sad news from SouthFlorida

I'm saddened and sorry to hear of the loss.

What evidence was there for the complications attributable to the turning of Silky Oak wood? I'm very interested in this type of thing and would appreciate some contact information for maybe the doctor who diagnosed this.

- Andrew

Several members of the Arizona woodturners association including myself have had reactions to Silk Oak. Some were hospitalized and others were treated through out-patient. The symptoms don't start for at least a week after contact with the wood/dust. I tried Benadryl and other over the counter remedies to no avail. I then went to our family Dr. who gave me a dose pack of steroids which didn't help. Two days later I went to the emergency room for a steroid shot and another dose pack of steroids. I did not sleep for three days because of the most intense itching I could imagine. It felt like I was being poked with hundreds of 16 penny nails, it was a deep DEEP horrible itch!!! and the affected areas swelled up.

It's not worth taking a chance on a wood species that has caused this much misery in so many people.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

AZCRAIG

"cm" wrote in news:FT4Cc.117882$ snipped-for-privacy@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:

Are Silk Oak and Lacewood the same species? Reason I ask is that I have a few BF of Lacewood waiting for the right project and, if it is the same as Silk Oak, it may wait a Lot longer.

Hope all of the other afflicted folks are doing well.

Silky Oak is a tree originally from Australia, also known as Grevillea robusta. Lacewood is another Australian tree, Cardwellia sublimis. Both are Proteaceae, of the protea family, but the woods are quite different in appearance. I have turned quite a bit of Silky Oak-Grevillea, always being sure to wear a facemask and keep myself well covered, and so far no problems. It is a beautiful wood, and easy to work and finish. But after reading of many others having had serious allergic reactions to the wood, I think I will refrain from using it in the future. Nissan Teman Pardes Hanna, Israel

Helpful post, Nissan. Thanks.

Question: Is Silky Oak really that compelling as to be desirable as a turning wood? What is the appearance?

Max

snipped-for-privacy@netvision.net.il (Nissan Teman) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com:

Thanks for the information. I think that I will also refrain from turning these woods. The Lacewood I have is a few boards and I think I may just work it with hand tools. A more enjoyable way to work and, if I don't sand, I'll have more control over contact.

LD

Add to that list the American Sycamore (a close cousin to the London Plane you mentioned below). I know that the companies that I sell my spalted Sycamore logs too, market some of the lumber cuts as "Lacewood".

- Andrew

There are a considerable number of woods marketed variously as "lacewood," and "leopardwood" including London plane, (Platanus hybrida) ; the Cardwellia sublimis you mentioned, Yellow Lacewood, (Polyalthia oblongifolia), and South American Lacewood, (Roupala Brasilensis) to name a few. If you bought it in the States, there's a good chance you have the South/Central American variety of lacewood.

I have also seen Cardwellia listed as "silky oak," so you can never be sure what you're getting unless you are familiar with all the various species, and even then you might have to do a more detailed examination.

-- Chuck *#:^) chaz3913(AT)yahoo(DOT)com Anti-spam sig: please remove "NO SPAM" from e-mail address to reply. <

September 11, 2001 - Never Forget

here's an example of a bowl from this (or maybe it was sheaoak - I was never sure)

cost me about $300 in doctors bills by the time I had recovered, Ireacted as if I had rolled naked in a huge pile of poison oak - but the boxdoes look nice

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Ouch. But the box is beautiful and the wood attractive. But forewarned is forearmed.

Max