I'm new to the desert and a guy I know is taking down a big mesquite in a few weeks. He says I can have some of it and I'd like to prepare.
I've roughed out and finished hundreds of bowls back east. I learned at CAW (Capitol Area Woodturners) and refined my methods working with Bill Grumbine in Pa.
But this is the desert and Mesquite is a pretty hard wood.
I do have some experience turning Live Oak and Pecan and Hickory. Not really a big fan of any of it
So my normal approach
Show up with my chain saw, slab out blanks (removing the middle annual ring), paint/wax on both ends and try to recover from the grueling work that can be.
At least a few days (and whatever cocktail and/or analgesic is necessary) I'd rough turn some of the above blanks, normally put the roughouts in shavings and wait some time.
Look in the bags of shaving to make sure no mold was happening
After a month or so in the shavings I'd throw the roughouts in a box an wait a year. Then I'd finish them out.
Questions.
1. Does this approach work in the desert with mesquite?
2. What needs to change?
3. Can I turn a finished bowl from wet mesquite and not have it explode/delaminate. I expect it out of round.
4 Tips and tricks are appreciated.
I've roughed out and finished hundreds of bowls back east. I learned at CAW (Capitol Area Woodturners) and refined my methods working with Bill Grumbine in Pa.
But this is the desert and Mesquite is a pretty hard wood.
I do have some experience turning Live Oak and Pecan and Hickory. Not really a big fan of any of it
So my normal approach
Show up with my chain saw, slab out blanks (removing the middle annual ring), paint/wax on both ends and try to recover from the grueling work that can be.
At least a few days (and whatever cocktail and/or analgesic is necessary) I'd rough turn some of the above blanks, normally put the roughouts in shavings and wait some time.
Look in the bags of shaving to make sure no mold was happening
After a month or so in the shavings I'd throw the roughouts in a box an wait a year. Then I'd finish them out.
Questions.
1. Does this approach work in the desert with mesquite?
2. What needs to change?
3. Can I turn a finished bowl from wet mesquite and not have it explode/delaminate. I expect it out of round.
4 Tips and tricks are appreciated.