Mesquite Wood???

[Donny J. Victory]

I have been told that mesquite is an extremely hard exotic. They say about twice as hard as maple. Is anybody out there aware of the desirability of this wood or furniture made from this wood???

[Ken Darga]

Mesquite is an expensive wood.

It's perfect for almost any woodworking project. Not only is mesquite harder than most hardwoods (2.5 times harder than oak), it is also the most dimensionally stable commercial hardwood available.  This means that there will be fewer expansion and contraction problems in table tops and other woodworking projects when humidity levels change.

Mesquite is a very stable wood; when it shifts or moves, it doesn't buckle or split.  Long-lasting, it can withstand heavy weight and moisture changes. 

Mesquite is a beautiful medium to work with. "Defects" such as bark pockets, ring shake and resin pockets are found in larger logs.  Occasionally, mesquite wood will show evidence of mineral streaks, ingrown bark, latent buds, and bug blemishes.  These defects often add to the character of the rustic furniture created from mesquite wood.

Due to the irregularities of mesquite, no two pieces will ever be identical.

Besides simply constructing the furniture, you may have to spend days filling worm holes, charring edges, or smoothing branch splits, etc.

Today, many people associate mesquite with barbecue, but it has numerous other uses, such as flooring and staircases where it's ideal due to its durability.  It's become a medium for artistic carvings. It is used to make furniture pieces ranging from doors, paneling, lumber and fence posts to rocking chairs, humidors, desks and tables.  Mesquite makes for an attractive mantle.

Early pioneers used mesquite for fence posts, wagon wheels and furniture,

as well as fires for warmth and cooking.  Mesquite slabs even served as street and walkway paving. 

From firewood to furniture, mesquite has proven to be one of the most useful trees in Texas.

If you have access to the wood and plan to harvest it yourself, take along several extra chain saw blades.

Carbide cutting tools would be the preferred choice.

Saw blades dull easily and fast, due to lots of sand particles embedded in the wood.

    

In the desert plains, mesquite is more of a bush.

[Donny J. Victory]

Thanks, Ken

Yes I was planning onharvesting it myself. I have many acres covered in mesquite which I have been clearing out of pens and lots since I was old enough to swing an ax LOL

I am starting to produce specialty furniture for people that can't find exactly what they are looking for at the big stores. A customer asked me if I had ever considered mesquite. I thought that I should check into it more.

Thanks again for the info.