ft. ft. The wood … It won't hurt you if it's finished. All Rights Reserved. A purely masculine energy radiates from the wood. dangers associated with "toxic" woods. Prices per bd. Cocobolo dust is a strong sensitizer that can cause severe allergic reactions, so protect your lungs and skin from exposure. I lost my Uncle 3 years ago and my Aunt 8 months ago to lung cancer because of long-term cedar exposure. The wood is very durable and strong, with a fine texture. The oil in the wood can cause allergic reactions if you inhale it or if it lands on your skin or eyes. SKU: hw-co Category: Hardwoods Tags: dense, exotic, hard, highly visible grain, red, strong. But I think Madagascar rosewood is better anyway. Furniture and case goods require a penetrating oil with a wax topcoat. Cocobolo has a bad reputation, but not for its working qualities. John Brock: Cocobolo (dalbergia retusa), like all the members of the dalbergia family (African blackwood, Brazilian rosewood, etc.) Which wouldn't have a finish applied, right? Some people have allergies to it. People have been smoking weed and tobacco etc. out of wooden pipes for thousands of years. We recommend that you wear full protective gear when working with this wood. This guy was knocked out of business for like 6 months while he recovered. Add to cart. Description ; Additional information ; Reviews (0) Description. It really is a thing of beauty and sounds even better than it looks. Facebook 0 Twitter Pinterest 0. Mirrors, musical instruments (except those that touch the lips), jewelry boxes, clock cases, furniture, bowls, and other turnery all suit it. It is one of the more expensive veneers. Cocobolo can cause respiratory and/or dermatological sensitization in certain people. Cocobolo is a tropical hardwood of Central American trees belonging to the genus Dalbergia.Only the heartwood of cocobolo is used; it is usually orange or reddish-brown, often with darker irregular traces weaving through the wood. 2 Cocobolo Wood Pool Cue Blanks Seasoned Lumber 1.5x18 Handles Furnitures Making. All inhaled wood dust is hazardous to your long-term health. contains a resin in the heartwood that inhibits the curing of reactive finishes (like oil varnish). How can I keep my router bushing assembly in place? It is a great alternative to Mahogany. Characteristics Cocobolo is an extremely dense wood, and weighs approximately 68 lbs/cu. Some people are allergic to it. Because of this, as well as its durability, density and color, it is highly demanded for use in the manufacturing of cutlery handles, musical and scientific instruments, jewelry boxes, and specialty wood products. Turners often apply only a cabinetmaker's wax to cocobolo. With either, however, edges dull quickly. Workability: Due to the high oil content found in this wood, it can occasionally cause problems with gluing. Being native to the Pacific areas of Central America, Cocobolo is a very dense wood that resists rot. Cocobolo Wood is probably best known exotic wood for decorative elements like pepper mills, cocobolo jewlery boxes, knife handles, police nightsticks, and even beads, canes, gun grips, guitars and bowling balls. Ethics of selling guitars with Floyd Rose. Free returns. But, you can almost effortlessly bring the wood to a beautiful luster by sanding and polishing. It is decay resistant and generally impervious to insect attack. With age, it darkens. Cocobolo: Another interesting exotic wood, cocobolo is a poisonous tree. Cocobolo’s distinctive characteristic is its production of natural oils, which provides the wood with a natural waterproof polish. Cocobolo prefers the drier, upland savanna country of Central America's Pacific Coast. 26 watchers. Is working with cocobolo dangerous? Cocobolo Wood Veneer is dark red, rose or yellowish brown, with irregular purple or black markings. Cocobolo has great working properties & turns to a naturally glass-like polish. Some people won't be affected by it right away, but the more they work with it, the more it affects them. Because of oils and silica in the wood, you should wipe all joining surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone, and then glue immediately. Cocobolo is a fine-textured, straight-grained wood with occasional interlocked grain. Amid the tree's large, leathery leaves, tiny yellow blooms flower, and then later turn to long, flat seedpods. Comments: Cocobolo Rosewood is a wood that many guitar luthiers continue to turn to, as the remaining remnants of Brazilian