Greetings from a novice bowl turner,

I recently came into a lucky find. A friend wanted to cut down three
large trees in her front yard. I took a few logs to try out, until I
identified the wood. Silky oak (Grevilla robusta), a relative of
LACEWOOD!

Apparently these Australian trees are grown in Aridzona due to their
drought resistance, but either way, I grabbed them all.

I have since sealed the ends (either with the waxy anchor seal or thick
coating of outside latex paint), but not removed the bark yet. I've
gotten a variety of advice, including leave the bark on and store it in
my garage (as the summer heat will probably be a bad idea).

Also, there is some concern due to the phenolic compounds found in the
wood.

Any advice on how to properly store this, best way to work it, and will
the LDD technique work with it etc?

Thanks,
Phil

Australian Silky Oak (Grevilla robusta), can be VERY dangerous, Cover your
arms against dust and wear Dust protection when ever you work with it.
(Green or Dry).
I know two woodturners who both were able to turn it till the cows came
home, here are their stories.

"A" had been turning Silky Oak for years and loved the look it gave him till
one weekend He turned some on the Saturday, and like usual not taking any
special care after all it did not effect him, and everything was normal on
Sunday he went to finish the Job he was doing, next thing he knew he was in
intensive care fighting for his life.

"T" even after knowing "A's" Story bragged that Silky Oak did not effect him
and he could turn it with no effect 4 years later he now loses his sence of
taste and smell for 3 days after turning the wood even though he now wears a
full resperator AND a secondary mask under the resporator.

That said it does work well and has some interesting grain.

"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
Greetings from a novice bowl turner,

I recently came into a lucky find. A friend wanted to cut down three
large trees in her front yard. I took a few logs to try out, until I
identified the wood. Silky oak (Grevilla robusta), a relative of
LACEWOOD!

Apparently these Australian trees are grown in Aridzona due to their
drought resistance, but either way, I grabbed them all.

I have since sealed the ends (either with the waxy anchor seal or thick
coating of outside latex paint), but not removed the bark yet. I've
gotten a variety of advice, including leave the bark on and store it in
my garage (as the summer heat will probably be a bad idea).

Also, there is some concern due to the phenolic compounds found in the
wood.

Any advice on how to properly store this, best way to work it, and will
the LDD technique work with it etc?

Thanks,
Phil

Phil,

Silk Oak is very dangerous to some people. I know of three that were
hospitalized and one who died. I had to make a trip to my doctor and then to
urgent care to stop the most horrendous inching you could ever imagine
(Three nights with NO sleep). The symptoms do not show up for about a week.
Over the counter remedies do not phase the itching and swelling.

I would toss it in the trash.

AZCRAIG

www.azcraig.us

Same here -- I got a major rash from green silky oak which was awful and required a doctor's
visit to deal with. Over the years I've turned lots of different rosewoods (many people have
problems with these) green without a problem.

Bill

In article ,
says...
Phil,

Silk Oak is very dangerous to some people. I know of three that were
hospitalized and one who died. I had to make a trip to my doctor and then to
urgent care to stop the most horrendous inching you could ever imagine
(Three nights with NO sleep). The symptoms do not show up for about a week.
Over the counter remedies do not phase the itching and swelling.

I would toss it in the trash.

AZCRAIG

www.azcraig.us

"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
Greetings from a novice bowl turner,

I recently came into a lucky find. A friend wanted to cut down three
large trees in her front yard. I took a few logs to try out, until I
identified the wood. Silky oak (Grevilla robusta), a relative of
LACEWOOD!

Apparently these Australian trees are grown in Aridzona due to their
drought resistance, but either way, I grabbed them all.

I have since sealed the ends (either with the waxy anchor seal or thick
coating of outside latex paint), but not removed the bark yet. I've
gotten a variety of advice, including leave the bark on and store it in
my garage (as the summer heat will probably be a bad idea).

Also, there is some concern due to the phenolic compounds found in the
wood.

Any advice on how to properly store this, best way to work it, and will
the LDD technique work with it etc?

Thanks,
Phil

Two members of our club in south florida have had extreme reactions to silky
oak,,One,the most recent,developed allergies to all wood dust and had to
give up woodturning totally.The other,a close friend of mine, died as a
direct result from exposure to this dust.I wouldn't chance it..Rick
"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
Greetings from a novice bowl turner,

I recently came into a lucky find. A friend wanted to cut down three
large trees in her front yard. I took a few logs to try out, until I
identified the wood. Silky oak (Grevilla robusta), a relative of
LACEWOOD!

