cutting cocobolo w/o dust protection (scary)

[Blake McCully]

Monday after work I slabbed a 3X3X12 block of cocobolo. The first half I didn't use my respirator, mask, or anything. Got quite dusty so I put on all my regalia for the second half of the block.

This picture was taken about 3:30 this morning shortly before LOML took me to the ER for some good meds. I took 50 mgm benadryl last nite at 7:30, then 50 mgm more at 11:30. Woke up at three with this glorius mug. Actually the swelling has gone down somewhat since then, but still pretty bad.

Two hundred and seventy dollars does not, now, seem all that much for a triton respirator system. Gonna order that real quick.

[Michael Stafford]

Sorry you had a bad experience with the cocobolo. I have heard there are two kinds of people; those that are allergic to cocobolo and those that will be... You obviously are one of the former.

[Bill Grumbine]

Stop Blake, you're scaring me! :eek: I just bought my first chunk of cocobolo in years while I was in the Woodcraft store the other day. I have not ever had a reaction to it, but that doesn't mean I won't. I was turning a banksia pod for the first time ever two days ago and my arms got all red and itchy within minutes. It went in the burn pile. I would hate to have to burn a chunk of cocobolo too!

I hope you get over the reaction soon, and that it doesn't get any worse for you. I know of two local turners who ended up in the hospital because of this stuff, and there are many others, so you are not alone by a long shot.

Bill

[Raymond Overman]

Wow, I'm sorry that you're in such a fix Blake. I've been telling my father for some time that he better be careful with a piece of cocobolo that was brought back from a mission trip to Honduras last year. I'll have to send him this picture to enforce my warnings.

I hope you get better soon.

[Jim Becker]

Cocobolo, like most rosewoods, is something that many folks are very sensitive too. (Bubinga seems to affect me, too) Some people have the same problem with black walnut!

'Glad you're ok...your quick attention to it was a good idea. And yes, do consider a ventilated mask, such as the Triton. I recently bought one and have been pleased so far.

[Blake McCully]

Glad you're ok...your quick attention to it was a good idea. And yes, do consider a ventilated mask, such as the Triton. I recently bought one and have been pleased so far.


I just ordered a triton respirator from amazon. Their list price is the same as what CSUSA has, $269.99. They are offering $25 off for tools and hardware orders over $199, lo and behold the respirator comes und this category. With their list price, discount, and shipping, the bottom line was $275 and change. Saving nearly $20 over the CSUSA one.

LOML took me to the hospital at around 4:00 this morning. They shot me up with a bunch of stuff that could probably make me a very creative turner, if I could stand that long. They kept me there till about 7:00 and I left with a handfull of Rx's. The dang respirator is going to get here before I will be ready to turn :mad:

I've turned coco before, even slabbed a couple big sticks, but nothing on this scale. Since I'm not going to be able to turn for a while, I'm going to put a "funnel scoop" on the bottome of my TS and hook my little portable DC to it. I'm going to try to get a "Y" tube so I can hook up my band saw too.

Bill, don't you use the triton, or something like it? I thought that's what you wear in your video. I'll PM you later about some insturction later in the spring or early summer.

Gotta go take some drugs and read..... :p

[Harry Pye]

Blake,

I read somewhere that if you aren't allergic to Cocobollo, you will be!

Unfortunately, you found out the hard way. I think your experience is going to sell another venilated mask for Triton. (One for me)

[James Carmichael]

Stop Blake, you're scaring me! :eek: I just bought my first chunk of cocobolo in years while I was in the Woodcraft store the other day. I have not ever had a reaction to it, but that doesn't mean I won't. I was turning a banksia pod for the first time ever two days ago and my arms got all red and itchy within minutes. It went in the burn pile. I would hate to have to burn a chunk of cocobolo too!

I hope you get over the reaction soon, and that it doesn't get any worse for you. I know of two local turners who ended up in the hospital because of this stuff, and there are many others, so you are not alone by a long shot.

Bill

Ditto that here, Bill, $5.95 looked irresistible for inlays or highlights. I'm not a turner, but glad I haven't tried to work it yet.

I was about to invest in a respirator anyway as I've got a bunch of scrap tropical HW given to me by Lumber Liquidators. Most of it is Tauari (Brazilian Oak) and some Jatoba, but it is all filthy. I plan to take it outside and hit it with an 80-grit on an ROS before it touches my planer.

[John Shuk]

Sorry about the reaction. I am one of those that has a reaction to Black Walnut. I wear a mask or I get a wicked headache. I guess the air helmet jus ain't a bad idea.

[Barbara Gill]

Uh Bill, if you discover you have developed an allergy to cocobollo, don't burn it. I am not allergic to it yet. :D

[Bob Weisner]

Is it the inhallation of the wood dust that causes the reaction or is it contact with the skin that causes the reaction?

