Mesquite

Hard as hell, eats blades, absolutely beautiful.

--
Ross
www.myoldtools.com
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Mike Pio" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> > I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and they really came out beautiful
> > (smelled like popcorn or something while milling). I'm just wondering if
> > I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's gold.
> >
> > Any experience with mesquite??
>
> My local dealer stocks mesquite (from Argentina?) and it sell for $8 a bd.
> ft. Nice looking wood. If what you have is the same, you have a good
deal.
> Ed
> [email protected]
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
>
>

Mike Pio wrote:

> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot samples
> today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and they
> really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while milling).
> I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's gold.
>
> Any experience with mesquite??
>
> -m
>
>
I used to live in NV. While mesquite was not plentiful, it was the
dominate tree. I found a log once and cut it into boards and made a
scrollsawn box from it. A picture is at the top of this page

http://rayr.150m.com/Woodwork2/woodwork2.html

It's always springtime in Fredericksburg, even when it's 110.

--
Ross
www.myoldtools.com
"patriarch [email protected]>" <<patriarch> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Michael Burton <mhburtonatmomentdotnet> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> <snip>
> > PS: Warning -- Shameless plug to follow:
> > If anyone wants to see a big collection of mesquite stuff, come to
> > Fredericksburg, Texas October 8, 9, & 10 for the Texas Mesquite
> > Association's annual Spring Show and Sale. Lots of really nice
> > mesquite furniture and artwork will be there. Rough lumber will even
> > be available. I believe seven vendors will have lumber for sale and at
> > least 72 with furniture, art, gun stocks, etc. A blacksmith buddy and
> > I will have three booths there.
> >
>
> Y'all have your Spring Show in October?

"Mike Pio" <[email protected]> wrote in message

> I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and they really came out beautiful
> (smelled like popcorn or something while milling). I'm just wondering if
> I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's gold.
>
> Any experience with mesquite??

My local dealer stocks mesquite (from Argentina?) and it sell for $8 a bd.
ft. Nice looking wood. If what you have is the same, you have a good deal.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome

Mike Pio asks:

> live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
>plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
>across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot samples
>today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and they
>really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while milling).
>I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's gold.
>
>Any experience with mesquite??

You've struck it rich. Mesquite is often high priced, is gorgeous and is not
all that difficult to work--it is a bit brittle, but turns well and otherwise
works well.

Get as much as you can.

Charlie Self
"Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and
hurry off as if nothing happened." Sir Winston Churchill

I just built a rocking chair made of mesquite. It's a little difficult, but
not too bad. It turns your hands purple when you work it. Lemon juice will
take care of that though. It costs $9-$10/board foot in Houston. I'd take
all I could get. :-)

"Mike Pio" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:h8p2d.93509$yh.39987@fed1read05...
> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
> samples today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock
> and they really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something
> while milling). I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's
> just fool's gold.
>
> Any experience with mesquite??
>
> -m
>

I used Deft Oil (Deft Danish Oil Finish) on a mesquite chair I made
recently. The pro's at Homestead Heritage recommended it. I'm quite
satisfied with it and it was easy to apply.

Deft has more varnish in it that other Danish Oils (or so I'm told).

>snip
> Finishing can sometimes be a pain--there's something in it that seems to
> make polyurethane cure slowly and sometimes the first coat is lifted by
> the
> second. Shellac seems to stick fine but doesn't bring out the grain
> particularly well. So far I've gotten the most attractive results with
> either polyurethane or boiled linseed oil with shellac over, but that's
> with "black" mesquite, not "honey" which is what most of the North
> American
> is, so YMMV.
>
> Seems to glue all right but I haven't really tested it hard in that
> regard.
>
> If you don't use scrapers you may want to try one--the mesquite that I've
> worked with scrapes beautifully.
>
>> -m
>
> --
> --John
> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Here in the San Angelo area of Texas mesquite is considered a choice locally
grown hardwood. The country side is covered in mesquite bushes that are
considered a nuisance. Trees large enough to yield usable lumber from them
are not so plentiful. Locally cut mesquite lumber is unique in its
properties since most of it in this area of Texas is cut from trees that are
relatively small, twisted, and prone to have knots and lots of limbs. There
is a lot of waste in working around some of the lumbers defects. Long, wide
pieces of lumber that would grade FAS are uncommon and bring a premium
price. Around here a piece of mesquite that is 4 - 6" thick and large enough
to make a fireplace mantle will cost $500 - $800 for a single board
depending on width, length, and defects. Most of the lumber that is
available is 4 - 5 inches wide, 1 - 2" thick and 3 -4 feet long, at best.
Most of the smaller pieces of mesquite will sell for around $6.00/board foot
air dried, when you can find it. Almost all of it will have a knot hole, a
check mark or some other defect on it. Mesquite woodworkers around here
accept the lumber for its unique properties and work around them or
incorporate them into their finished pieces. For example, many of the boxes,
and table tops made from highly figured mesquite will have the check marks,
voids, and knots filled with black epoxy.

