What kind of finish?

[mater]

I am going to try to turn a couple of baby rattles and I wonder what kind of finish to put on them or should I put a finish on them at all. I am planning on using walnut. Thanks

[Whaler]

I think that if I was going to put a finish on something a baby might be chewing on I would use a non toxic salad bowl finish.

[bmyers]

I wouldnt use walnut if I were you. You might just find one thats alergic to nuts. It happens! Mineral oil is ok. I use bees wax. Smells better.

Bill

[ChrisD]

Ken,

Were you referring to "walnut" as wood or as oil?

I read in a recent FWW that walnut, the lumber, can be pretty toxic. It contains a chemical compound called juglone which can irritate the eyes and skin. Juglone has been known to harm plants, dogs, and horses. I'd choose another material for a rattle.

Walnut oil, on the other hand, is a safe finish for something that, as Dick points out, a child might chew on. Just make sure the baby is clear of any nut allergies!

[mater]

quote:Originally posted by ChrisD

Ken,

Were you referring to "walnut" as wood or as oil?

I read in a recent FWW that walnut, the lumber, can be pretty toxic. It contains a chemical compound called juglone which can irritate the eyes and skin. Juglone has been known to harm plants, dogs, and horses. I'd choose another material for a rattle.

Walnut oil, on the other hand, is a safe finish for something that, as Dick points out, a child might chew on. Just make sure the baby is clear of any nut allergies!

Chris,

I was planning on using some scrap walnut I had left from another project. I am very grateful you pointed that out to me about it being toxic. Now I feel stupid that I didn't check it out myself. I certainly appreciate it. Thanks

[tribalwind]

i use tung oil on my native-american style flutes. it takes a while to cure though.
you could probably use beeswax for a quick safe finish? sure the sheen will dull, but not much stands up to teething nawing yungins