Apparently these Australian trees are grown in Aridzona due to their
drought resistance, but either way, I grabbed them all.

I have since sealed the ends (either with the waxy anchor seal or thick
coating of outside latex paint), but not removed the bark yet. I've
gotten a variety of advice, including leave the bark on and store it in
my garage (as the summer heat will probably be a bad idea).

Also, there is some concern due to the phenolic compounds found in the
wood.

Any advice on how to properly store this, best way to work it, and will
the LDD technique work with it etc?

Thanks,
Phil

I had a minor rash on my arms a few weeks ago after turning some Macassar
Ebony. A couple of applications of 5% cortisone cream took care of it. I
cleaned up a bit in my shop Saturday, which included emptying my shop vac
(which still contained some of the dust and shavings). Well, guess what?
My rash is back. I was only out there a few minutes, was wearing a short
sleeve T-shirt. I had already had a shower that morning and didn't bother
to take another. I really didn't think I got that much dust on my arms. I
think skipping the shower may have been my undoing.

Barry


"rick pixley" wrote in message
. ..
Two members of our club in south florida have had extreme reactions to
silky
oak,,One,the most recent,developed allergies to all wood dust and had to
give up woodturning totally.The other,a close friend of mine, died as a
direct result from exposure to this dust.I wouldn't chance it..Rick
"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
Greetings from a novice bowl turner,

I recently came into a lucky find. A friend wanted to cut down three
large trees in her front yard. I took a few logs to try out, until I
identified the wood. Silky oak (Grevilla robusta), a relative of
LACEWOOD!

Apparently these Australian trees are grown in Aridzona due to their
drought resistance, but either way, I grabbed them all.

I have since sealed the ends (either with the waxy anchor seal or thick
coating of outside latex paint), but not removed the bark yet. I've
gotten a variety of advice, including leave the bark on and store it in
my garage (as the summer heat will probably be a bad idea).

Also, there is some concern due to the phenolic compounds found in the
wood.

Any advice on how to properly store this, best way to work it, and will
the LDD technique work with it etc?

Thanks,
Phil

Barry:

Probably a hot shower is not the best idea either. A cool shower may be what is called for.

As a kid I was not allergic to poison ivy -- I could roll in it and never feel a thing.
About 15 years ago I pulled p/i vines off a tree on a very hot and sweaty type of day and got
a major case. I have no desire to find out if I would get a rash now, though -- an
unanswered question.

I believe that Ivy Block applied to your skin before turning woods to which you are mildly
allergic would be a good idea. But silky oak just isn't worth messing with, I think.

Bill

In article , says...
I had a minor rash on my arms a few weeks ago after turning some Macassar
Ebony. A couple of applications of 5% cortisone cream took care of it. I
cleaned up a bit in my shop Saturday, which included emptying my shop vac
(which still contained some of the dust and shavings). Well, guess what?
My rash is back. I was only out there a few minutes, was wearing a short
sleeve T-shirt. I had already had a shower that morning and didn't bother
to take another. I really didn't think I got that much dust on my arms. I
think skipping the shower may have been my undoing.

Barry


"rick pixley" wrote in message
. ..
Two members of our club in south florida have had extreme reactions to
silky
oak,,One,the most recent,developed allergies to all wood dust and had to
give up woodturning totally.The other,a close friend of mine, died as a
direct result from exposure to this dust.I wouldn't chance it..Rick
"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
Greetings from a novice bowl turner,

I recently came into a lucky find. A friend wanted to cut down three
large trees in her front yard. I took a few logs to try out, until I
identified the wood. Silky oak (Grevilla robusta), a relative of
LACEWOOD!

Apparently these Australian trees are grown in Aridzona due to their
drought resistance, but either way, I grabbed them all.

I have since sealed the ends (either with the waxy anchor seal or thick
coating of outside latex paint), but not removed the bark yet. I've
gotten a variety of advice, including leave the bark on and store it in
my garage (as the summer heat will probably be a bad idea).

Also, there is some concern due to the phenolic compounds found in the
wood.

Any advice on how to properly store this, best way to work it, and will
the LDD technique work with it etc?

