Working with cocobolo?

D

DustinHall

Joined
Dec 31, 2008
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I've never worked with it and I'd like to know if there are any hazards associated with the dust and what the best way to finish it is. Thanks.
 
Wood dust is a carcinogen. All of it. In addition to this some have other nasties and toxicities. Always protect yourself from wood dust.
 
There are toxins in Cocobolo which do not affect everyone the same way.

Some develop respiratory difficulties when breathing even small amounts of
the dust.

Some seem to be unaffected.

Others develop a skin sensitivity which causes itching...sometimes severe.

I've stopped working with it entirely, because of the itching.

It can be a very beautiful wood, though. It's a waxy wood. Just hand
sand to 1200/1500x, and buff lightly to really bring out the color.

It tends to be pretty stable, and dosen't benefit from acrilic stabilization.
 
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Might try sanding a corner of it and rubbing the dust on your arm to see if you have a reaction. Some folks are super sensitive to it. I got a splinter from one board and have decided that I shall never use it.
 
I love cocobolo! That being said, it can be dangerous. The first time I worked with it, I didn't research any toxicity data, and found myself with a fairly severe (like pneumonia) chest infection that lasted about 3 weeks. Needless to say, I upgraded my respirator and dust collection equipment. It did make my skin a little itchy, but nothing severe...at worst, small hives that cleared up about an hour after a shower. But as it has been said, everyone is different in their reaction. It's worth noting that Cocobolo dust is a sensitizer, meaning that if you aren't allergic to it naturally, exposure to it will make you allergic. Hope this helps.

-Mark
 
In addition to the hazards mentioned, cocobolo is also a sensitizier. In some people, an allergy is developed with repeated exposure. There was a well known knifemaker back in the 80's who had worked with cocobolo extensively, then suddenly sensitized and ended up in the hospital nearly dead with pulmonary edema.

In addition to personal protection like a well-fitted chemical respirator and long sleeves, clean up the area well after use, change clothes, and wash any exposed areas. Don't let the lovely fragrance deceive you.

Andy has it quite right...all wood dust should be considered a hazard. For that matter, all handle material should be worked with good care for personal protection.

Edited to add: Mark posted while I was typing. Sound advice.
 
I really love using Cocobolo though. And Paduk too. Paduk is toxic too. And I can't get enough of it.

I've come to really detest Ironwood. Constantly clogging my files and belts. But those are other kinds of matters...

Here is a pretty good resource on wood dust toxicity.

http://www.woodturner.org/resources/toxicity.cfm
 
We tend to forget that trees are chemical factories that produce compounds that act as pesticides and herbicides to protect themselves in their environment. These are just as toxic as the manmade stuff. The tropical woods we tend to favor are even more loaded with crap because of the extreme competition in their settings. That said, I knew a cabinetmaker who spent his life working typical American soft and hardwoods and he ended up dying of emphysema without ever smoking a day in his life, entirely due to the dust exposure from his work. I own his dust collector, which he failed to use adequately.

Another concern for those working in a basement shop is that the dust they generate can get all over the house and expose other inhabitants. No one, I'm sure, wants to contribute to any health issues for their wife, kids, pets, etc.

Something I have picked up on from Karl Andersen is to use rasps, files, and sandpaper to shape handles, and avoid the use of power equipment wherever possible. The dust is coarser for the most part and the exposure is thus lessened. It has the side benefit of not heating up the wood, and shrinkage is reduced and stability enhanced.
 
Apart from the above which is very important, it smells like horse $4!t. I use a respirator know when I work with it. I also put a fan and keep my garage door open.
 
Many people do not use it because it WILL darken over time through oxidation.....
Matt Doyle
 
panch0 said:
Apart from the above which is very important, it smells like horse $4!t. I use a respirator know when I work with it. I also put a fan and keep my garage door open.
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That's interesting. The cocobolo I have worked with has all had a sort of sweet, clove-y fragrance to it that I found quite pleasant.

I wonder how much different growing conditions affect the nature of the odor from board to board? Certainly, human perceptions of odor differ widely from person to person.

Ironwoood always smells unpleasant to me. I have a basement shop, and it used to take 5 minutes of working it before my wife was in the shop, "You're working with that nasty wood again, aren't you? Smells like dirty feet!" After a few times of that I went out looking for a dust system. LOL
 
fitzo said:
That's interesting. The cocobolo I have worked with has all had a sort of sweet, clove-y fragrance to it that I found quite pleasant.

I wonder how much different growing conditions affect the nature of the odor from board to board? Certainly, human perceptions of odor differ widely from person to person.

Ironwoood always smells unpleasant to me. I have a basement shop, and it used to take 5 minutes of working it before my wife was in the shop, "You're working with that nasty wood again, aren't you? Smells like dirty feet!" After a few times of that I went out looking for a dust system. LOL
Click to expand...

Cause of that same reason I am looking for a dust system as well. My wife dislikes micarta, and cocobolo. She doesn't know what they are but that they stink
 
DustinHall said:
I've never worked with it and I'd like to know if there are any hazards associated with the dust and what the best way to finish it is. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Don't let it touch your skin or breath it and you'll be fine!

Dust collection can give you a false sense of security too, unless it's really an industrial setup(many horses impeller, vented outside or through true hepa filter and with properly sized and setup intakes) the extreme fines can just be stirred up, these are the particles you don't even notice but they will take residence in your lungs and in your pores.

As for finishing, sanded to a high grit and a touch of wax is all that it takes to look good, CA works good too, everything else you should probably wipe it down with acetone first.

I like the way it looks when it gets dark, looks real 'deep' with a nice finish.
 
I have always liked the smell of cocobolo. I always thought it had a sweet spicy smell. Is hair growing on the outside of your nose a reaction to using it? Ironwood smells just like the stuff the neighbor's dog leaves in the backyard.
 
I love cocobolo, I'm very careful about dust control and cleaning the areas and myself after I use it. Spalted woods can be very dangerous, several years ago the editor for a wood working journal died from lung infections caused by the bacteria in spalted wood.
 
I really like cocobolo but I hate working with it. The dust makes me itch. It really is a sensitizer too. I never had problems with any wood until I started using that stuff, now most wood dust gives me problems if I take my respirator off.

I actually like the smell of it.
 
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