Makiwara Wood.

[Badhabits]

Having 2 isn't a bad idea. You can make them different heights. And different flexibility. Has its advantages

 

[opr194597]

I came across this on line.

"No, you should not use pressure-treated wood for a makiwara because the chemicals impregnated in the wood are toxic and can be harmful to your health with repeated contact. Instead, opt for dense, non-pressure-treated wood such as white oak, Douglas fir, or cedar, and apply a wood preservative or sealant to protect the post from rot and insect damage.

Why Not Pressure-Treated Wood?

• Toxicity:
  Pressure-treated wood contains chemicals, often insecticides, to protect it from termites and rot. Direct, repeated contact with these chemicals is a health hazard.
• Pressure-treated lumber gives off toxic fumes into air and when touched.
• As a side note, many hardware stores sell pressure treated lumber for outdoor uses. This is wood that is impregnated with insecticides, to protect the wood from termites. I don’t recommend using pressure treated wood for the construction of your makiwara. Cutting pressure treated wood requires special precautions, to shield you from carcinogenic dust. Also, in your training, you will be touching the makiwara, and I don’t like the idea of constantly touching wood that is impregnated with poison."
  
  

I don't know if any of this is true, When I started pressure treated was my first choice. But, when I read this I moved on from that. But as I thought about it I realized once finishes I would not be actually be touching the wood. I will have two pads on high for striking and a lower one for leg/foot work. I also read that after a month or so the level of fumes will drop to almost nothing. I have a deck made of pressure treated lumber and while you could smell fume when first made it is pretty dried out now.

So, I am reevualating pressure treated lumber.

Opinions?

 

[HighKick]

I came across this on line.

"No, you should not use pressure-treated wood for a makiwara because the chemicals impregnated in the wood are toxic and can be harmful to your health with repeated contact. Instead, opt for dense, non-pressure-treated wood such as white oak, Douglas fir, or cedar, and apply a wood preservative or sealant to protect the post from rot and insect damage.

Why Not Pressure-Treated Wood?

• Toxicity:
  Pressure-treated wood contains chemicals, often insecticides, to protect it from termites and rot. Direct, repeated contact with these chemicals is a health hazard.
• Pressure-treated lumber gives off toxic fumes into air and when touched.
• As a side note, many hardware stores sell pressure treated lumber for outdoor uses. This is wood that is impregnated with insecticides, to protect the wood from termites. I don’t recommend using pressure treated wood for the construction of your makiwara. Cutting pressure treated wood requires special precautions, to shield you from carcinogenic dust. Also, in your training, you will be touching the makiwara, and I don’t like the idea of constantly touching wood that is impregnated with poison."
  

I don't know if any of this is true, When I started pressure treated was my first choice. But, when I read this I moved on from that. But as I thought about it I realized once finishes I would not be actually be touching the wood. I will have two pads on high for striking and a lower one for leg/foot work. I also read that after a month or so the level of fumes will drop to almost nothing. I have a deck made of pressure treated lumber and while you could smell fume when first made it is pretty dried out now.

So, I am reevualating pressure treated lumber.

Opinions?

Uncured lumber could off gas for certain, but it does not have to be treated to do it. I suspect the hazard was more from the earlier generation(s) of pressure-treated that used strychnine. Most the chemicals nowadays are Borates which are biodegradable. Decks are extremely common and nearly all of them are built with pressure treated pine or similar wood. If I was going to put it inside my home, I would let it dry for another month or so and then seal or paint it, or both. Buy a quality #1 grade like Yellawood.

 

[punisher734]

What would be bad about your basic pressure-treated pine board?

My first makiwara was built like yours with using three boards of differing lengths. It did not have much "flex" in it and I broke it very quickly. I have not had that issue with the 4x4 cedar post cut down and tapered.

 

[Badhabits]

Highkick is right, it's the older treated lumber that more of a danger. It had arsenic in it supposedly. I work with treated lumber every single day including fresh wet treated. No big deal once it dries out. If it worries you go to a good lumber supplier and get the kiln dried stuff. On a side note, you can still get the lumber that's treated with the old bad stuff but it's used for underwater applications like docks. At least in my state it's against code to use it where it'll come in contact with human skin. You can use it underneath docks for framing but not for the handrails on the dock for example.