The lumber is exceptionally hard, dense and finishes well. The lumber does
not expand or contract as much as many of the other domestic hardwoods. It
can produce exceptionally attractive boxes, wood turnings, and table tops. I
particularly like the table tops that have the lumbers defects removed from
them because of the long straight redish brown grain in the parts of the
lumber that is clear of defects. The boxes that are made from the burls and
limb crouches of the lumber have exceptional grain patterns in them and the
lumber used to make them will almost always have defects in it that will
need repair of some form.

Some people (including yours truly) are allergic to the sawdust. Good dust
collection would probably be advised. Sawing produces a very fine dust.



"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mike Pio" wrote in message
> > Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> > plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often
comes
> > across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
> samples
> > today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and
> they
> > really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while
> milling).
> > I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's
> gold.
> >
> > Any experience with mesquite??
>
> Lousy wood! Smells, contracts and expands, dulls blades, and the seductive
> grain will turn on you like a bad wife. Get rid of it as soon as can. Tell
> you what ... just cut all you can get into 8/4 stock and we'll send you an
> address where it can be properly disposed of before it corrupts you
further.
> .... even throw in free disposal of the chips and shavings.
>
> You suck, BTW.
>
> --
> www.e-woodshop.net
> Last update: 7/10/04
>
>

I'm coming to the show. I recently joined the TMA. I received a packet of
newsletters and roster, but no membership card. Will you be selling your 8/4
stock at the show? What lengths will there be available. (Can I haul it in
the Tahoe or do I need to bring the F150? I'm looking for rocking chair
material. :-)


