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Author Topic: Mesquite lumber  (Read 2148 times)

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Offline Alan R McDaniel Jr

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Mesquite lumber
« on: May 22, 2011, 01:55:42 AM »
I was going to wait till I had a start to finish sequence but it doesn't seem to be developing, so I'm just going to start.  Here are the logs.  I only use dead trees, not so much because I don't like to cut live trees (which I don't like to do) but because the lumber from the dead trees is usually already dried and doesn't have to be stickered (usually).  I'll start with this picture and work through the operation.  These logs will go for a table my dad is building and I am going to try and get a mantle piece out of them as well.  Of course we never know what we'll find once the saw opens them up. They may just make some BBQ wood.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2011, 02:04:02 AM »
It makes nice looking stocks.
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Offline Alan R McDaniel Jr

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2011, 02:30:01 AM »
Yes, it does.  We try to save especially good grain and pieces without too many voids for that purpose.  We haven't made any yet but we have 5-6 good blank slabs that will maybe make two stocks each.  I was researching some places that would turn custom blanks but, as with many other things, that takes time and time is THE most valuable commodity in the universe.

I don't think any of these logs has any stock blank quality wood in them.  There is one of them with the twist that may make some good looking grain but we'll see.  Probably won't get them cut till late June.

Alan
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2011, 02:31:43 AM »
I've also seen some really nice pistol grips & knife scales made from mesquite.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline mauser98us

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2011, 07:23:15 AM »
Living in Arizona,Mesquite might as well be the state tree. While I agree that it makes great stock wood, the problem is finding one that isn't twisted.knotted etc. Also you have the issue of finding sand etc in the grain structure. All is not lost tho, steaks and pork are mighty tasty cooked on it. Cheers.
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2011, 03:26:53 PM »
Quote from: Swampman on May 22, 2011, 02:31:43 AM
I've also seen some really nice pistol grips & knife scales made from mesquite.

Yes it does...  this set was made for my Contender 12" 22LRM Bullberry - Screwbean Mesquite with Birdseye Maple caps.

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Offline BUGEYE

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2011, 05:23:39 AM »
Well, after a lifetime of reading western books, I thought mesquite was just brush.
now I know better.  that''s pretty wood on that pistol.
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Offline Alan R McDaniel Jr

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #7 on: June 26, 2011, 05:53:54 PM »
At last! Made some sawdust. Tried to post pictures but for some reason can't do it.

Alan
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Offline Alan R McDaniel Jr

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #8 on: June 26, 2011, 07:33:59 PM »
try #4
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Offline Zulu

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2011, 02:18:50 PM »
Alan,
Those are sweet!  What are you going to do with them?
Zulu
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Offline Alan R McDaniel Jr

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2011, 03:31:10 AM »
I wish I could have posted some more pictures but for whatever reasons I couldn't.  I cut some of the roots off and they have somewhat the appearance of Cypress Knees.  I am going to either use them as legs on the slabs for tables or as lamps.  I thought that I would possibly make a base for the large end of he slabs and have a single "root leg" for the small end. I'll just have to see how they look.  The large ends of the slabs are at the transition point of the tree and root and has some incredible grain plus a large hole to add to the character.  I also cut a few limb pieces for bowls.  I have more work than I care to do at the moment.  We cut these particular slabs at 7/4 so they are good and heavy.  We cut three logs and we were on our third blade when we finished.  That stuff is really hard but well worth the effort for the finished product.

Alan
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Offline gunther66

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2011, 12:35:44 PM »
I read somewhere that Mesquite can be one of the oldest living plants.Is that just in harsh remote places?Ever count growth rings?  G66
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Offline Alan R McDaniel Jr

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2011, 05:11:53 PM »
No, not that I can remember, but I have another scale that I can use.  I can't post the pictures because I don't have them scanned, but....


My  Great-great-grandfather moved to Benavides, Texas in or around 1903.  He took some pictures during the building of his house and views show NO trees around the house.  Today, roughly 107 years later there is a huge mesquite tree that is in its death throes growing where there were no trees 107 years before.  The base of the trunk is at least 5 feet in diameter and at its highest it was as high as the windmill (approx 45' - 50' on a 12' mill).  It is(was) the biggest mesquite tree I've ever seen, so I am assuming the oldest as well. 


They do get old but I'm sure Live Oaks get older.  There are some here in Goliad that I'm sure are pushing 300 years.


Alan

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Offline Drilling Man

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Re: Mesquite lumber
« Reply #13 on: October 03, 2011, 09:42:06 AM »
  Long ago, i stocked a .458 Win. in a REALLY nice high quality mesquite blank.  It was hard/stable and really beautiful...  It makes a very good stock, although heavy, if you can find a piece big enough to get a blank out of.
 
  DM
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