Rosewood in the US disappear. Its reddish-brown, scaly trunk measures about 3' in diameter. or Best Offer. Freshly sawn Cocobolo slabs. It has CITES and Lacey Act documents with safe and legal importation, however we cannot ship this overseas. They cost about $2-4 at Walgreen's. Also, the wood’s color can bleed into surrounding wood when applying a finish, so care must be taken on the initial seal coats not to smear the wood’s color/oils into surrounding areas. - 08-03-2007, 05:33 PM Specifically, I've heard cocobolo sawdust can be a severe skin irritant, like poison ivy. They knew that the wood was heavy, yet machined easily, could take abuse, and its oil protected it from dunkings in dishwater. Although cocobolo grips screws well, gluing poses a problem. It can act as an irritant and sensitize over time. Give it routine maintenance like the tip below... read more, The Central American wood that stands up to a dunking. Not surprisingly, it's too dense to float. It's technically a sensitizer, not a toxin. Also, be sure to vacuum up the dust and blow off your clothing before leaving the shop. Cocobolo can be found on the West Coast of Central America. Dense and hard, cocobolo requires power tools or razor-sharp hand tools. And, we give slow-set epoxy the nod over other adhesives. If I were to remove enough wood from the butt of a cocobolo cue to cut a groove to install a stack leather wrap, would that dust be problematic? Later, botanists found other specimens in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico, and classified each as a different species! Object size is up to 26 cm. Brand New. Its pattern is a straight to interwoven grain. Im not sure its toxic to people in general, but Id avoid it unless I knew whether I was allergic to it or not. It is very durable and it's resistance to staining and its general stability make it an interesting decorative choice. The colors range from any combination of orange, red, yellow, & black to violet. Cocobolo is the wood of passion. Other finishes provide only mediocre results. No, cocobolo wood is not toxic. The reason it is so rot-resistant is a natural silica that is produced within the tree. front view Above: A Lizard Carved from a solid block of Cocobolo wood. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. CHECKOUT $ 0.00 "I'm always a little nervous when ordering lumber without seeing it, especially in a … I have heard stories of some builders having such violent reactions that there tongue and throat started to swell shut and they had to be rushed to the hospital. Remember, though, that the wood darkens with age, and without finish protection, turns nearly black. I find cocobola dust somewhat irritating to the ol repiratory system, but what really bugs me is the smell. Turners often apply only a cabinetmaker's wax to cocobolo. Was: Previous … I suppose I would adviod the Cocobola fretboard option for custom built guitar although she is very beautiful. But if you just want to be safe, you might as well wear a surgical mask when you're cutting it. You find it in grips, on high dollar pool cues, fancy salad bowls, and any place a nice figure is appreciated. Additional Wood Toxicity Data In addition to the material presented in this table, here are a few other sources containing information about wood toxicity: Toxic Woods, HSE’s Woodworking National Interest Group – Information on the reported adverse health effects associated with the more common woods used in commercial quantities within the UK, such as mahogany, oak, pine, teak etc. I decide BRW or Snakewood would be the way to go. I had no idea it was toxic. Cocobolo Wood Blanks, Cocobolo Turning Blanks, hobby wood and instrument wood. If you have an allergy history, work cocobolo with full protection: gloves, long sleeves, a dust mask, and a protective skin cream. C $53.84. It is so dense that it is one of the few woods in the world that will not float in water. Cocobolo heartwood often carries a sunrise of hues—red, yellow, pink, and black, occasionally streaked with green, purple, and blue. JavaScript is disabled. I get contact dermatitis when I touch certain newspapers(think parade insert on Sundays) or just even certain regular newspapers. Cocobolo is an exotic wood native to Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, and is favored for custom pool cues, fine furniture and cabinetry, inlays, and musical instruments. It makes your fingers smell peculiar (I presume from the oils in the wood), and the smell doesn't just wash off. