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Ozartisan
3rd February 2010, 10:36 AM
I have been asked to make some bottle stoppers where the wood is likely to come into contact with the contents (probably wine, drinks & who knows what)
Double barrell question for you wise forumites:
Are there any woods with a natural toxicity that I should avoid?
Any suggestions as to a finish? (Needs to be IN the timber rather than ON the timber)

Over to the brains trust!

munruben
3rd February 2010, 01:38 PM
I don't know that I would advise the use of Camphor Laurel. Read this article (http://www.camphorlaurel.com/57reasons.html) but having said that, I have seen many chopping boards made from it.

wheelinround
3rd February 2010, 01:40 PM
Adam here is U-beauts great list of woods and stuff Woodies stuff (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/woodstuf.htm)

Mr Brush
3rd February 2010, 01:46 PM
"black cherry - wheezing, giddiness"

That explains a lot :doh:. It wasn't the 'brown falling over water' after all.......

Thanks for posting - hadn't see that list before.

rsser
3rd February 2010, 01:50 PM
Yes, & a google on 'toxic woods' or 'wood toxicity' will return some sobering results

Allen Neighbors
3rd February 2010, 02:28 PM
Wood to avoid: OP's (other people's) :minigun:
Cocobolo, walnut?, red oak (pores go right through, like straws)

wheelinround
3rd February 2010, 02:36 PM
Wood to avoid: OP's (other people's) :minigun:
Cocobolo, walnut?, red oak (pores go right through, like straws)

Not true I'll take anything Pat's got and he does likewise :;

Ozartisan
3rd February 2010, 03:10 PM
Thanks guys.
Have already looked at Badwoods page - great info but seems to relate to effects of dust rather than any toxic nature of the wood itself.
For finishing - thought perhaps Organoil danish - then wait for the citrus aroma to dissipate... or perhaps just good ole UBeaut traditional wax?

rsser
3rd February 2010, 03:29 PM
wld recommend ubeaut Hard Shellac.

Dilute with meths at around 1:4 for first coat or two, then 1:1

mick61
3rd February 2010, 05:32 PM
G`day I would use any close grained non over smelly wood finish with Beeswax.
Only my opinion.
Mick:D

rsser
3rd February 2010, 05:35 PM
what does ethyl alcohol dissolve is the q'tn

RETIRED
3rd February 2010, 07:49 PM
Your kidneys?:wink:

RedShirtGuy
3rd February 2010, 08:16 PM
Avoid Tiger Woods...unless you don't mind sharing ;)

jimbur
3rd February 2010, 10:02 PM
Adam here is U-beauts great list of woods and stuff Woodies stuff (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/woodstuf.htm)

So the use of teak could be a whole load of b#lls:D

Scribbly Gum
3rd February 2010, 10:31 PM
I'd like to single out Mackay Cedar for special mention.
Known by lots of names it is kindly referred to as sneeze wood.
It is quite nasty and inflames the airway causing racking coughs and intense irritation to the throat and chest.
It also causes skin irritation and rashes as well as being carcinogenic.
It is such a pity because it is such a lovely looking timber with beautiful creamy contrasting sapwood.
There is some discussion on the forum here:
http://www.woodworkforums.com/f67/mackay-cedar-54918/
Regards
SG

Texian
4th February 2010, 05:23 AM
Sounds like these stoppers are for folks who don't know which end of the stopper goes into the bottle. Suggest that you respectfully decline this commission. Make up some clever excuse why you can not do it.

rsser
4th February 2010, 11:25 AM
Your kidneys?:wink:

Sigh. These tea drinkers ;-}

Liver for starters.

It has the capacity for regeneration but if you push beyond this you're in trouble.

Also consistent high use will compromise neurone function, which is why alkies have fekked memories.

And increases the rate of mouth/throat cancer, esp if you also smoke. (cough :- ).

Makes a cuppa tea and a Bex look like health food by comparison.

K, rant over.

Gil Jones
4th February 2010, 12:13 PM
Chinese tallow wood makes my nose and throat BURN with every breath, and the was just from trimming the edges on a tablesaw. I never put it on the lathe, but the wood chunks did make good chocks for the boat trailer wheels.
Gil

Ed Reiss
4th February 2010, 12:57 PM
Hemlock comes to mind.

rsser
4th February 2010, 01:06 PM
Only if you attempt to corrupt youth with IDEAS, Lord forbid ;-}

Frank&Earnest
4th February 2010, 05:09 PM
I apologise in advance if what I say is stupid, but can't see the problem. For centuries alcoholic beverages have been stored in oak barrels. So make the bit that actually comes in contact with the liquid of untreated oak and put on top whatever you want finished whichever way you want. Glued with food safe Titebond II, of course. :D

Frank&Earnest
4th February 2010, 05:11 PM
Only if you attempt to corrupt youth with IDEAS, Lord forbid ;-}

Lucky that 90% of the people on this forum are old fogies, eh Ern?:D

rsser
5th February 2010, 08:46 AM
Yep; incorruptible ;-}

jimbur
5th February 2010, 02:20 PM
Only if you attempt to corrupt youth with IDEAS, Lord forbid ;-}

I'd like to know how Socrates got the youth to listen in the first place, never mind take notice of him:D

rsser
5th February 2010, 02:23 PM
He told them the Naplan tests would be next week, and they'd lose their spot under the tree if the results were more than 10% below the av for the postcode area.

jimbur
5th February 2010, 02:36 PM
He told them the Naplan tests would be next week, and they'd lose their spot under the tree if the results were more than 10% below the av for the postcode area.

They'd have gone to Diogenes instead, being the only bloke with dress sense:D

Frank&Earnest
5th February 2010, 09:59 PM
They'd have gone to Diogenes instead, being the only bloke with dress sense:D

By then they would not have been young anymore. :D

jimbur
5th February 2010, 10:35 PM
By then they would not have been young anymore. :D

Got me over a barrel:D

Eldanos of KDM
5th February 2010, 10:41 PM
Avoid Tiger Woods...unless you don't mind sharing ;)

Brilliant:2tsup:


Oh and don't use camphor. TRUST ME, it flavours the drink (and not well)