planing camphor

[Part_Timer]

Last trip to Florida we stopped in and visited with GOI.  We had brought some q sawn ash for his guitars and in return he sent home some camphor.  Well today I tried to plane some down for a project.  Boy howdy that stuff smells like I painted the walls with vicks44.  I made it through 4 boards but the smell got so strong I had to quit for a bit.

It is a very soft wood and the planer is tearing it out a bit even in low speed. I'm either going to try to wet it a bit first before I run it again or maybe I'll try to talk Faron into running it through his sander this summer.  ;D ;D  Katie said she could smell it even before she came in the house. 

If I can find where the wife hid the camera I'll post a couple of pics tonight.