However, due to the commercial scarcity of some woods, resorting to auction sites such as Ebay or Etsy may be the only way to obtain some desirable domestic, or in some cases exotic imported, species that are not routinely commercially harvested. The potential risks of buying in these marketplaces have to be balanced against the desire to work with a specific species of wood. That is inherently an individual decision.
I also realize that many, if not most, wood workers do not have endangered species lists memorized, therefore I think it worthwhile and important to do even a small amount of research before purchasing any lumber, domestic as well as imported, to be certain of the potential impact you are having, even in a small way, on threatened or endangered populations. This information is easy to come by and takes only minutes to locate through any Internet search engine, including those you can access on your phone as you are standing in the lumber yard or store. Unfortunately, you simply cannot count on a vendor to tell you a product they are selling is endangered.
Health Hazards:
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Hububalli, however, other species in the Loxopterygium genus have been reported to cause skin irritation. As always, caution is essential until you are certain you are not sensitive to Hububalli.
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 difficulties while working with Hububalli.
My Personal Experiences:
Honestly, I just wasn’t impressed with Hububalli. The wood seemed very plain, especially when stacked against some of the other exotic woods I have been working with lately. And Hububalli is fairly soft so it didn’t cut cleanly in the first passes so I had to spent a fair amount of time making very light and delicate cuts to remove some gouging that I certainly didn’t want to have to attack with sandpaper.
And while I have read the report of good natural luster and the ability of Hububalli to take a natural polish, this just was not my experience. Even when finely finished down to 800 grit, and not everyone goes even remotely that fine with their sanding, I STILL didn’t get a natural luster at all. As far as a natural polish is concerned, forget about it. Give me Bocote or Cocobolo and I’ll show you a natural finish!
Hububalli Reverse
Hububalli just wasn’t the wood for me and I guess I am just spoiled by my work with exotic beauties and exceptional pieces of domestic material as well. It takes a good bit to impress me and Hububalli just didn’t do that. It is good to know that it’s cheap too.
All cuts were made using the Easy Wood Tool system on my Robust American Beauty lathe. Forward chucking was in a Nova Chuck, while reverse chucking was done using a Nova Chuck with Cole Jaws. Sanding was with Gold and Green Wave sanding discs from Packard Woodworks. Final finish is Shellawax.