Dangerous Timber List

[Bob Eustace]

Know this guy and he is a fair dinkum sort of fellow and is actually very brave publishing this list as it could turn hobbyists off messing with wood. Turns out the common cypress we use all the time here in the shop is just about the worst wood one can machine.

http://www.ubeaut.com.au/badwood.htm

[Simops]

Hey Bob.......damn if you do, damn if you don't.....hey! Its all about risk minimisation......never eliminate risk just minimise it to a perceived acceptable level!!

Cheers

[myxpykalix]

This one on the list:
black cherry USA, Canada, Europe Wheezing, giddiness (that actually sounds like it might be FUN!:D)
I think i might go snort me some Cherry:eek:

Here's something that i've wondered about...people talk about being cautious around "exotic" woods, species that are not native to us like this for example:

black bean Australia Dermatitis, itchiness, irritation of mucous membranes

but does it have the same effect on someone who lives in Australia who this species is native to?

By the same token do some of our native species like Pine or Oak have a effect on someone to whom this might be considered an "exotic"?

I would think we have built up an immunity to our species like most in other lands?:confused:

[mikeacg]

Great reading! Thanks Bob!

I used some leftover treated 4x4s when I first got my rotary (to save a few bucks while learning how it worked) and just about killed myself. Messed up my eyes from the dust and my lungs were none too happy either (even wearing a mask along with dust collection and keeping all the doors open)...

Just need to be very careful - no matter what kind of wood!

Mike

[bleeth]

For those that may not know: "Treated" uses some really awful chemicals, most of which are copper based.
"Today, pressure-treated lumber is treated with a range of inorganic chemicals rather than arsenate. Other common chemicals used are Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ), Copper Azole (CA), Sodium Borate (SBX), and Micronized Copper Quaternary (MCQ). These newer types of treated woods may be less toxic, but they also contain higher levels of copper, so they're much more corrosive than the old CCA-treated lumber."

I guess the good thing is it's not arsenic based anymore.


[tri4sale]

Great reading! Thanks Bob!

I used some leftover treated 4x4s when I first got my rotary (to save a few bucks while learning how it worked) and just about killed myself. Messed up my eyes from the dust and my lungs were none too happy either (even wearing a mask along with dust collection and keeping all the doors open)...

Just need to be very careful - no matter what kind of wood!

Mike

Treated = Bad for you!!!

Local farmer burned a bunch of left over treated lumber he had, in the same field his cows grazed in. Apparently cows like ash, as they ate up around the burn pile and all died from poisoning.

On the same note, if you make a raised garden bed, never make it out of treated lumber!

[myxpykalix]

Dave is right re:treated lumber. I try not to even cut into it if i can help it. I have handled treated wood when it was still wet (just delivered to lumber yard) and i swear my skin was tingling after handling it.:eek: