Wood, What Wood ??

[issatree]

Hi to You All,
I wood like to make a Baby Rattle, which will have 3 Captured Rings, for a little Friend, whose Birthday is coming up.
What I wood appreciate, is your opinion as to what Wood I may use.
Of course I have made them in the past, using Cypress, Cotoneaster Etc.
They are all finished in Soy Bean Oil & Beeswax, so they are chewable, suckable, & whatever the Child maybe able to do with it.

[issatree]

Hi Again,
Well, I thought out of the 76 lookers, somebody wood have had an opinion of what wood they wood use for this Babies Rattle.
Maybe because I stated that I have already used some Woods that I seem to know it all.
Wrong ???.
I was actually asking what you think maybe a Good Wood.

[Hermit]

Hi Again,
Well, I thought out of the 76 lookers, somebody wood have had an opinion of what wood they wood use for this Babies Rattle.
Maybe because I stated that I have already used some Woods that I seem to know it all.
Wrong ???.
I was actually asking what you think maybe a Good Wood.

Lewis, compared to me, you really do know it all. I'm one of the 76 who read your first post, but didn't feel myself qualified to suggest anything.

If I had to choose from the timbers I have here, it'd be NGR. Not too hard or heavy, but not too soft and reasonably strong. Looks pretty good to boot.
I'm looking forward to others' suggestions too.

Edit: Laminated, contrasting timbers would also look good.

[Mobyturns]

You probably didn't get many replies because this topic routinely comes up.

Try your local library for "Wood in Australia" by Keith R. Bootle. From memory there are recommendations for woods in various applications.

Personally I would be sticking to blander proven timbers like Hoop Pine or Radiata Pine and avoiding any timber with strong scents or any natural oils.

[smiife]

Hi Again
Well, I thought out of the 76 lookers, somebody wood have had an opinion of what wood they wood use for this Babies Rattle.
Maybe because I stated that I have already used some Woods that I seem to know it all.
Wrong ???.
I was actually asking what you think maybe a Good Wood.

Hi Issatree,
Yeah , I was one of the lookers too, and I guess
there Is a bit of concern when asked to comment
on something which Is for a wee baby, if a suggestion
was made and god forbid something bad happened
how would a person feel? I just think that might be
the reason for the lack of suggestions:U
Personally I would not be prepared to make something
like a rattle,,,,, sorry maybe It, s just me:no:
Or maybe it, s the world we live in now!

[Christos]

Thinking about this and the most least to answer so I will just ask are there any toxic woods that should be avoided. Something that would cause digestive or skin issues.

[issatree]

Hi All,
Well, it is all done & dusted, as The Rattle is finished.
I picked out a piece of wood cut the end off & it turned out to be Linden, received from a friend from Mt. Macedon.
Did a reasonable job, but the Rings could have been done a little better.
Finished with my mixture of Soy Bean Oil & Beeswax, making it non toxic, so my little friend can suck & chew all he wants.

[Mobyturns]

Thinking about this and the most least to answer so I will just ask are there any toxic woods that should be avoided. Something that would cause digestive or skin issues.

There are general lists of toxic woods about, but a wood not being on the list does not necessarily mean it is "safe". Perhaps "unknown" would be a wiser description if not on the list.

I would be very hesitant to recommend any wood as being safe given the rise in allergies in the general population. Its all about risk management these days. If you stick to the known "safer" woods from well documented sources you can at least show it was considered and that you acted in good faith. Timbers like hoop pine have been in use for centuries in food utensils, paddle pop sticks etc, so one could consider with confidence that they are "safe to use." Other thing to consider if turners intend to retail or wholesale items is that there are actually toy standards that prohibit certain materials & designs for various age groups.

I seem to remember a comment somewhere that was generally along the lines of "nothing is safe to all, you just haven't met the person allergic to it yet."

[Hermit]

Hi All,
Well, it is all done & dusted, as The Rattle is finished.
I picked out a piece of wood cut the end off & it turned out to be Linden, received from a friend from Mt. Macedon.
Did a reasonable job, but the Rings could have been done a little better.
Finished with my mixture of Soy Bean Oil & Beeswax, making it non toxic, so my little friend can suck & chew all he wants.

Do we get to see it?

[issatree]

Sorry Steve,
As much as I wood like to show it, I will need more lessons on how to go about it. The Grey Matter above just doesn't want to cooperate.

[Treecycle]

Have a read through this (http://www.woodworkforums.com/168803-uploading-photos-attachments/) and see if it helps.

[Hermit]

Sorry Steve,
As much as I wood like to show it, I will need more lessons on how to go about it. The Grey Matter above just doesn't want to cooperate.

PM sent, with my crude instructions, (before Dallas replied with a link to the 'real' instructions.)

Wouldn't it be nice if the VBulletin software would allow us to simply 'drag' a pic onto our reply? (Just tried it in case - no go.) Maybe in some future VBulletin upgrade?

[issatree]

Hi to you all,
One of the most pleasing sights was the little Fella getting his Rattle, & the 1st. thing he did was to put it in his Mouth.

In all the 3 Ringed Rattles, that I have made, & there has been very many, that is the 1st. time I have ever seen that happen. Parents were rather Happy Too.

Really pleases ones heart.