However, the long-term negative effects of exposure to sawdust of any species are well documented.
It is important to remember that although many people may, or may not, be sensitive to any given wood, the only experience that truly counts is your own, so use reported side effects as guidance but not as a substitute for cautious and safe practices.
Appropriate protective equipment is therefore always recommended when working with this, or any other, wood, exotic or domestic, unless you have worked with the species before and are certain you are not sensitive to it.
Complete information about health hazards associated with a wide variety of exotic hardwoods is available from The Wood Database. Additional information about how to best use a dust collection system and personal protective equipment, such as respirators, can also be found through this excellent and comprehensive resource.
Fortunately, I experienced no negative side effects when working with Honey Locust.
My Personal Experiences
In the past I had purchased several small pieces of Honey Locust from a smaller local mill in southern Missouri. The pieces were sold as rounds and I allowed them to air dry over several years before attempting to turn them. The wood had distorted during drying but only by a small amount compared to other woods I have worked with. I re-cut the blanks to round on the bandsaw prior to mounting them on the lathe for turning down into small bowls.
I found that the Honey Locust cut extremely clean due to its hardness and density, characteristics which often make for an excellent turning wood. I discovered delightful colors of pinks and yellows and golden hues throughout the wood, most of which I suspect was in fact sapwood, but it was lovely regardless.
Interior Small Honey Locust Bowl
Although other authorities claim that there is no distinctive scent to Honey Locust, with all five pieces that I worked with I detected a mild but distinctly sweet spicy scent when cutting.
I did find that there was some slight roughness of the cut of the cross-grain, but this is not unusual with most any wood. In any event, the blanks sanded down quite easily.
I found the wood to have a very nice natural luster once sanded down to 800 grit.
I was quite pleased with my experiences working with Honey Locust and I would gladly work with the wood again in the future. In fact, I was so pleased with the experience that I quickly ordered additional supplies of larger turning blanks of this wood to use in my shop in the future, so beware that I am potentially in competition with you for the remaining stocks to be had from GotWood!
As always, I wish all my readers a great experience in whatever their wood working interests happen to be and to those who like working with lathes especially, do a good turn today!