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" wrote in message
...
"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.

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Last update: 7/10/04