Thread: I've got a problem with Silky Oak

Bob, Got some pics of the silky oak? The timber being from Kilcoy I would say it is the southern variety that lines most of the streets ok Kilcoy. Damien.

Hi B.O.B.

Sorry to here about your allergy to Silky Oak, it seems to be very common.

Refer to old post. http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=22853 Please note, that before reading, that an old friend to many members that has since passed away contributed to this.

Refer also:
http://www.allallergy.net/fapaidfind.cfm?cdeoc=5264
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/s/silk...ning/intro.htm

And many more if you "Google" Silky Oak.

Bob, that sounds like 2 warning shots over your bow!! Both times you've been working with silky oak, just moving the slabs, and both times you've been off to the Doctor for some serious needle jabs. Are you sure you want to keep working this particular lot of silky oak????? (assuming it is the silky oak causing you to react like this) Have you ever had this reaction to silky oak before, or any other timber for that matter?

Scared...

Wendy

I'll post some pictures in a couple of days. I am one of those people who have to go away to work during the week.

It is Sourhern Silky Oak and there are some slabs with nice figure.

It seems to me that my allergy problem is not to all timbers. I often work with Qld Maple, Tassie Oak etc without any problems. I do have issues with Mango as well. The fruit and the wood.

I am hoping that someone might swap some timbers with me.

B.O.B.

Originally Posted by B.O.B.

I'll post some pictures in a couple of days. I am one of those people who have to go away to work during the week.

It is Sourhern Silky Oak and there are some slabs with nice figure.

It seems to me that my allergy problem is not to all timbers. I often work with Qld Maple, Tassie Oak etc without any problems. I do have issues with Mango as well. The fruit and the wood.

I am hoping that someone might swap some timbers with me.

B.O.B.

Allergy to silky oak seems to be quite common. I get a bit of an itch, but we can't use it for demos at the WT group, as some folk get affected even sitting at the back.

More important, allergies can build up with exposure, so if you are reacting that badly, I would suggest you (get someone to help you) get rid of it PDQ, before it does you a nasty.

I'd volunteer if I was closer

regards

BOB, I'm just coming to realise I am a bit affected by Silky Oak. Recently I have had to play with some and it doesn't hit me as bad as you, but I feel I may have a problem with it.

My eye's just water and my nose runs, depending on how much I get, my eye's start to sting, but that's about it. The worst I've had, I came home from milling and the boss thought I'd been stung in the face by hornets or something. For me it's been so mild that it's taken me 5 years to realise I might have a bit of a problem with SO. I still cut it for jobs, I'm still not 100% if it's Silky or just the wind in the wrong direction, I figure if I have a turn like your's I'll give away Silky all together, having two episodes - I'd say that's pretty lucky/unlucky.

The old wood cutters called it white oak disease so I was told.
I have had several employees that couldn't touch Grevilea robusta (Silky Oak)
A friend worked on the trees for years with no problems then developed rashes, it got worse over time and now all Grevileas do it to him.
It's the leaves bark and wood even dry dead leaves. I believe the tree makes these toxins to knock out competition in the forest.

Get someone else to remove the wood and sweep the area before you go near it again.

Whenever I cut silky over here which is not often I wear a respirator. I was warned years ago that its sawdust is an incarcogen. Dont know if its true but would like to know if anyone knows for sure

some people react badly to it.

my retailers in the us wonttake any as it causes so mutch trouble.

i might be willing to sawp. what do u want and how mutch do u have?

nifty ,glen k hit it on the head Grevillia robusta is widely planted in the suburbs of melbourne and a lot of people are allergic to it in varying degrees you might want to think of getting an epi-pen. they are a pen filled with adrenilan you can administer yourself or take carl up on his offer or get a full cover suit and breathing gear to work on it. As for it being carcinogenic i don't know a bout silky oak but blackwood is definitly in that class

Originally Posted by weisyboy

some people react badly to it.

my retailers in the us wonttake any as it causes so mutch trouble.

i might be willing to sawp. what do u want and how mutch do u have?

Weisyboy
I have about a dozen slabs of various thickness. (roughly 38mm to 65 mm). Lengths are 1.5 to 3.5 m (mostly around 2 metres).

I have waxed the ends and sprayed them with kero and a chemical to kill borers.

I am not overly concerned about timber species but would prefer it not be camphor laurel.

ill see what i got lying round.

how wide are they?

any cracking?

sell it on ebay ,sells easily and for a good price , i have sold heaps of it ..........bob

Have carried one before Charlsie for a bad allergy to bees. Its the best 30 seconds sleep you can get Ireckon but your heart does end up in your throat when you wake up.