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Larger Mesquite Blanks and Other Interesting Pieces
Note : Dimensions given below are Length x Width x Depth of a blank are measured end to end (cut ends), side to side (not corner to corner), and height as cut surface to outer edge of sapwood. Theoretically these numbers provide the dimensions of the largest bowl that might be turned from that piece if no major flaws are encountered. The measurements are to the closest 1/4 inch. Most of these blanks are rough cut - I do not have the time or resources to joint all of the cut surfaces.
The approximate weight (in pounds) were measured at the time that the blanks were photographed and sealed. Some drying will occur and the weights are likely to be less by the time that the blanks are delivered. The descriptions accompanying the photos describe all obvious physical flaws or character features, the good and the bad, such as pith cracks, checks, flame figure, etc.
You can see examples of various bowls and vessels turned from Texas Honey Mesquite and other "exotic" Texas woods on my companion website, www.prairiesend.com.
NEW LISTINGS - 03/13/09
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Mesquite Lot 72x
9" x 9" x 4-1/2"
14 lbs.
This is a nice and symmetrical, deep half-log Mesquite bowl blank. Full bark on the back will allow for a possible natural edge bowl.
This is a classic piece of Mesquite and exhibits most of the Mesquite "character features" (aka "flaws" to non-Mesquite woodworkers!). It was cut through the pith such that a portion remains, and that pith is the center for several minor radial cracks and a cluster of small borer holes (end-grain and cut face, top photo). The cracks are short and quite tight at one end (top photo) but are a bit larger and open at the other end (barely visible at the lower edge of the end-grain surface, bottom photo).
In addition there appear to be elongated sap pockets in the sapwood (most apparent on lower right portion of the cut face, top photo), occasional minor borer holes at the sapwood-bark interface, and a small, elongated bark-inclusion in the cut face. Exciting stuff!!!
If I were turning, this would be a natural-edge bowl form where most of the features described above would be turned-off to make the bottom of the bowl. Any remaining pith-related cracks would be reinforced and/or filled as required with CA glue during turning.
Any additional "character features" revealed during turning would simply be a natural part of your unique Texas Honey Mesquite bowl!
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Mesquite Lot 72x |
25.00 |
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Mesquite Lot 73x
8" x 10" x 3-1/2"
13 lbs.
This is another nice and symmetrical half-log Mesquite bowl blank. Full bark on the back will allow for a possible natural edge bowl.
This is also a classic piece of Mesquite and exhibits many of the Mesquite "character features" (aka "flaws" to non-Mesquite woodworkers!). However, the pith was cut out and no pith-related cracks are present. There is localized cluster of small borer holes (cut face, top photo and end-grain, bottom photo).
In addition there is at least one elongated sap pocket in the sapwood (most apparent on the right edge of the cut face, top photo) and several small circular to elongated bark-inclusions in the cut face.
I see no structural flaws or additional "character features" that would mar your "turning". Any other "features" revealed during turning would have to simply be a natural part of your unique Texas Honey Mesquite bowl!
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Mesquite Lot 73x |
25.00 |
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Mesquite Lot 74x
8" x 10-1/2" x 4"
13-1/2 lbs.
This is another nice and symmetrical half-log Mesquite bowl blank. Full bark on the back will allow for a possible natural edge bowl.
This half was cut close to the pith and a small portion of the pith, and two small pith-related radial cracks are present at one end (lower end, top photo). If a natural-edge form is planned, it looks as if those cracks would be turned off at the base. In addition, there is a prominent, elongated and curving borer hole at the left side of the cut face. That hole is about 1/4" deep - you might want to just trim that face down by 1/4".
I see no structural flaws or additional "character features"
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Mesquite Lot 75x
8" x 11-1/2" x 4"
17-1/2 lbs.
This is another nice and symmetrical half-log Mesquite bowl blank - the other half of the log that yielded lot #74. Full bark on the back will allow for a possible natural edge bowl.
This half was cut close to the pith and most of the pithincluded (both photos). Several short but prominent, pith-related radial cracks are present. These would require reinforcing and possibly filling with CA glue or epoxy during turning. These are not drying checks, but growth features typical of Mesquite - I do not expect further cracking as the wood ages.
There are several prominent, borer holes in the sapwood and partially into the heartwood, including the other half of that curving hole described for lot 74 (top photo). I see no structural flaws or additional "character features"
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Mesquite Lot 75x |
25.00 |
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END OF NEW LISTINGS - 03/13/09
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Mesquite Mistletoe Burl Lot 1
diameter ~14" (top) and 11" (bottom) and 12" high
~50 lbs.