"Michael Burton" <mhburtonatmomentdotnet> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mike Pio wrote in news:h8p2d.93509$yh.39987@fed1read05:
>
>> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
>> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often
>> comes across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2
>> foot samples today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some
>> 8/4 stock and they really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or
>> something while milling). I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich
>> here, or if it's just fool's gold.
>>
>> Any experience with mesquite??
>>
>> -m
>>
>>
>
> Ya done good Mike,
> Mesquite is a gem of a hardwood that is undiscovered by most
> woodworkers. Honey Mesquite is most common in Texas, although in Arizona
> screwbean mesquite grows as well. It works easily with carbide tools, has
> a
> nice smell & it takes and retains crisp clear details from router/shaper &
> carving knife and polishes up to a gorgeous finish. Sunlight will turn it
> to a deep rich reddish brown & sometimes almost purple color in a short
> time (even a few hours will be enough to see a change).
> The high silica content makes it a little hard on planer/jointer
> knives. Seeing sparks coming off of my saw blades is not uncomon. :-) It
> is
> almost twice as hard as oak with expansion being very low and almost the
> same in any direction. It is heavy as well, with a specific gravity around
> .69 to .77
> Mesquite finishes beautifully. I have used shellac, BLO/Turps/Tung
> oil, laquer, and currently use a poly/oil mix that David Marks showed me,
> when he was in Austin a few months back. All of these finishes work great,
> but shellac and laquer don't bring out the depth of the wood quite as well
> as the oil finishes.
> It does raise a very fine dust when worked, especially when sanded.
> Some folks are pretty allergic to it because of the extractants(sp?) in
> the
> wood, others develop a reaction to it over time. Just use a good filter
> mask and you will be fine. Be sure to wear crappy clothes when you work
> it.
> The sawdust stains something terrible when you get dust on your clothes
> and
> you are sweating and since you are in AZ, I would supect you will be doing
> exactly that. I have ruined many a good t-shirt this way. Hah!
> When you finish your project, save all your scraps! It is excellent for
> BBQ and imparts a distinctive flavor in food, just be sure not to use
> green
> wood to stoke your fire while the meat is on the pit, yuck. In addition to
> being a beautiful furniture wood, it works great for fuel, since it puts
> out more BTU's per pound than any wood known to man. (Don't burn it in
> your
> fireplace or in those stamped metal grills. It burns so hot that it will
> break your firebrick and ruin your grill) My grill is a piece of
> 20"x.500"wall pipe.
> There was an effort made sometime in the 80's to try to use it
> commercially here in Texas for power plant boiler fuel, but harvesting it
> was cost prohibitive, thank goodness. You would be hard pressed to find a
> BBQ place in Texas that doesn't use mesquite exclusively. Here in Llano,
> the three places we have burn 1000-2000 lbs of it a day depending on
> whether it is a weekend or not. I keep two big plastic garbage cans beside
> my shop to keep my scraps in.
>
>
> PS: Warning -- Shameless plug to follow:
> If anyone wants to see a big collection of mesquite stuff, come to
> Fredericksburg, Texas October 8, 9, & 10 for the Texas Mesquite
> Association's annual Spring Show and Sale. Lots of really nice mesquite
> furniture and artwork will be there. Rough lumber will even be available.
> I
> believe seven vendors will have lumber for sale and at least 72 with
> furniture, art, gun stocks, etc. A blacksmith buddy and I will have three
> booths there.
>
> http://www.texasmesquiteassn.org/fall-fbg-2004.html
>
> --
> Michael Burton
> Thunderbird Hardwoods
> Llano, TX
>
> mhburton at moment dot net

Michael Burton <mhburtonatmomentdotnet> schreef
> The high silica content makes it a little hard on planer/jointer
knives. Seeing sparks coming off of my saw blades is not uncommon. :-)

******
Actually, silica content is 0.0000
PvR

Any thoughts on how Mesquite would turn for chess pieces?
Grandpa (in NM)

Joe Nation wrote:

> Here in the San Angelo area of Texas mesquite is considered a choice locally
> grown hardwood. The country side is covered in mesquite bushes that are
> considered a nuisance. Trees large enough to yield usable lumber from them
> are not so plentiful. Locally cut mesquite lumber is unique in its
> properties since most of it in this area of Texas is cut from trees that are
> relatively small, twisted, and prone to have knots and lots of limbs. There
> is a lot of waste in working around some of the lumbers defects.

Excellent job and interesting projects. I'll be taking some ideas from your
pictures.

:)


"Ray R" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mike Pio wrote:
>
> > Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> > plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often
comes
> > across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
samples
> > today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and
they
> > really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while
milling).
> > I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's
gold.
> >
> > Any experience with mesquite??
> >
> > -m
> >
> >
> I used to live in NV. While mesquite was not plentiful, it was the
> dominate tree. I found a log once and cut it into boards and made a
> scrollsawn box from it. A picture is at the top of this page
>
> http://rayr.150m.com/Woodwork2/woodwork2.html
>

J. Clarke wrote...
> Large sections of American mesquite are hard to come by--generally
> to get large boards you have to import it from South America.

The large sections we get around here -- I'm in Tucson, AZ -- are also
imported from South America, sort of. Virtually all of the large
landscaping mesquites are hybrids of South American species, grown in
local nurseries.

The South American varieties grow quickly (as much as 40 feet in 7
years). I think because of improper planting and watering, they
frequently grow with shallow root systems, having large, long runners
that rise above the soil. Such surface roots wreak havoc with nearby
walkways and driveways, and these trees often topple in windstorms.

So, (ahem) a "windfall" of quality lumber is truly possible. I've been
the beneficiary on a few occasions. However, the landscaping and tree-
trimming crews that I know usually sell the large stuff; they don't give
it away. Mike's good luck is to be envied.

Jim

LOL -- If I hear you correctly (and I think that I do), this wood is
complete garbage ;-) Gotcha. I'll be sure to toss those 6' logs right into
the landfill.