Thanks,

Bob

[Jim Becker]

Is it the inhallation of the wood dust that causes the reaction or is it contact with the skin that causes the reaction?

Yes.

Really. It can be either or both.

[Ernie Nyvall]

Thanks for the post Blake. I just started turning this year and had heard of such a thing, but had mostly written it off. Your picture sure makes it real. I hope you are doing better by now.

Ernie

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Thanks for the post. I have not yet used Cocobolo, but when I do I will use proper gear. Thanks!

[Blake McCully]

Well, I didn't mean to scare anybody away from cocobolo. Outstanding wood, now if anyone of you out there have been scared away from it. Send it to me and I'll pay the shipping :D

Yes, the triton respirator will be delivered today. I googled the respirator to find out the best price. I now CSUSA sells them for $269.99, I also fiound out that Amazon sells them for the same price, but they are offering a $25.00 discount for a limited time. I'm not sure when it expires, but it is sometime in the first week of April. I ordered one, with next day delivery, usually pretty pricey, but with the $25.00 discount my total charge was $275.99 so that means that I'm getting next day Fed-Ex delivery for about $6.oo. Can't beat it.

When mine comes, I'll test it out and give a critique. Nearly all of the reviews I've read about it have been positive.

Keep it spinning, but safely.

[Bill Grumbine]

Hi Blake

I have an old Racal AH-5, which 3M now sells as the Airstream. It is a step up from the Triton you are describing, but the Triton should do just fine for dust. Remember to keep this stuff off your skin too! One of the guys I know got huge blisters all over his body as part of his reaction.

Barbara, I am not giving up on it yet! There are a couple of species that make me just a little bit itchy, so I am careful with everything anymore. That banksia pod was a real disappointment, not so much as I had a burning desire to make it into something, but rather because it may be a portent of reaction to other Australian species, some of which are on their way to me from a DVD recipient.

Bill

[Dave Anderson NH]

As some of you know, I turn a lot of exotics when making tool handles for my Chester Toolworks side business. I use Cocobolo, East Indian Rosewood, Brazilian Tulipwood (a rosewood family member), Gabon Ebony, and Snakewood. I also occasionally use Mesquite and Bubinga.

All of these are potentially a problem for both skin rashes and some form of respiratory distress. My approach is multi-pronged. I have a dedicate dust collection inlet right behind the lathe with a rectangular cone shaped opening to pickup some of the chips, but it's mostly for the dust when sanding. I have a 3M Airmate helmet to wear, and at times I will wear a pair of tight fitting latex surgical gloves. I also vacuum up all dust and chips after every lathe session. This accomplishes 2 purposes, first I don't track the stuff upstairs into the house and upset Sue, and secondly nothing is likely to get kicked up as I move around. I also run one of the Jet hanging air filters.

Fortunately I'm not yet allergic to any of the woods I turn, but I'd just as soon overprotect to avoid the possibility as long as possible.

[Barbara Gill]

Hi Bill,

The only cocobollo I have turned was some I bought last year at the Southern States Symposium. I bought a couple of 1 1/2x 1 1/2 sticks to make wine stoppers out of. I have turned just a little of it. Because I had heard of people having problems, I used my North respirator when turning them. I will turn a few every once in awhile so as not to overly challenge my immune system. I guess it is similar to poison ivy. If I can avoid getting it for about 5 years, my immunity builds up enough to withstand 1 or 2 exposures. :cool:

[Harry Goodwin]

Well, there went the joy out of my cocobolo. (The warning is appreciated) I have had good success with kingwood on pens. Does it have the same warning label? thanks

[Brad Schmid]

Blake,

You made the right decision both in addressing the problem immediately at the hospital and by getting a respirator. Although not near as serious as your experience, my first negative experience with turning exotics was with a walking cane turned from Bocote, I was still in denial... :o My second experience was with a Jara Burl bowl. That's when i got a little wiser and invested in an Airstream AS400 a few yrs ago. Now I know there won't be a third time... I've heard some good things about the Triton, it should do the job for you. Get well soon.

Brad

[Anthony Yakonick]

Well, there went the joy out of my cocobolo. (The warning is appreciated) I have had good success with kingwood on pens. Does it have the same warning label? thanks
Any dalbergia WILL cause a problem and skin contact will cause a problem also. If you have been affected with a rash do not turn any more it gets worse every time!!!!

[Kent Cori]

I really love cocobolo. I have used it for many turning projects. That said I make sure I wear a dust mask when I turn it and wash my hands and exposed arms when I am finished with it. I've been fortunate thus far and have not had any alergic reactions. Knock on wood that I won't develop any! :p