This is a very large and beautiful, whole-log section of Mesquite Mistletoe Burl. Mistletoe burl forms in response to Mistletoe's growth on Mesquite limbs. The burly character is produced when mistletoe attaches itself to a branch of a mesquite limb where it draws moisture and nutrients to that place and causes the wood to swell up. Over the years, this growth results in a complex and very attractive grain pattern. I'm told that those dark streaks appearing in the wood are the roots of the mistletoe.
This piece is broad and "keg" shaped and could be suitable for a variety of turned or sculpted forms. I decided not to cut it down but leave it to someone else to decide what lies within.
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Mesquite Mistletoe Burl Lot 1 |
$100.00 |
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Mesquite Mistletoe Burl Lot 2
diameter ~14" (top) and 8-9" (bottom) and 17" high
~60 lbs.
This is another very large and beautiful, whole-log section of Mesquite Mistletoe Burl. The burly grain pattern is quite strong at one end (larger) but not so apparent at the other (smaller) end.
This piece is more elongated than its companion above (Lot 1) and exhibits a gently curved overall form. It may be suited for an some type of vase or other upright form. Again, I decided not to cut this piece down but leave it to someone else to decide what turned or sculpted form lies within.
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Mesquite Mistletoe Burl Lot 2 |
$120.00 |
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Mesquite Mistletoe Burl Lot 3
diameter ~14" (top) and 8-9" (bottom) and 17" high
~30 lbs.
This is another beautiful, whole-log section of Mesquite Mistletoe Burl. Similar to Lot 2 above, the burly grain pattern is quite strong at one end (larger) but not so apparent at the other (smaller) end. It also has a prominent side limb near the upper end, which is likely to result in some degree of "flame" or "feather" figure within that burly pattern.
It is also quite elongated and strongly curved. and may be suited for an some type of vase or other upright form. Again, I decided not to cut this piece down but leave it to someone else to decide what turned or sculpted form lies within.
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Mesquite Mistletoe Burl Lot 3 |
$60.00 |
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Mesquite Mistletoe Burl Lot 124
~9 x 9 x 5"
14-1/2 lbs.
This is large half-log blank of Mistletoe Mesquite burl. This blank has full but somewhat burly-irregular bark on the back side, so it is suitable for turning of a natural-edge bowl. However, some attention will have to be given to those pith-related voids on the sawn face (I'd fill them with black epoxy before mounting it on my lathe).
The color is the rich reddish brown of mesquite heartwood, but it also includes a thin "rim" of bright yellow Mesquite sapwood.
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Mesquite Mistletoe Burl Lot 124 |
$35.00 |
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Mesquite Lot 100
7-1/2 x 8-1/2 x 3"
8 lbs.
This is a very nice Honey Mesquite half-log blank suitable for an ~7 to 8 inch bowl, depending on whether you want sapwood and bark included. The depth indicated (3") is my estimate of maximum potential bowl depth from the cut face to the bark. The color is the rich reddish brown of mesquite heartwood, but it also includes portions of the bright yellow Mesquite sapwood.
This blank has full bark on the back side, so it is suitable for turning of either a natural-edge or a traditional bowl. The log was halved right close to the pith and minor, pith-related ring cracks are present to shallow depth (<1") at one end (top photo). For a conventional bowl, I would reinforce these with CA glue and turn for full depth. They could also be removed by "facing" the blank. In a natural-edge bowl form, these minor cracks would be removed buring rough-out.
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Mesquite Lot 100 |
$16.00 |
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Mesquite Block 28
10-1/2 x 10-3/4 x 3-1/2"
13-1/2 lbs.
This is a large rounded blank of Honey Mesquite cut from a small crotch. The color is the rich reddish brown of mesquite heartwood with a feather-type grain pattern within and around the crotch. There is yellow Mesquite sapwood and full bark on the back, however the bark is not tight and may prove difficult to maintain for a natural-edge bowl.
The pith of the primary limb is present approximately 3/4" below the cut face. Several small but open, pith-related radial and ring cracks are present and intersect the cut face. Most of these cracks could be removed by "facing" the blank, however I would reinforce and fill them with a combination of CA glue and colored epoxy and turn for full depth. This could make a for a very nice conventional bowl.
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Mesquite Block 28 |
$20.00 |
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Mesquite Block 29
6" diameter x 2-1/2"
2-1/2 lbs.
This is a small rounded blank of Honey Mesquite. The color is the reddish brown of mesquite heartwood but with a shading of darker spalting on one edge and a small area of sapwood on the back side.