"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mike Pio" wrote in message
>> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
>> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
>> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
> samples
>> today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and
> they
>> really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while
> milling).
>> I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's
> gold.
>>
>> Any experience with mesquite??
>
> Lousy wood! Smells, contracts and expands, dulls blades, and the seductive
> grain will turn on you like a bad wife. Get rid of it as soon as can. Tell
> you what ... just cut all you can get into 8/4 stock and we'll send you an
> address where it can be properly disposed of before it corrupts you
> further.
> .... even throw in free disposal of the chips and shavings.
>
> You suck, BTW.
>
> --
> www.e-woodshop.net
> Last update: 7/10/04
>
>

Ray,

Really nice box...must have taken a few hours to make all those cuts, eh?


"Ray R" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mike Pio wrote:
>
>> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
>> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
>> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
>> samples today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4
>> stock and they really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or
>> something while milling). I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here,
>> or if it's just fool's gold.
>>
>> Any experience with mesquite??
>>
>> -m
> I used to live in NV. While mesquite was not plentiful, it was the
> dominate tree. I found a log once and cut it into boards and made a
> scrollsawn box from it. A picture is at the top of this page
>
> http://rayr.150m.com/Woodwork2/woodwork2.html
>

"Mike Pio" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:Prs2d.95292$yh.83784@fed1read05:

> LOL -- If I hear you correctly (and I think that I do), this wood is
> complete garbage ;-) Gotcha. I'll be sure to toss those 6' logs
> right into the landfill.
>
No, Mike. Let us do it for you! I'll even bring the truck over! I mean,
what are friends for, anyway?

Patriarch

Richard L. wrote in news:[email protected]:

> Hi Mike,
> Don't listen to these guys on helping you to clean your shop of that
> Mesquite. I will trade you some nice Mrtlewood, or some fiddleback Maple,
> for some of 8/4 mesquite it use for making some NA style flutes.
> --
>
>
> Richard,
>
> Richard L. Rombold
> WIZARD WOODWORKING
> 489 N. 32nd. St.
> Springfield, Or .97478
>
>

Hi Richard,
How much 8/4 Mesquite are you needing? I would be very interested in
trading with you for some Fiddleback Maple if you are interested. I am one
of a few that sells kiln dried mesquite lumber. I have a couple of nice
pieces of 8/4 in my shop and a few more in the kiln now, although most of
it is 4/4. I will be drying a load of 8/4 next month.
I am in the Texas Hill country close to Austin and San Antonio and cut
trees off of ranches in the area. I just found six that are 36"+ in
diameter this morning that will all be 8/4 stock for rockers, doors &
headboards.


--
Michael Burton
Thunderbird Hardwoods
Llano, TX
http://www.tbird-hardwoods.com
mhburton at moment dot net

Mike Pio wrote in news:h8p2d.93509$yh.39987@fed1read05:

> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often
> comes across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2
> foot samples today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some
> 8/4 stock and they really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or
> something while milling). I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich
> here, or if it's just fool's gold.
>
> Any experience with mesquite??
>
> -m
>
>

