Sawdust

[neilyweely]

I have been sanding oak, and turning and sanding olive (I think) and hawthorne (fresh from the garden). I have been in the workshop all day and have not used the extraction, just the bag on the back of the sander, which does work well.

Now I feel rough. Really rough. Headache, cold, shivers, sore eyes. I was ok this morning, so was wondering if it is the sawdust, or just coincidence. Yeah, probly coincidence, but does anyone know if these woods can trigger these symptoms? The oak is old, real old, but the hawthorne was fresh from the garden, microwaved (according to UK workshop forum regs) and turned. Could it be hawthorne steam fumes?

Any ideas?

Thanks a lot folks.

 

[lugo35]

olive is nasty stuff may have been that

 

[neilyweely]

Lugo - I did wonder.

I have never turned it before, come to think of it I have never used it before, so....maybe I am allergic?
It has a very distinctive smell, doesn't it? Beautiful grain though. I am making xmas pressies, money is so tight I have no alternative!

What do I do now? Ride it out? Or can anything be done?

Mate, thanks for answering. Won't do that again!

Neil

 

[wizer]

It maybe that coincidently you have caught a bug or flu or something. But in future, get yourself a mask and use as much extraction as possible.

 

[neilyweely]

Wizer - thing is I haven't seen anyone for a few days (isolation is a wonderful thing) apart from the mrs and bebe, who are both right as rain. I do feel flu-ey though, so you may be right.
Can anyone let me know, in easy fashion, the woods I should avoid. I know MDF is a killer, and have been told it is hard to find in USA, but what about hardwoods. Iroko, Olive and..... when I say avoid, I mean be careful with.
Problem is the WS is so small it is a pain setting up a DE system. I have one, a Rexon small thing, and a henry shop vac, but the Rexon has NEVER been used. I did think about fitting it to the ceiling, waddya reckon?
Can anyone reccommend a good way to fit this and keep it hidden, but accessable?


To tell you the truth the Henry can handle just about all I throw at it, they really are brilliant. I may just use this, anyone got any experience of Henry based DE systems? Can they be souped up at all, or filter changed? They are pretty popular, so I bet someone has had a go somewhere!
"cough, cough, splutter cough,"


Thanks all

Neil

 

[wizer]

It really depends on you. I have worked with olive and not had an obvious reaction. Most exotics should be taken with care. I can't stress enough that if you can't (or won't) beef up your extraction, you must wear a mask.

There is a small list here:

http://www.gregmach.com/new_machinery/d ... info.htm#5

I'm sure I have seen something more comprehensive before, but it basically lists all woods with all possible side effects, much like the instructions that come with most medication.

 

[wizer]

Here is a better list:

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... erous+dust

 

[krismusic]

I'd say something like this http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/product/A ... v_uk_.html Expensive I know but compared to your health?

 

[bjm]

An excellent source of literature on the health effects of woods (plants) is the Botanical Dermatology Database. It's not the easiest to navigate as you need to be familiar with the scientific names (and families) of whatever you are looking for. That's not too much of a problem though -just google the common name beforehand. The only caution I would advise before using this database is to be sure of the correct identification of any timber you intend to use.


Neil, it could just be that you have a heightened sensitivity to many woods. As I understand it, it's something you can quickly develop even though you may not have been affected before. If it gets worse go see your doctor.

I had a look at the timbers you suggested; oak (Quercus spp [Fagaceae] and olive (Olea spp [Oleaceae] ) carry the risk of dermatitis but hawthorn (Crataegus spp [Rosaceae]) has been linked to conjuctivitis (eye inflammation), although it seems to be from the thorns not the wood?
Again, seek proper medical advice if you're concerned - this isn't a medical forum!

Hope it gets better.

