Mesquite scales

panch0

panch0

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
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I cut some mesquite today a brought a few pieces home. Other than using a kiln, what would be a good size to cut these and dry them to use as scales in the future. I can't afford a kiln or anything like that and am just curious if it can be done at home. The wood is about 4-6 inches in diameter. Thanks.
-frank
 
You can make a cabinet with chicken wire shelves and a couple of light bulbs in it. The low heat will wick the moisture out and chicken wire allows the air to circulate. As far as size, I'd say no less than 5" in length and 1 1/2" in width. I'd leave a couple wider (maybe 2 1/2") for your shapier handles.
 
Thanks TecSec. So then I need to cut the scales out then dry? Also do you only use the center of the branch or try to get as many scales as you can out of it?
 
Just a fyi I live in the desert and mesuqite is everywhere, I have dried some for knife handles and in alot of cases is will split from the middle of the scale instead of from the end like you would think. If you can try and get the root, It's hard to tell from a quality pice of Desert Iron wood. But Teksec is absolutely right, just in a controled (small cabinet) with a 40w bulb depending on cabinet size with chicken wire or some why to get air movement. The faster you try and go the more will end up in the BBQ, Makes the steaks good so its a win win.
 
You know, now that I think about it, a smoker might be perfect for this. If the lowest setting is still too warm, you can put a light bulb in the bottom.

That way you don't have to build anything special. However, if the smoker is well used, your scales might get a little stinky...:) But heck, it might give your next fillet knife a little extra luck. I can sure use all the luck I can get when I'm fish'n!
 
I dry and use a bunch of mesquite. My usual method is to bandsaw it into half moons as long as possible, stack it in the garage, and forget about it for a year, minimum. Cutting it once seems to help relieve the center cracking, though the cracking starts literally within minutes of cutting it if it is green.

Once it has dried, I then bandsaw it out into slabs at least 1/2" thick. Keep the pairs matched...tape them together. The better you are at resawing them the thinner you can go. Run them through a planer and they are ready for scales! Keeping them as long as possible helps with the planer, and it helps as much of the cracking will be from the ends and you have surplus to trim out.

The biggest thing that helps me is to leave it as long (length) as possible as long (time) as you are able.

Keep in mind that 4-6" diameter wood isn't going to give you much to work with. Keep your eyes open for large pieces!

Have fun! If it all goes to heck then you still have good chips for the BBQ!
 
Pancho, I've been buildling mesquite furniture from S. Texas honey mesquite for 27 years in Uvalde. If you can get the piece to me, I'll run it through my vacuum kiln on my next load, otherwise, slab it as thin as you need, and heat very, very slowly and carefully @ minimum heat.
Hope this helps!
Robert
 
rhrocker said:
Pancho, I've been buildling mesquite furniture from S. Texas honey mesquite for 27 years in Uvalde. If you can get the piece to me, I'll run it through my vacuum kiln on my next load, otherwise, slab it as thin as you need, and heat very, very slowly and carefully @ minimum heat.
Hope this helps!
Robert
Click to expand...
Robert is the guy you should listen to on this subject for sure. Check out the picture of the stand he made for that Jerry Fisk knife and Paul Long sheath and you will know what I mean. It was the picture for "who's the maker" contest in whatever mag does that a few months back.
 
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