I've just lucked (?) into a few small turning blocks of ironwood from Arizona. I'm wondering if there is anything special I need to know before putting them on the lathe. I was advised that there will be no shavings, only dust, and that the dust is toxic enough to warrant wearing a breathing mask.
I assume I will have to sharpen more often,
Is all this so, in your extensive experiences? What else? What about finishing? I have heard that it just needs to be sanded with progressively higher and higher grits, and then burnished without a finish. Yes?
(cross posted to woodworking and woodturning)