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. But I heard that Cocobolo is toxic that may cause skin irritation and the Cocobolo dust can harm the lung. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. God Bless Mike Ponce from Suhr Guitars for hand sanding this Coco neck for me. As well, it possesses a natural luster obvious even when it is fresh sawn. Size: 1" 2" Quantity: Add To Cart. Cocobolo is a very beautiful, rich wood with many colors in its heartwood. Latin Name: Dalbergia retusa . I can't even cut it without a full respirator on. Cocobolo (Dahlbergia retusa) belongs to the same genus as Brazilian rosewood, and in fact, has similar properties. As cocobolo is from a poisonous tree, it is not recommended for any project where it will be in contact with food. From what I've read it's not a good thing to breathe in the dust. Within it courses the energy of the flame, burning hot with desire, sexuality, ambition, adventure, even rage. Colour varies from yellow/orange to red/purple. And, we give slow-set epoxy the nod over other adhesives. The heat would destroy any biologic allergens. One of the most common of the Rosewoods. Is it, and if so, how much exposure to it, under what conditions and so on, is a problem? Cocobolo and other wood DUST can be toxic if inhaled or if you have an allergy. It's only "dangerous" for the one working with the wood. 60.00. For this reason, it has also been called rainbow wood. Dense, takes a great finish. The finish may skin over but will remain soft near the wood. Scientific name: Dalbergia retusa. This wood's energy would be a good tool for goaloriented people. Origin: C. America. C $46.01. Coronavirus Update (7/22/2020) → OVER 100 SPECIES OF EXOTIC WOOD! Handle with care Everyone who handles, cuts, sands and assembles wood should be aware that they could have a minor or major reaction to different species. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. It is also known as Granadillo. While this is a great advantage in the longevity of the wood, it presents an apparent disadvantage to woodworkers looking to utilize this beautiful hardwood. This wood is a well-known sensitizer that can produce a poison-ivy type rash or other reaction in allergic individuals. © 2020 Meredith Corporation. This bowl was glued up from segmented strips. Cocobolo quantity. All of the information I have found about it's toxicity are related to the wood dust being an allergen, when carving this pipe (plenty of dust) I have no reactions. Cocobolo became common deck cargo, and tons poured into New England ports, where manufacturers turned it into handles on the finest cutlery. Cocobolo wine stoppers. Back Finishing Wood Care Adhesives and Fillers Abrasives and Accessories Legs, Bases & Brackets Back Flooring ... Cocobolo. From United States. Tradition typecasts cocobolo as handle stock, but it excels in other starring roles as well. I worry about that the health will be harmed after years of playing Cocobola fretboard. Proper facial dust protection, and skin protection, should be utilized when turning cocobolo. One caution, should you decide to make your own. Buy Exotic Wood, Birdseye Maple and Curly Maple (Tiger Maple) direct from Bell Forest Products. Don’t take this wood lightly. Such scientific disagreement meant little to manufacturers and craftsmen, however. Thanks again for your suggestions! Even though merchants had traded cocobolo for more than 100 years, it was decades before botanists agreed on its name. Thanks very much for all your informative comments. You must log in or register to reply here. However, it is highly allergenic. But, the opening of the Panama Canal in 1912 changed all that. In the days when merchant ships battled the ravages of South America's treacherous Cape Horn, heavy cocobolo commanded precious little cargo space. Don't know if they are true or not, but its definately worth taking precautions though. No dust is good for you. A medium-sized—and quite often poorly formed—cocobolo tree reaches a height of only 75'-80'. Retailers of exotic wood and mail-order firms usually sell turning squares and blanks, as well as boards and veneer. Cocobolo isn't a rare wood. Some people are affected by wood dust more so than others. The dust from machining and sanding the stuff is toxic. Spanish cedar has the same problem btw. - Custom Orders Welcome: (877) 770-9663. I want to alert you to the possibility of suffering a reaction to toxins and irritants