Mesquite root

[surveyzo]

I had a guy tell me he had a good sized mesquite root ball. I know you can get some pretty cool stuff out of the base of mesquite. My question is what is something like that worth? I know he doesn't want to give it away. It's about 18"-20" in diameter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Alonzo

 

[Texatdurango]

I guess just ask him what he wants for it.

Contrary to belief in wood turning circles, mesquite is often considered just a nuicance, thorny tree by ranchers who place no value whatsoever on it and you can often get it for free. I can get all I want free and in our local turning club, someone is always bringing in a few nice size logs to give away.

 

[Wildman]

I was going the same thing, just ask!

How much of that 18"-20" diameter piece of wood usable?

 

[Daniel]

I would also ask them what they want for it. Cause for me free is always a good price. From there on it is a matter of negotiation.

 

[Gary Max]

I can't believe you guys-------remember this is a Pen makers forum.

he needs a nice mesquite pen in his shirt pocket---that's a fair trade for a craftsman.

 

[witz1976]

Wish some of you guys would send some up this way...not for turning, but for smoking. LOL i spend $8 a bag just to throw in my smoker

 

[Texatdurango]

I can't believe you guys-------remember this is a Pen makers forum.

he needs a nice cactus pen in his shirt pocket---that's a fair trade for a craftsman.

Excellent idea, offer him a nice hand crafted pen in trade. And what better trade for a Texas mesquite root ball than an original Texas cactus blank from Curtis at http://www.turntex.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=80

 

[Texatdurango]

Wish some of you guys would send some up this way...not for turning, but for smoking. LOL i spend $8 a bag just to throw in my smoker

Funny you should mention smoking. Years ago before my pen turning days I too bought mesquite for smoking my meats. At a local RV rally we got to talking about smoking meat one night when I mentioned how I went out to my firewood/smoking wood pile to grab some mesquite for smoking and since I had just started turning pens, thought this might look good turned. Turns out I had a gold mine in my firewood stack!

Long story short, a good friend said if I wanted some mesquite, don't buy it just drop by with a chain saw and a shotgun! Turns out he has an 1100+ acre ranch about 80 miles from me and has thousands of mesquite trees to choose from. The shotgun.... that's for the rattle snakes!

 

[mick]

Funny you should mention smoking. Years ago before my pen turning days I too bought mesquite for smoking my meats. At a local RV rally we got to talking about smoking meat one night when I mentioned how I went out to my firewood/smoking wood pile to grab some mesquite for smoking and since I had just started turning pens, thought this might look good turned. Turns out I had a gold mine in my firewood stack!

Long story short, a good friend said if I wanted some mesquite, don't buy it just drop by with a chain saw and a shotgun! Turns out he has an 1100+ acre ranch about 80 miles from me and has thousands of mesquite trees to choose from. The shotgun.... that's for the rattle snakes!

That's a twofer! Mesquite and the snakeskin if you happen to run across one!

 

[snowman56]

It is not if it is when you run across one

 

[witz1976]

Funny you should mention smoking. Years ago before my pen turning days I too bought mesquite for smoking my meats. At a local RV rally we got to talking about smoking meat one night when I mentioned how I went out to my firewood/smoking wood pile to grab some mesquite for smoking and since I had just started turning pens, thought this might look good turned. Turns out I had a gold mine in my firewood stack!

Long story short, a good friend said if I wanted some mesquite, don't buy it just drop by with a chain saw and a shotgun! Turns out he has an 1100+ acre ranch about 80 miles from me and has thousands of mesquite trees to choose from. The shotgun.... that's for the rattle snakes!

SO plenty of turning and smoking wood, and snake skins to boot. Not a bad deal. so when should i give ya my address LOL:redface:

 

[Monty]

Funny you should mention smoking. Years ago before my pen turning days I too bought mesquite for smoking my meats. At a local RV rally we got to talking about smoking meat one night when I mentioned how I went out to my firewood/smoking wood pile to grab some mesquite for smoking and since I had just started turning pens, thought this might look good turned. Turns out I had a gold mine in my firewood stack!

Long story short, a good friend said if I wanted some mesquite, don't buy it just drop by with a chain saw and a shotgun! Turns out he has an 1100+ acre ranch about 80 miles from me and has thousands of mesquite trees to choose from. The shotgun.... that's for the rattle snakes!

I think you need to host an IAP meeting at your friend's place so we can all stock up on mesquite and RS skins.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[DFerguson777]

LOL ---I needed that!
-Denny- NC

That's a twofer! Mesquite and the snakeskin if you happen to run across one!

 

[dankc908]

Wish some of you guys would send some up this way...not for turning, but for smoking. LOL i spend $8 a bag just to throw in my smoker

Oh - you're talking about cooking-type smoking. You had me worried there for a minute <GRIN>!
arty:

 

[TellicoTurning]

I'll take the mesquite, but you can keep the rattle snakes.... I guess snakes are as close to a phobia as I have... they give me the willies and I won't even watch them on TV.