Symptoms of Blackwood allergy?

[carrie]

I use these on my cocus, and my Blackwood flutes. Flute Lip Plate Shields. I get mine from Sweetwater, but they're available on Amazon. Easy to clean and sterilize (in case it is a cold or cold sore virus). Reduces contact with the flute. YMMV.

Bob

Thanks so much for this recommendation. So far, so good! And happy new year!

[PB+J]

I worked with Cocobolo for a while. Beautiful wood, before long it got to the point where I was sneezing with a runny nose and then with unpleasant symptoms that felt like poisoning--mild feverishness, respiratory restriction. Needless to say I quit working with it. A while ago I found a small piece of scrap and sanded it to fit at the heel cap on a classical guitar--symptoms started right up.

So far nothing from blackwood, but it confirms my sense that delrin is underrated

[Terry McGee]

And so you can see why I run 3 dust extractors in my workshop, hooked up by a network of pipes and gates to 16 inlets, one or more on every machine. I haven't suffered from any contact issues with flutes, but the dust is a killer, promoting a reaction they term "Snivelling Conjunctivitis".

It's assumed that these timbers came up with these horrible poisons to keep them safe from insects boring into them. But even so, from time-to-time, we come across the tell-tale signs of where some intrepid bug has managed to penetrate the defences.

And the mopane tree has a grub that eats its leaves, and is highly prized in Africa as a source of tasty protein. You'll find recipes on the web...

[Steve Bliven]

And the mopane tree has a grub that eats its leaves, and is highly prized in Africa as a source of tasty protein. You'll find recipes on the web...

Note to self: Don't read C&F right after breakfast.

Best wishes.

Steve