Turning salted silver birch

Hello Michael,

I must say I feel quite sorry for you to be suffering with this and no hope of a qick cure.

I can only imagine that with the combination of fungal wood rot and the high intensity of

sap or the remains of, has done this to you. How long since thE felling of the Birch to

you using it?

I watched a pole lathe user at a wood-fest at the Arboretum near Cirencester a few years

ago, and he covered up completely cov\eralls, face mask and gloves, because of the toxic

sap being emitted of which there was a plenty.

Derek.

I was wondering what Salted silver birch was but reading Derek's reply realised it should have been Spalted.

I can see you being told to either give up using some woods or as Derek pointed out about the chap at the woodfest in as much that you will need to cover up more with better protection.

Also better extraction in the shed not just a source. Making sure it extracts dust to the outside.

There are some really nasty timbers out there but its sometimes the ones you take for granted which cause the most problems! Whenever I use a spalted timber or work with yew or Laburnum I always cover up. Dust mask, eye protection and gloves as much as poss. I don't suffer with dermatitis but I have had tingly hands after working with yew without gloves. I hope this helps. Have you looked into an airshield dust mask?