[Raparee]

Are there any special considerations I should keep in mind before carving pressure treated cedar?

[brian bailey]

do you know what the wood was treated with?

Here's an interesting link if the wood was treated with CCA.

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/d...ml#precautions

[wade clark]

I didn't know they treated cedar. It's known for not rotting and for bugs hating it. Please give us more info.
I'd say, if carving pressure treated wood, it'd be better to do it with hand tools, as gouges and chisels don't raise the dust that power tools do, and you don't want to be breathing in dust that's pressure treated!

[woodcarver55555]

I don't think you want to run the chance of getting any of the dust in your eyes either. I cover up good when I cut pressue treated pine. Duncan

[mdallensr]

You need to be careful if you plan to do any wood burning too. Fumes from those chemicals can be nasty. Ditto burning after using super glue. Mike

[Ashbys]

outside of the things mentioned , they can really dull tools.

Pressure treated can have anything from embalming fluid to insecticides and salt. Also since it was treated under mid range heat it can be heat treated which will slightly change the cell structure. Nothing severe but cuts will act a little bit different.

At least according to some heat treated wood information I read.

[AlArchie]

Do you REALLY have a good reason for wanting to carve that chemically treated stuff? Other than maybe availability? If not. I'd just find something else to carve on.

Al

[Raparee]

I think that after reading some of your replies, and doing some research, I'll take that piece of wood into the forest and bury it deep. Sounds like nasty stuff. I had a 6"x6"x2' piece left over from some landscaping, and thought I'd put it to use... maybe not.

Thanks for the info.

[squbrigg]

I believe you made the right decision. Those pressure treated woods are being linked to all kinds of problems, especially with kids. Several places have pulled out their playgrounds that we built with the stuff. A lot better safe, than sorry.

Bob