Thanks,
Phil

Here's my story sad but true ....... sounds like a song.
Well one dark and stormy night, no, no. Acually it was a turning class
during the summer. I had short sleves and shorts on. I was having fun
making the shaveings that piled up on my hands and arms while makeing my
first bowl. Nature called and off to the restroom I went brushing of the
shaveings. After the rest room I finished my bowl. The next morning
everything down below was swollen my forarms in peticular were red and
iching. Spent a few miserable weeks with calamine lotion and trying not to
scratch. looked like poison oak. Down below was in bad shape too. Once I
got over it I was ok. Don't know what happened to the bowl may it burn in
he........ The big lesson I preach to people is when turning new stuff have
long sleves rolled down and wash your hands BEFORE useing the rest room. I
have gotten into the habit of scrubbing my hands when called for dinner or
if I am going to be away from the lathe for andy length of time and
especilly if nature calls.

Bruce
"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
Greetings from a novice bowl turner,

I recently came into a lucky find. A friend wanted to cut down three
large trees in her front yard. I took a few logs to try out, until I
identified the wood. Silky oak (Grevilla robusta), a relative of
LACEWOOD!

Apparently these Australian trees are grown in Aridzona due to their
drought resistance, but either way, I grabbed them all.

I have since sealed the ends (either with the waxy anchor seal or thick
coating of outside latex paint), but not removed the bark yet. I've
gotten a variety of advice, including leave the bark on and store it in
my garage (as the summer heat will probably be a bad idea).

Also, there is some concern due to the phenolic compounds found in the
wood.

Any advice on how to properly store this, best way to work it, and will
the LDD technique work with it etc?

Thanks,
Phil

"." wrote:

Australian Silky Oak (Grevilla robusta), can be VERY dangerous, Cover your
arms against dust and wear Dust protection when ever you work with it.
(Green or Dry).
I know two woodturners who both were able to turn it till the cows came
home, here are their stories.

"A" had been turning Silky Oak for years and loved the look it gave him till
one weekend He turned some on the Saturday, and like usual not taking any
special care after all it did not effect him, and everything was normal on
Sunday he went to finish the Job he was doing, next thing he knew he was in
intensive care fighting for his life.

"T" even after knowing "A's" Story bragged that Silky Oak did not effect him
and he could turn it with no effect 4 years later he now loses his sence of
taste and smell for 3 days after turning the wood even though he now wears a
full resperator AND a secondary mask under the resporator.

That said it does work well and has some interesting grain.


Joy. This is a lot of gorgeous wood, I'd hate to have to throw it away.
That said, I don't want to screw up my life over some wood.

Further advice other than just "Throw it away" would be nice. Also, once
turned and dried, I assume you have to epoxy seal it if you want to use
it for a working cup or bowl? Or is that not even safe?

Phil

I Never said to just THROW it away.
With this wood it is only the sap and the DUST (Dry or Green) that is
harmful once finished even with oil it becomes very useful.
I do turn Silky Oak but am VERY aware of the risks and the fact that the
harmful part of the wood can build up in the body.
"T" still turns it and makes useful items from it, he just takes extra care.

When using silky oak cover up both the skin and the lungs, enjoy the wood
and the grain of the final object.

Better to be fore warned than sorry.

"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
"." wrote:

Australian Silky Oak (Grevilla robusta), can be VERY dangerous, Cover
your
arms against dust and wear Dust protection when ever you work with it.
(Green or Dry).
I know two woodturners who both were able to turn it till the cows came
home, here are their stories.

"A" had been turning Silky Oak for years and loved the look it gave him
till
one weekend He turned some on the Saturday, and like usual not taking any
special care after all it did not effect him, and everything was normal
on
Sunday he went to finish the Job he was doing, next thing he knew he was
in
intensive care fighting for his life.

"T" even after knowing "A's" Story bragged that Silky Oak did not effect
him
and he could turn it with no effect 4 years later he now loses his sence
of
taste and smell for 3 days after turning the wood even though he now
wears a
full resperator AND a secondary mask under the resporator.

That said it does work well and has some interesting grain.


Joy. This is a lot of gorgeous wood, I'd hate to have to throw it away.
That said, I don't want to screw up my life over some wood.

Further advice other than just "Throw it away" would be nice. Also, once
turned and dried, I assume you have to epoxy seal it if you want to use
it for a working cup or bowl? Or is that not even safe?

Phil

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I may even invest in a triton air
respirator.

I realize that YOU weren't the one to say toss it out, but a few of the
other replies did.

Any other advice on working it green? Does it warp a lot?

Phil

When turning it Green any good dust mask will do but once it is dry and you
are sanding the Triton or one like it with a Very Fine filter is a MUST.
The main problem with Green silky is skin irritation here in Aust some
people can not even touch a growing Grivillea, so unless you know it does
not effect you cover up and wash exposed areas ASAP after turning.
"T" has some success in rough turning then FREEZING and defrosting in the
fridge, before finish turning (he then carves his peices to remove any
flaws). using this method "T's" bowls do not appear to move much.
(for Phill Photos of "T's" bowls can be supplied upon request)

"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I may even invest in a triton air
respirator.