Brian

 

[OPJ]

It's certainly not as readily-available as iroko or even olive but, if ever you come across any greenheart, I reckon you should look the other way! :? Seriously, if you don't take ALL the necessary precautions then the dust can give you a heart attack! :shock:

 

[Grinding One]

Wizer - thing is I haven't seen anyone for a few days (isolation is a wonderful thing) apart from the mrs and bebe, who are both right as rain. I do feel flu-ey though, so you may be right.
Can anyone let me know, in easy fashion, the woods I should avoid. I know MDF is a killer, and have been told it is hard to find in USA, but what about hardwoods. Iroko, Olive and..... when I say avoid, I mean be careful with.

MDF is very plentiful here in the usa,how much do you need? The stuff sands and cuts well(Like Butter) but I prefer soft and hard woods for my projects as MDF when it gets wet goes bad fast.I have seen many new counter tops go south after a year of hard use,they just seem to swell up and rot.And if the customer doesn`t bend your ear off for useing it,the dust will kill you

 

[neilyweely]

Always wondered about that, I am sure I was told, at college, that MDF was not so available in USA as it is here. Maybe trying to underline the fact that it is dangerous in spite of its popularity.

Thanks Grindingone. Today I am going to set up the DE system in the workshop, as it is cold now I will be using the tools indoors more (used to drag 'em outside!!) so guess I have no choice.

Neil

PS - Bet we got more MDF than you!! :wink: :wink:

 

[wizer]

Still alive then Neil??

MDF is not used nearly as much in the states as it is here or for as long. We seemed to adopt it early and it's used right across the scale, from some god awful applications that are always finished poorly (and last less than 5mins), to some real unbelievable creations that you could only really do in MDF. MDF has it's place and it certainly isn't quite as deadly as it used to be, but still requires a good mask.

 

[woodbloke]

I think Chas on the Turning Forum has some good info on nasty timbers. Iroko and cocobolo are awful but I've not had a problem with Olive on the lathe. As others have said though, if you don't want to beef up your extraction system then a decent mask has to be a 'must have'. I used to use the Trend Airshield but I now find it hugely uncomfortable and I can't stand the continual buzzing sound :evil: from the motor in my head, so I don't use it now and use a good P2 mask on the occasions when I'm doing something that generates a lot of dust - Rob

 

[Jake]

real unbelievable creations

As opposed to imaginary unbelievable creations?

 

[wizer]

erm yep

 

[Digit]

MDF has it's place

Indeed.
The missus took me off making two clocks to finish a job I started nearly twenty years ago!
Originally the house interior walls were asbestos cement sheet, the sole remaining example was inside the entry porch. Due to electrical meters, door frames and other gubbins there was no way I was going to be able to manoeuvre plaster board into place, but with a certain amount of expletives to assist 6mm MDF was persuaded to take up occupation in the desired position. And thank God for nail guns!

Roy.

 

[MikeG.]

="neilyweely"
To tell you the truth the Henry can handle just about all I throw at it, they really are brilliant. I may just use this, anyone got any experience of Henry based DE systems? Can they be souped up at all, or filter changed?
Neil

Neil,

if you look here,

http://www.getwoodworking.com/gallery/images.asp?uabn=113&SP=&v=1&P=8

you will see my home-made dust-extraction system, utilising a Henry (bottom 2 photos).

This box with baffles means that virtually no dust at all gets as far as the vacuum cleaner, and none at all gets as far as the air. I only empty the vacuum cleaner and clean the filter a couple of times a year, and this copes with all the general dust producers in the workshop, including metal work stuff.

Apologies for linking to another forum, but I'm at work and don't have any other access to my photos.

Mike

 

[lugo35]

im lucky not been alergic toany timber so far. probably need to wear a mask more than i do.

think its one area we all miss. buy the best machine we can but skimp on the extraction.
suppose not a toy you can play with unlike the rest.

 

[CWatters]

Check your temperature. Allergies can raise temperature but I think a bug is more likely if temperature is raised.

Two circulating at the moment in our part of the world. One is sore throat followed by cough persisting for two weeks+ (but no really bad runny nose). Other one seems to cause dissy spells.