Official Luthiers Forum!

hi!
i was searching information about how to work spalted maple..

and i found this..

If you ever think of trying to
work spalted maple, be sure to buy fresh cartridges for your face mask.
Spalting is caused by a number of fungi, and some of them will drop you
like a rock. Fungal pneumonia is a real dog to treat and cure, and may
be lethal. It is necessary to wear a full bore respirator, not a dust
mask, when working with it, especially during sanding. It's also
necessary to take quick care of your clothing and shower immediately
after working with it. Those spores can spread everywhere in
concentrated quantities. A disposible bunny suit would probably be the
best idea to work in, and wear disposable gloves..


are this information true???

thank you...

_________________
everything you know is wrong

Woah...and I bought some spalted beech the other day...

My instincts tell me that normal protective procedures is all that is needed, but I could be REALLY wrong....I've lived in mouldy flats before that make spalted wood seem relatively harmless....

Wow.... definitely something to watch for!

_________________
Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

It is true that there is often mold in the spalt, especially the really
punky sections.  Allergic responses to mold will vary, select your
mask accordingly.

[QUOTE=erikbojerik] It is true that there is often mold in the spalt, especially the really
punky sections. Allergic responses to mold will vary, select your
mask accordingly.
[/QUOTE]

Not only is there often mold in spalt, spalt IS mold so there is always mold in spalt.
Yes, there is definately a risk when working with it.

I have used spalted maple for many projects built in my shop, including architectual moldings for my own home. After hundreds of board feet, I have yet to develop any respiratory distress or disease from using the wood. I personally don't wear a mask while milling the wood, only when I am doing some sanding with the R.O.S.. Maybe our central Illinois fungus is not the type to bother your lungs?? If you follow my lead and get some kind of fungal affliction, you are own your own! 
I wonder if huffing athlete's foot spray cures fung lung?
chris

_________________
Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Chris,

Can you show us some of your architectural molding pix? That'd be a treat. Thanks

Here is a shot of some doors. You can see the spalting streaking up from the bottoms. All of the photos I have found so far have just the stained spalting. I'll try to find some before and afters of other spalted moldings and post them.
chris

_________________
Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

[QUOTE=Chris Oliver] Here is a shot of some doors. You can see the spalting streaking up from the bottoms. All of the photos I have found so far have just the stained spalting. I'll try to find some before and afters of other spalted moldings and post them.chris
[/QUOTE]

I see lots of curl and crotch in this photo. I must be missing it but I do not see spalt.

There is a bunch. The stain really hides the gray and black. That is why I wish I had a before stain photo of these doors.

_________________
Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

got ya!

Possibly some of the reaction to the mold is to the living mold--especially a persistent infection. Kiln dried lumber might only have dead mold, and thus might not be as reactive.

I've milled many a spalted maple tree with dust 'a flyin' everywhere, with no
adverse effects....

anyway...

now, i will always wear my dust mask...

and work outside!

_________________
everything you know is wrong

For those of us with asthma, even the fragrance of wood can trigger an attack. For the rest of you, some of the particles and chemicals stick in the lungs and accumulate. The irritation over the years causes permanent changes in the lung and disease. Think cigarettes. If you search the web, you can find a lung disease named for almost any job exposed to dust. For example, there is a disease named for exposure to redwood dust, one for workers who strip maple tree bark, one for mahogany workers, sand quarry operators, etc. Better safe than sorry.

I'm screwed...