Paduak

[Seer]

I picked up this piece of Paduak out of the bargain bin the had small worm holes in it. When I cut it into blanks the inside grain looked like a watercolor that had been splashed with water and varying shdaes from red to a soft pink were in it. Is this normal for Paduak? All the other Paduak I had was straight grained and a solid color.

Oh can Paduak cause migraines.

 

[jkeithrussell]

Padauk is prone to worm holes and various forms of spalting/fungus -- particularly in the sapwood. I like the way it looks when it has those features. Yes, it is a toxic wood. I don't know whether it specifically causes migraines, but I do know that it can cause a reaction that is much like a head cold -- that's what I get when I don't wear my respirator when working with it.

 

[Russianwolf]

What you have is some spaulting. Similar to Ambrosia maple in that it will usually follow the path of the worm holes.

As to causing migranes. Well, woods can cause all kinds of symptoms in people. everyone is a bit different. But yes, all the padauks (Amboyna, Narra, African Padauk, etc.) can cause issues. Get a good dust mask and dust collection and you should eliminate most of the problem.

 

[Seer]

I was doing ok till yesterday when I bought this piece of wood and then during the night I had a vicious headache and now I feel like my head is in a vice and this was just from touching it or could be dust from the bargain bin since there was a lot of this in there. Going to have to get a dust mask, Harbor Freight here I come.

 

[jkeithrussell]

I was doing ok till yesterday when I bought this piece of wood and then during the night I had a vicious headache and now I feel like my head is in a vice and this was just from touching it or could be dust from the bargain bin since there was a lot of this in there. Going to have to get a dust mask, Harbor Freight here I come.

Claritin helps me with the symptoms.

For the mask, you really need a half-face (or half-mask) respirator with organic vapor filters. There are a lot of places online where you can buy them for $40 or less. Search "organic + vapor" on this site and you will find some links.