Ya done good Mike,
Mesquite is a gem of a hardwood that is undiscovered by most
woodworkers. Honey Mesquite is most common in Texas, although in Arizona
screwbean mesquite grows as well. It works easily with carbide tools, has a
nice smell & it takes and retains crisp clear details from router/shaper &
carving knife and polishes up to a gorgeous finish. Sunlight will turn it
to a deep rich reddish brown & sometimes almost purple color in a short
time (even a few hours will be enough to see a change).
The high silica content makes it a little hard on planer/jointer
knives. Seeing sparks coming off of my saw blades is not uncomon. :-) It is
almost twice as hard as oak with expansion being very low and almost the
same in any direction. It is heavy as well, with a specific gravity around
.69 to .77
Mesquite finishes beautifully. I have used shellac, BLO/Turps/Tung
oil, laquer, and currently use a poly/oil mix that David Marks showed me,
when he was in Austin a few months back. All of these finishes work great,
but shellac and laquer don't bring out the depth of the wood quite as well
as the oil finishes.
It does raise a very fine dust when worked, especially when sanded.
Some folks are pretty allergic to it because of the extractants(sp?) in the
wood, others develop a reaction to it over time. Just use a good filter
mask and you will be fine. Be sure to wear crappy clothes when you work it.
The sawdust stains something terrible when you get dust on your clothes and
you are sweating and since you are in AZ, I would supect you will be doing
exactly that. I have ruined many a good t-shirt this way. Hah!
When you finish your project, save all your scraps! It is excellent for
BBQ and imparts a distinctive flavor in food, just be sure not to use green
wood to stoke your fire while the meat is on the pit, yuck. In addition to
being a beautiful furniture wood, it works great for fuel, since it puts
out more BTU's per pound than any wood known to man. (Don't burn it in your
fireplace or in those stamped metal grills. It burns so hot that it will
break your firebrick and ruin your grill) My grill is a piece of
20"x.500"wall pipe.
There was an effort made sometime in the 80's to try to use it
commercially here in Texas for power plant boiler fuel, but harvesting it
was cost prohibitive, thank goodness. You would be hard pressed to find a
BBQ place in Texas that doesn't use mesquite exclusively. Here in Llano,
the three places we have burn 1000-2000 lbs of it a day depending on
whether it is a weekend or not. I keep two big plastic garbage cans beside
my shop to keep my scraps in.


PS: Warning -- Shameless plug to follow:
If anyone wants to see a big collection of mesquite stuff, come to
Fredericksburg, Texas October 8, 9, & 10 for the Texas Mesquite
Association's annual Spring Show and Sale. Lots of really nice mesquite
furniture and artwork will be there. Rough lumber will even be available. I
believe seven vendors will have lumber for sale and at least 72 with
furniture, art, gun stocks, etc. A blacksmith buddy and I will have three
booths there.

http://www.texasmesquiteassn.org/fall-fbg-2004.html

--
Michael Burton
Thunderbird Hardwoods
Llano, TX

mhburton at moment dot net

Michael Burton <mhburtonatmomentdotnet> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

<snip>
> PS: Warning -- Shameless plug to follow:
> If anyone wants to see a big collection of mesquite stuff, come to
> Fredericksburg, Texas October 8, 9, & 10 for the Texas Mesquite
> Association's annual Spring Show and Sale. Lots of really nice
> mesquite furniture and artwork will be there. Rough lumber will even
> be available. I believe seven vendors will have lumber for sale and at
> least 72 with furniture, art, gun stocks, etc. A blacksmith buddy and
> I will have three booths there.
>

Y'all have your Spring Show in October?

patriarch < wrote in news:[email protected]:

> Michael Burton <mhburtonatmomentdotnet> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> <snip>
>> PS: Warning -- Shameless plug to follow:
>> If anyone wants to see a big collection of mesquite stuff, come to
>> Fredericksburg, Texas October 8, 9, & 10 for the Texas Mesquite
>> Association's annual Spring Show and Sale. Lots of really nice
>> mesquite furniture and artwork will be there. Rough lumber will even
>> be available. I believe seven vendors will have lumber for sale and at
>> least 72 with furniture, art, gun stocks, etc. A blacksmith buddy and
>> I will have three booths there.
>>
>
> Y'all have your Spring Show in October?
>

Wow, I guess I was still asleep when I wrote that. Course if you are in
Australia, it is the Spring Show ;-)

--
Michael Burton
Thunderbird Hardwoods
Llano, TX

mhburton at moment dot net

My Old Tools wrote in news:[email protected]:

> It's always springtime in Fredericksburg, even when it's 110.
>

It has been close to it the last few days. Heat index at 105-108. Looks
like it will start to cool off Wednesday...about the time I have to leave
to go to work at my regular job.

