Wenge and Padauk

[PoolGate]

I just completed this piece for an art show/sale. Came out pretty good. This is the last project I will make with exotic wood. I again suffered an allergic reaction in the same places. I'll skip the Dr this time though since I know the drill.

Box is Wenge with Padauk accent pieces. Interior is sleeved with Maple and the dividers and lift out tray are also Maple. Box and tray are lined with black suede. Brusso stop hinges and humidor style lockset. Finished in polyurethane.

Thoughts?

 

[Texas Splash]

That's very nice work.

 

[kimkats]

You did that ?? SKILLS! WOW!

Sad to have a reaction to the wood though Is it a contact reaction or an airway reaction?

Kim

 

[PoolGate]

You did that ?? SKILLS! WOW!

Sad to have a reaction to the wood though Is it a contact reaction or an airway reaction?

Kim

Thank you Kim!

Seems to be systemic. I went to the Dr last time and they felt it was systemic (gave me oral steroids). Primarily I get a rash in the insides of my elbows and back of my neck. Manifests like sunburn and takes a good month to totally clear up. I am wearing a respirator style mask but I suspect it leaks and/or I am not wearing it enough. In any case, I am going back to good 'old Maple, Cherry, Walnut, etc and staying away from "exotics". Last time it was Leopardwood that cause the reaction. I cleaned everything out of my dust collection system but it is possible I reacted again to the Leopardwood that maybe wasn't all cleaned up. I didn't really care about the Leopardwood as it is a difficult wood to work with but I really like the Wenge and not many woods are orange like the Padauk. Wenge is a fairly well-known allergen wood though. Splinters from it go septic in most people.

 

[Jimrahbe]

PG,

Very nice...

I hear you on the allergic reaction.. I will cough for a week or two after I work with walnut.

Have you ever tried using Pre-Catalyzed lacquer applied using a spray gun? I know it makes cherry and walnut really pop and dries fast and hard. When I was doing wood working I used it all the time with a cheap HVLP set up. I love it.

Jim R.

 

[kimkats]

I am sorry it made you react but man is it pretty!!!!

 

[Arizonarob]

Nice work PG. Have you ever considered making humidors for cigars? I know back east they fetch big $$$ as it’s a serious display piece.

 

[PoolGate]

Nice work PG. Have you ever considered making humidors for cigars? I know back east they fetch big $$$ as it’s a serious display piece.

It's on the list. I have all the parts just need to dedicate some time to making one. Basically the same design as this box just sized properly for cigars, cedar sleeving and a few extra specialty trays and supports.