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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Lee Robinson . on June 07, 2011, 07:32:00 PM

Title: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: Lee Robinson . on June 07, 2011, 07:32:00 PM
I only worked with these two woods today...and no synthetics, and I got a rash on my neck. It has happened before, but I wasn't able to single anything out as I had worked with too many woods on those days...plus glass and phenolic.

Today though, these were the only two woods I messed with. Of course I realize everyone is different so it could be either, or even both, but I thought I would ask which causes more issues.
Title: Re: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: T Folts on June 07, 2011, 09:50:00 PM
I get a little weird with wenge but havent work with purpleheart. I've heard of other people being sensitive to wenge also.
Title: Re: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: Trux Turning on June 07, 2011, 10:03:00 PM
I hate working with purple heart -makes me itch like crazy.
Title: Re: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: don s on June 07, 2011, 10:13:00 PM
osage sawdust gives me a nasty rash on my arms. also,sinus infections. don
Title: Re: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: Lee Robinson . on June 07, 2011, 10:30:00 PM
Reminds me of poison ivy. Itchy and a slight swelling. Fortunately, wiping down my neck with a damp rag and keeping aloe on it helps a lot.
Title: Re: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: okie64 on June 07, 2011, 10:53:00 PM
I've worked with purpleheart a lot and never had it bother me at all, sure does kill my saw blades though. Never worked with wenge so I cant help you there.
Title: Re: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: arrowhead archer on June 08, 2011, 09:29:00 PM
purpleheart hasn't bothered me when I worke with it. I haven't worked with wenge.
Title: Re: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: kennym on June 08, 2011, 10:49:00 PM
Neither has bothered me, but I would suspect the wenge,if it is as dry and powdery dust as the stuff I had.

Now yew on the other hand..........
Title: Re: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: Dozuki on June 08, 2011, 11:28:00 PM
i have worked with purpleheart and haven't had a problem.  knock on wood
Title: Re: Is it the wenge or the purple heart?
Post by: rainman on June 10, 2011, 10:43:00 PM
I would bet on the Wenge but your body will become desensitized to a lot of woods over time and they will start to bother you.  Coco Bolo does'nt bother me but Walnut will make me sick for a week.