--
Michael Burton
Thunderbird Hardwoods
Llano, TX

mhburton at moment dot net

Conan the Librarian wrote in news:[email protected]:


> plane body.
>
>
> Chuck Vance (in Wimberley)

Nice looking lamp, Chuck. I have been thinking of buying some crushed
Turquoise for some future projects from a place in Albuquerque(sp?) I asked
the native american jewelry folks use. Its called Rio Grange and they have
a huge selection of stuff in their catalog. www.riogrande.com

--
Michael

Conan the Librarian wrote in news:[email protected]:

> Michael Burton wrote:
>
>> Nice looking lamp, Chuck.
>
> Thanks, Michael. I stole the idea directly from one of the guys
> who
> was showing at the TMA festival. (Except I added the inlaid star.) I
> even told him what I was planning to do, and he just laughed and said,
> "Good luck drilling the hole for the pipe". He evidently breaks a lot
> of bits trying to drill them. I had hoped to see him this year and
> suggest he might have better luck using a ship's auger bit and a
> handbrace like I did. :-)
>
>
> So will you be at the fest all three days? I'm thinking of
> heading
> up on Saturday for a while.
>
>
> Chuck Vance
>

Yes, We will be there all three days. I will be either at my furnite
booth or over at the raw wood sales area selling lumber. Give us a holler.

--
Michael Burton
Thunderbird Hardwoods
Llano, TX

mhburton at moment dot net

Mike, could you please send me the location of that landfil? I'm only 10
minutes away from Arizona.
Many thanks,
GerryG

On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 20:01:15 -0700, "Mike Pio" <[email protected]> wrote:

>LOL -- If I hear you correctly (and I think that I do), this wood is
>complete garbage ;-) Gotcha. I'll be sure to toss those 6' logs right into
>the landfill.
>
>"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> "Mike Pio" wrote in message
>>> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
>>> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
>>> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
>> samples
>>> today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and
>> they
>>> really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while
>> milling).
>>> I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's
>> gold.
>>>
>>> Any experience with mesquite??
>>
>> Lousy wood! Smells, contracts and expands, dulls blades, and the seductive
>> grain will turn on you like a bad wife. Get rid of it as soon as can. Tell
>> you what ... just cut all you can get into 8/4 stock and we'll send you an
>> address where it can be properly disposed of before it corrupts you
>> further.
>> .... even throw in free disposal of the chips and shavings.
>>
>> You suck, BTW.
>>
>> --
>> www.e-woodshop.net
>> Last update: 7/10/04
>>
>>
>

Mike Pio wrote:

> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
> samples
> today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and
> they really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while
> milling). I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just
> fool's gold.
>
> Any experience with mesquite??

Grab it. Large sections of American mesquite are hard to come by--generally
to get large boards you have to import it from South America.

Lovely to look at, and not at all difficult to work. Also one of the most
stable woods around.

Finishing can sometimes be a pain--there's something in it that seems to
make polyurethane cure slowly and sometimes the first coat is lifted by the
second. Shellac seems to stick fine but doesn't bring out the grain
particularly well. So far I've gotten the most attractive results with
either polyurethane or boiled linseed oil with shellac over, but that's
with "black" mesquite, not "honey" which is what most of the North American
is, so YMMV.

Seems to glue all right but I haven't really tested it hard in that regard.

If you don't use scrapers you may want to try one--the mesquite that I've
worked with scrapes beautifully.

> -m

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Hi Mike,
Don't listen to these guys on helping you to clean your shop of that
Mesquite. I will trade you some nice Mrtlewood, or some fiddleback Maple,
for some of 8/4 mesquite it use for making some NA style flutes.
--


Richard,

Richard L. Rombold
WIZARD WOODWORKING
489 N. 32nd. St.
Springfield, Or .97478

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gallery/view?username=thewizz

"Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste
good with ketchup"
"Mike Pio" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:h8p2d.93509$yh.39987@fed1read05...
> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
samples
> today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and
they
> really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while
milling).
> I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's
gold.
>
> Any experience with mesquite??
>
> -m
>
>

Michael Burton wrote:

> [snip of good info]
>
> If anyone wants to see a big collection of mesquite stuff, come to
> Fredericksburg, Texas October 8, 9, & 10 for the Texas Mesquite
> Association's annual Spring Show and Sale. Lots of really nice mesquite
> furniture and artwork will be there. Rough lumber will even be available. I
> believe seven vendors will have lumber for sale and at least 72 with
> furniture, art, gun stocks, etc. A blacksmith buddy and I will have three
> booths there.
>
> http://www.texasmesquiteassn.org/fall-fbg-2004.html

That's a fun show, for sure. I also got a bunch of good ideas for
various projects by browsing the booths. (Like this lamp:
http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/meslamp02.jpg) While there is a fair
amount of kitschy stuff there, you find some real artisans. I also ran
across a guy who had a slab that was 8/4 by at least 24" and maybe 10'
long ... and almost totally clear! I've never seen a piece of mesquite
like that. It wasn't for sale, unless you wanted to pay him to make
something for you from it. :-)

So, Michael ... do you have any clear 12/4 stock? My stash is
almost gone, and I was hoping to get a clear piece to use for a wooden
plane body.


