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I was making the bridge for my guitar and was even wearing a mask while chiseling. The second I took the mask off to leave the shop, I started sneezing, my eyes started to water and my throat sarted to get itchy. Any one else have any allergic reactions to cocobolo?

Oval: I've never worked with Cocobolo so not sure about my self but am sure the line up for folks that have had reactions is quite long. You are not alone...!
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Yup, and I quit using it.

Me too. I was resawing some, started sneezing and noticed my throat swelling. I got out of the shop and took some benedryl. A doctor told me the next reaction would probably be worse. My Wife and Dad cleaned all the dust as well as the remaining Coco out of my shop. I've now got an Epi pen in my shop in case I have a reaction to something else.

Be careful everyone.





Edited for spelling.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Not yet, but it's just a matter of time...

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

So far, so good for me, but I take care when using cocobolo. I love the stuff & want to keep being able to use it.
Ebony makes me sneeze & brings on a headache, Yellow sirus just about kills me. Eyes & nose run like a fawcet & i start to wheeze in a matter of minutes. Not bad except when I have to re-saw the stuff. Don't actually think I'm gonna do that again.
Cover up & protect yourself from the dust. Some folks can't even tolerate being in the same room with unfinished coco lumber.

I was tested a few years ago and found out I was allergic to just about everything yet I did do some coco once. I choose not to get near it again. I think my luck may run out. Like Todd Ebony gets me

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Arguing for your limits now are we?


be
Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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I was using coco as binding and didn't think much of it - then I got a "summer cold' - but it did not go away, especially after I had done some sanding - now I am convinced - never again, and the respirator is in use no matter what sanding I am doing. Lesson learned. Bill

coco just gets to my nose a bit, like snuff or pepper.
one thing i didn't like about it is i built an elec lap steel solid bod, with a coocoo fretboard,
and i wanted a finish on that fretboard,
and the oil poly finish didn't dry, after 3 weeks.
redid the whole thing with w b lacquer (?)
by the way, why do they call that lacquer?
never could quite get that.

Just being realistic.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Ah yes the old Cocobolo dust will get ya. I love the stuff myself, in fact I prefer it for fretboards over any other, yes the oils in the wood make it hard to use for finishing and gluing, but there are ways around it. It'll stain your hands orange too!

I also use a lot of Ebony and am starting to use Wenge one piece neck thrus on my basses.
The dust from these three will get ya.

I've heard of people getting sinus infection with mycobacterium (same genus as tuberculosis) that gets into these hardwoods, and can remain in dust on shop floors for a long period of time.

Cover up and keep building!

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http://www.aecustomguitars.com

Coco is maybe the most sensitizing, or whatever the word is - let's say trigger happy - of woods. Forced air respirators are good investments!

Peace,
Sanaka

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...imagine there were no hypothetical situations...

The only wood that gives me a problem is cedar, both dust and slivers. Rather than develop a sensitivity to others, I try to wear a respirator whenever working any kind of wood.

Bob

I guess I am lucky, I have no problems with it what so ever. But then, I can roll around in a poison ivy patch and never get an itch too!

I've had no trouble with allergic reactions from Coco after 20+ years of using it.
BUT let a Wasp sting me & it's a ambulance ride to the care center!
Go figure!

Mike

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Mike Collins

Same with me Mike. I have asthma, and am allergic to nearly everything plant related, tree pollens, grasses, etc. No reactions to woods of any kind, so far, including Cocobolo. CA glue, however, will cause me three days of asthma attacks, congestion and breathing difficulty. I have to mask up and leave the shop when done, for several hours. Might as well use some other glue.

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Waddy -where you live there must be lots of plant pollens!!
I hate CA!
But have to use it once in awhile.
I try NOT to use it if I can !
The accelerator bothers me-just the smell!!

Mike

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Mike Collins

The first month of spring around here, everything turns yellow, from the oak catkins. I have swept up as much as 10, 50 gallon bags just in the gutters along my two streets (I live on a corner). Funny thing is, I only have one small oak tree in my back yard. But, my neighbors!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

At Ken's request, above, I will note that spalted mango is the only wood that has caused the typical histamine reaction for me. So, I figure it is dowhill from there for me on many woods-at least, I now keep an awareness of it.