could be wrong, it is hard to tell from a picture. Regardless, I would not turn any more of it if I were you.

Bill

Re: Please help me immediately!

#4

Re: Please help me immediately!

Ron Sardo

>Looks like old growth African Bubinga to me. Send it to me, I'll finish turning it for you. ;-)

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