Chuck Vance (in Wimberley)

Michael Burton wrote:

> Nice looking lamp, Chuck.

Thanks, Michael. I stole the idea directly from one of the guys who
was showing at the TMA festival. (Except I added the inlaid star.) I
even told him what I was planning to do, and he just laughed and said,
"Good luck drilling the hole for the pipe". He evidently breaks a lot
of bits trying to drill them. I had hoped to see him this year and
suggest he might have better luck using a ship's auger bit and a
handbrace like I did. :-)

> I have been thinking of buying some crushed
> Turquoise for some future projects from a place in Albuquerque(sp?) I asked
> the native american jewelry folks use. Its called Rio Grange and they have
> a huge selection of stuff in their catalog. www.riogrande.com

Thanks for the info. When I started on that project I got my
turquoise from Craft Supplies, U.S.A.
(http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/catalog/decorative_mat.html).

FWIW, I played around with some different methods for doing the
infill, and I got the best results by packing turquoise with epoxy to
just below the surface and then coming back and filling the rest of the
way with epoxy by itself. The epoxy then acts sort of like a lens and
gives a very nice effect. Just a head's up for those who might be
playing around with the stuff.

So will you be at the fest all three days? I'm thinking of heading
up on Saturday for a while.


Chuck Vance

On Sat, 18 Sep 2004 11:31:55 -0600, Grandpa <jsdebooATcomcast.net>
wrote:

>Any thoughts on how Mesquite would turn for chess pieces?
>Grandpa (in NM)


it turns nicely.

My cousin runs a business near San Antonio called Mesquite Furniture of
Texas which, as you might guess, specializes in mesquite furniture. Here in
Chicago, the local place used to have it for about $11/bf. I notice it's
not even on the current price list. The book on it is that it's hard,
though it seems to work OK. BTW, he finishes everthing with a few coats of
precatalyzed lacquer. Some of the larger (and especially the burled) logs
get turned into fireplace mantels.

todd

"Mike Pio" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:h8p2d.93509$yh.39987@fed1read05...
> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
samples
> today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and
they
> really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while
milling).
> I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's
gold.
>
> Any experience with mesquite??
>
> -m
>
>

I love mesquite!! It is a beautiful wood. It is abrasion resistent and
pretty stable as far as contracting and expanding with humidity. It is in
the same family as poison oak and I react to it strongly. My eyes swell up,
I get sinus drainage and it feels like a bad flu. I still have an unfinished
set of pistol grips in some beautifully figured mesquite. Since I can't work
with it, I have to console myself with cocobolo (which luckily I don't react
to). The sad part is I'm in Texas where mesquite is also readily available.
I still use it for smoking on the grill.


"Mike Pio" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:h8p2d.93509$yh.39987@fed1read05...
> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
samples
> today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and
they
> really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while
milling).
> I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's
gold.
>
> Any experience with mesquite??
>
> -m
>
>

"Mike Pio" wrote in message
> Anyone use mesquite? I live in Arizona where these trees are pretty
> plentiful. I have a friend in the tree trimming business who often comes
> across very large sections of this tree. He brought me a few 2 foot
samples
> today, just rough chain sawed. I dressed them into some 8/4 stock and
they
> really came out beautiful (smelled like popcorn or something while
milling).
> I'm just wondering if I've struck it rich here, or if it's just fool's
gold.
>
> Any experience with mesquite??

Lousy wood! Smells, contracts and expands, dulls blades, and the seductive
grain will turn on you like a bad wife. Get rid of it as soon as can. Tell
you what ... just cut all you can get into 8/4 stock and we'll send you an
address where it can be properly disposed of before it corrupts you further.
.... even throw in free disposal of the chips and shavings.

You suck, BTW.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 7/10/04