I realize that YOU weren't the one to say toss it out, but a few of the
other replies did.

Any other advice on working it green? Does it warp a lot?

Phil

I would throw it out. It is stupid to risk your health for a hobby.

AZCRAIG

www.azcraig.us

Joy. This is a lot of gorgeous wood, I'd hate to have to throw it away.
That said, I don't want to screw up my life over some wood.

Further advice other than just "Throw it away" would be nice. Also, once
turned and dried, I assume you have to epoxy seal it if you want to use
it for a working cup or bowl? Or is that not even safe?

Phil

a single piece of silky oak cost me $300 in doctor's bills and several weeks
of a spectacular rash - beware


"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
Greetings from a novice bowl turner,

I recently came into a lucky find. A friend wanted to cut down three
large trees in her front yard. I took a few logs to try out, until I
identified the wood. Silky oak (Grevilla robusta), a relative of
LACEWOOD!

Apparently these Australian trees are grown in Aridzona due to their
drought resistance, but either way, I grabbed them all.

I have since sealed the ends (either with the waxy anchor seal or thick
coating of outside latex paint), but not removed the bark yet. I've
gotten a variety of advice, including leave the bark on and store it in
my garage (as the summer heat will probably be a bad idea).

Also, there is some concern due to the phenolic compounds found in the
wood.

Any advice on how to properly store this, best way to work it, and will
the LDD technique work with it etc?

Thanks,
Phil

Maybe not, but probably better than no shower at all. The only time I had
had a problem with a wood allergy was back in the summer with the same wood.
I was wearing a short sleeve T-shirt, hot and sweaty with shaving clinging
to both arms for several hours. But I only got a mild rash that quickly
cleared with some 5% cortisone cream.

With poison ivy, I hear it takes a "sensitizing exposure" to set your body
up for some real fun the next time you come into contact. Apparently with
you, it took several "sensitizing exposures". The stuff doesn't bother me
either.......but I try to stay away from it. I figure sooner or later I'll
get hold of a turning blank that had the stuff all over it and I'll get a
dose and a half.

Barry



"Bill Rubenstein" wrote in message
. net...
Barry:

Probably a hot shower is not the best idea either. A cool shower may be
what is called for.

As a kid I was not allergic to poison ivy -- I could roll in it and never
feel a thing.
About 15 years ago I pulled p/i vines off a tree on a very hot and sweaty
type of day and got
a major case. I have no desire to find out if I would get a rash now,
though -- an
unanswered question.

I believe that Ivy Block applied to your skin before turning woods to
which you are mildly
allergic would be a good idea. But silky oak just isn't worth messing
with, I think.

Bill

In article ,
says...
I had a minor rash on my arms a few weeks ago after turning some
Macassar
Ebony. A couple of applications of 5% cortisone cream took care of it.
I
cleaned up a bit in my shop Saturday, which included emptying my shop
vac
(which still contained some of the dust and shavings). Well, guess
what?
My rash is back. I was only out there a few minutes, was wearing a
short
sleeve T-shirt. I had already had a shower that morning and didn't
bother
to take another. I really didn't think I got that much dust on my arms.
I
think skipping the shower may have been my undoing.

Barry


"rick pixley" wrote in message
. ..
Two members of our club in south florida have had extreme reactions to
silky
oak,,One,the most recent,developed allergies to all wood dust and had
to
give up woodturning totally.The other,a close friend of mine, died as
a
direct result from exposure to this dust.I wouldn't chance it..Rick
"Copernicus Skygazer" wrote in message
...
Greetings from a novice bowl turner,

I recently came into a lucky find. A friend wanted to cut down three
large trees in her front yard. I took a few logs to try out, until I
identified the wood. Silky oak (Grevilla robusta), a relative of
LACEWOOD!

Apparently these Australian trees are grown in Aridzona due to their
drought resistance, but either way, I grabbed them all.

I have since sealed the ends (either with the waxy anchor seal or
thick
coating of outside latex paint), but not removed the bark yet. I've
gotten a variety of advice, including leave the bark on and store it
in
my garage (as the summer heat will probably be a bad idea).

Also, there is some concern due to the phenolic compounds found in
the
wood.

Any advice on how to properly store this, best way to work it, and
will
the LDD technique work with it etc?

Thanks,
Phil