Using Mesquite for other than cooking or knife Handles

rhrocker

rhrocker

Joined
Jan 18, 2004
Messages
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Don't mean to be OT here, but this is what I've been doing for the past several months. I don't always get to use my mesquite for knife handles, sometimes I have to make a dining or conference table or rocking chair. This one is my 9th of the large Conference type tables. It's going to a museum in Oklahoma. I did have plenty of scraps left over from this project to cook a lot of hamburgers, and make a lot of scales for knives:D
The project took about 1.5 years. It's approximately one ton of solid mesquite. Specs are 224" long x 60" in width. Now I can get back to some engraving and knife making! Thanks for looking!
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Just, wow....


Absolutely beautiful work, congratulations!

Edit: Where did you get that much mesquite!?!
 
Beautiful ! Is it plain mesquite or screwbean mesquite ? I'm surprized that you can get big boards from it at all.
 
That is seriously awesome.

He is in Uvalde Texas,,,, Mesquite country....
 
Mesquite makes big trees if you are in the right place-SE Texas and southern Arizona. I just traded a knife for a 60 lb burl this weekend that was slabbed off of a Mesquite 20 years ago in the San Pedro Valley, NE of Tucson. There are a lot of Mesquite trees along the San Pedro downstream from Benson, AZ (NW) that get into the 3-4 feet in diameter range.

The Arizona Honey Mesquite is a little darker and browner than the Honey Mesquite I have gotten from Texas. Screwbean and black Mesquite don't get as large as far as I know.

RObert that is a just beautiful table.
 
Many thanks guys! Most of the mesquite logs I get are at least 16" in diameter, and up to 36". I have one log inside my building, I chained it up about 20 years ago there. It's 14 feet tall, and at the base is 4 feet. I also have a log out in the yard that's over 19 feet long, and straight. Large and long boards have not ever been a problem here where I live in South Central Texas. It is the "Honey" Mesquite, I believe the "Screwbean" has more character buy isn't quite as large, maybe darker also, just as Steve says.
Tracy I'll shoot some more shots tomorrow for you, and the other guy. I sure appreciate the comments!
 
Robert,
At first, I thought you had made use of that log in your shop. As usual, your work is unsurpassed. The next time I get out your way, I'll make it point to stop by. I haven't been through Uvalde since the last time I stopped a couple of years ago.

Craig
 
Hi Craig, you're (or anyone) welcome in my shop any time. Has it been two years since you were here? Wow. No, I didn't use the big log. I want to be buried in that log if I can figure out how to carve it out to fit me. My wife doesn't like the idea though, because she wants to have a big BBQ feast when I'm gone, and use that log to cook with. (note: I watch her very closely at all times...)
 
I only have two words for that . Wah toosi . L:O:L

1 1/2 years for the table ? Good thing they didn,t ask you for a dozen chairs . L:O:L
 
Beutiful work! I'll have to show the pics to my father, he does wood work and will love it!:thumbup:
 
Question for you Robert,

There is a mesquite log laying on my place up north of you at Junction that is half again larger around than I can reach and maybe 8 to 10 ft long. I haven't paid it much attention other than to shove it out of the way a few times with the back hoe. I think it may be hollowed out some.

Probably been on the ground 4 or 5 years since they did some work on our trail.

I am clueless... You think any of it might be useful?

Just curious,
Larry
 
Thanks again guys! Raymond, no chairs with this one, but I'll make 12 of them with the next table. It's a dining table for a Houston client for his home out West of here a ways.
Larry, I just can't answer your question without seeing the log. I don't know how interested you are in it, but if you want to bring it to Uvalde someday, I'll cut it for you on my mill. I've noticed that sometimes the ugliest Mesquite trees have the best grain patterns in them. Of course your log may be the exception, just don't know. (Call a couple of days before you come down if you decide to Larry).
 
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