Toxic-allergic woods used by archery people

[UserNameTaken]

I saw a hazmat suit on craigslist a while back. I almost bought it.

[toomanyknots]

I thought I didn't have any problems, even having asthma. Ipe didn't do anything to me, I am in fact used to it, and don't mind it at all. Until I started bandsawing up ERC, I hate working that stuff now. It kills my asthma. The faint smell lingers for like a month all over my house it seems, or something. And I know it smells really good for the most part, but for some reason it just gets to me and seems to make me sick too.

[huisme]

Black locust is slightly carcinogenic, and beyond that it gives me a sinus infection every time I skip the mask for prolonged sanding.

[Del the cat]

I saw a hazmat suit on craigslist a while back. I almost bought it.

That would make a great picture... guy working a stave dressed in full suit 
maybe even a full space suit.
Hey we should put together a project plan to research zero gravity bow making in the International Space Station...
Make a flight bow...  smash a few distance records....  50# @ 28" estimated range 3 lightyears 
Del

[mikekeswick]

Cheap masks are a waste of time as Missilemaster said they only stop the big stuff which isn't much of a problem. a strong fan and good airflow are the keys. Also particle extractors are superb and not that expensive. I leave mine running at night to remove the superfine stuff that hangs in the air.

[Pappy]

Don't have much of a problem,but i work outside 99% of the time,fan running or wind blowing.
  Pappy

[JoJoDapyro]

A good P rated dust mask is inexpensive, and in the long run worth it. I am a certified Fit tester for Respirators. Good air flow is very important, but not protecting yourself is a bit foolhardy. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/wooddust/ I am not the safest guy, I do use chainsaws in shorts and slippers from time to time, I even cut some wood tonight with my circular saw in shorts and flip flops!

[vinemaplebows]

Black Locust, yep that stuff gets to my lungs.

[tattoo dave]

I used to work at a sawmill/woodshop manufacturing type place. We made window and door parts. They always told us any kind of saw dust could possibly cause cancer if enough exposure happens. I always wear a respirator, don't care what type of wood it is. Not only that, but common sense should tell you, any kind of dust in your lungs is probably not a good thing. I also wear a face shield when working the table saw, or any other saw. I've been hit in the face too many times with random flying pieces of wood. I like my eyes in tact.

Tattoo Dave

[Marc St Louis]

My wife says I sweat wood

[Slackbunny]

I get minor throat and eye irritation from hophornbeam dust. I get similar symptoms from cedar dust as well but I don't use that for bows. But I work it commonly for other projects so I thought I'd mention it.

I do nearly all of my bow work with hand tools so I don't create any fine dust until the final sanding. I have a good dust mask and it works very well. Its actually an ATV dusk mask but meets the same standards as other dust masks. Its an RZ mask, and you can buy them online. PM me if you want the website. It is far more comfortable than any other hardware store style dust mask and I highly recommend them. Also working with good ventilation is key.

Also, many irritants that start out mild will over time develop into serious reactions. So don't just shrug them off because they aren't that bad right now. Take the precautions now to prevent unnecessary irritation and that will help ensure that you don't develop more serious allergies at a later date.

[Crogacht]

I get a bit clogged up with elm dust, but the native wood didn't seem to be too bad.

[BOWMAN53]

i have a horrible reaction to osage, it makes my hands orange, then black for days.