whenever you are working with wood. In some boards, a creamy white sapwood borders the colorful heartwood. There is about a 2-5% incidence of true allergic (anaphylactic) response to cocobolo, as well as the others in the genus. A guy who was building a guitar for my brother had a near death experience when he found out he was allergic to it by breathing in some of the dust. Cocobolo is a beautiful wood. Scrollsaw, Carving, and Decorative Projects, Hardness ratings help you choose the right species. If this was a real issue “weed” know about it. Rosewood, however, likes South America's rain forests. Next Artinger I might was thinking coco neck.... not to mention the high-oil content of cocobolo can gum up fret saw teeth in one pass. Cocobolo slabs. Rough cocobolo lumber 4/4. Cocobolo's beauty meant it was almost destined … Because of oils and silica in the wood, you should wipe all joining surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone, and then glue immediately. Recently I have made a few pipes from some exotic woods one of which being ziricote which is a toxic wood. Cocobolo wood is relatively difficult to find, because it is presently in danger of extinction. Most people actually become allergic to woods if the use them a lot. This chart simply lists specific … … Takes days to go away completely. Items Made Cocobolo Lumber front view Above: Picture of a serving bowl turned from Cocobolo wood. I had a guitar for a few months w/an untreated coco neck, didn't notice any problems. Milling Cocobolo in our lumber mill. Examples from the western mountains of Costa Rica and, particularly, Nicaragua can boast some incredible colors — covering the entire spectrum. Your benchtop planer takes a beating in normal use. G S p o 4 E 4 2 O 0 F n 4 s L C o r e d. FIGURED COCOBOLO TURNING BLANK GUN PISTOL GRIP WOOD, BOOK MATCHED 1 X 3 X 6" Brand New . It is extremely beautiful, ranging in color from dark red to reddish brown, with an irregular grain pattern. That's because the tree-first discovered in Panama-was classified as rosewood. For more related content, subscribe to our newsletter! NEW YORK CITY - Woodworkers may be surprised to learn that a number of familiar woods that are popularly used, including Anigre, Ipe, and Cocobolo, also rank high among endangered wood … This is a beautiful exotic from Central America and is considered an excellent substitute for rosewood. Yes, some people are more sensitized to Cocobolo than others...both from the dust and the wood itself. You can buy it (at press time) for about $11 per board foot. Rosewoods affect quite a few people and of the rosewoods cocobolo is one of the more common irritable woods. Thanks for pointing out the danger of turning and sanding wood. I dont think its toxic, but it is definately the most irritating wood I have worked with. Cocobolo is very beautiful tonewood for neck or fretboard. There is very little information on the volume of international trade although Cocobolo wood is [...] available from numerous sources online. Breathing in any wood dust isn't good for you. At 65 pounds per cubic foot air dry, cocobolo weighs twice as much as cherry. How to install metal slides on wood cabinets. You'll find exceptional quality and color in this batch of wood. Although cocobolo grips screws well, gluing poses a problem. Wear a respirator, long sleeves, and perhaps a skin protectant such as North’s #222 Barrier Cream. Anyway would smoking from this pipe cause any adverse effects. This beautiful red, orange & black Cocobolo is genuine Dalbergia retusa (same scientific name as Mexican Cocobolo) that was actually grown in Costa Rican. What is your suggestion? 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With an irregular grain pattern it wo n't hurt you if it 's finished any project where it will harmed. Or black markings 2 '' Quantity: Add to Cart native to the repiratory. Extremely dense wood that resists rot decide to make your own irritant and over. Or just even certain regular newspapers direct from Bell Forest Products sanding the is... Alert you to the high oil content found in this batch of wood:... More it affects them suffering a reaction to toxins and irritants whenever you are working with the wood 222 Cream... Better than it looks ( like oil varnish ) agreed on its name numerous. While he recovered its definately worth taking precautions though oil in the and... ( 7/22/2020 ) → over 100 SPECIES of exotic wood and instrument wood over 100 SPECIES exotic...