One thin but open radial crack is present and intersects the cut face and adjacent side (top photo). I would reinforce and fill it with a combination of CA glue and colored epoxy. Those straight lines on the top and bottom sides are just saw marks, not additional cracks!
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Mesquite Lot 260
11" diameter x 4" deep
14 lbs.
This is another very nice, half-log bowl blank from a compound crotch - the other side of the Lot 259 crotch. Before I halved it, I counted four separate limbs in this piece, and the grain pattern will be influenced by more than just the two major limbs. That is a beautiful feather figure between the main branches and should look really nice in the bottom of a natural-edge bowl. I say "natural-edge" because a broad depression in the back side make it really too thin for a worthwhile conventional bowl. However, the back does not contain full bark due to an unfortunately close-trim of one branch - so the final rim would not be full "natural edge" (the price reflects this).
The crotch was cut off-center and most of the pith has been removed. The only potential "flaw" that I recognize is the bark-included crotch gap between the two major limbs. It is partially open on the cut face will result in a barky gap in the finished natural-edge bowl. It does not appear to be a structural flaw and I would not hesitate to turn it - and address the gap as it appears, either leaving it as an artistic "character feature" or filling it with my usual coal-black epoxy. However - I know that some people would shy-off at this so I have reduced the price accordingly.
This blank was also roughly-rounded to reduce shipping weight and reveal some of the internal figure. It is ready to mount on your lathe and begin turning.
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Mesquite Lot 167
10"x 9"x 4"
16 lbs.
This is a nice symmetrical half-log Mesquite bowl blank with full bark on the back. The face was cut through the pith such that a thin portion remains. It and the minor associated cracks can be readily removed during initial turning. A prominent ring crack (wind shake) is present in one half of the blank and is partially open. If I were turning this piece, I'd design it to be a natural-edge bowl, removing most of the ring crack as waste and then stabilizing/filling any remaining portion of the crack with CA glue (and sawdust, inlace or epoxy??) as I turned.
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Mesquite Lot 167 |
$25.00 |
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Mesquite Root Ball Lot 130
11" diameter and 7" height
28 lbs.
This is a classic chunk of Texas Honey Mesquite Root Ball Burl. It is essentially the heart of the root ball without the protruding/branching roots. It has been trimmed to a rough round shape (rather than a half-log form), and flattened on top and bottom, reducing the shipping and handling weight.
This is not your buddy's clean and featureless bowl blank - this is a beautifully figured but highly irregular block suitable for creative turning to produce an artistic piece (assuming that you can find it in there :-). The grain is complex and beautiful, wrapped around a mess of classic Mesquite flaws that are carried to extreme in the root ball. These Mesquite "flaws" include large to small cavities, bark inclusions, radial and "wind shake" ring cracks, pith of the stump as well as those of branching roots, large bug "bores" associated with the pith, lots of sapwood and more-recent bug bores within the sapwood. The color is the rich reddish brown of mesquite heartwood, but it also includes portions of the bright yellow Mesquite sapwood and dark brown root-bark.
As with my other large bowl pieces, this blank offers the opportunity to core out several additional, nested bowls. This piece has spent the last 2 months in a deep freezer at sub-zero temperatures - if the Locust borers that carved-out the recent holes in the sapwood are still alive, they are mighty tough creatures!!
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Mesquite Root Ball Lot 130 |
$100.00 |
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Lot 767
4"x6.5"x2"
2.5 lbs.
A nice small half-log (or half-branch) bowl blank with the bark-on. It appears sound with no visible cracks.
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Lot 142
12"x17"x6"
45 lbs.
This is a nice large and deep half-log Mesquite bowl blank with bark-on for possible natural edge turning. The color is the rich reddish brown of mesquite heartwood, but it also includes portions of the bright yellow Mesquite sapwood along portions of the rim and certainly beneath the bark on the back side.
As shown on the photo, a 12" bowl lies within, but with quite a bit of additional and useful wood on the end. I could have trimmed off this excess but decided that it could be useful for other, smaller projects such as bottle stoppers, or small boxes. If you employ a bowl coring device as I do, there is a good chance that you can get 2 to 3 nested bowls out of a blank of this size.
This blank is quite sound. There are minor, shallow pith cracks on the cut face but I anticipate that they will easily turn-off when the blank is initially turned and the top flattened. All of the end-grain surfaces have been sealed immediately after cutting..
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Lot 144
14"x15"x4"
52 lbs.
This is another nice, very large and deep half-log Mesquite blank - the half brother to Lot 143. It also has full bark on the back side and is suitable for either a conventional bowl or for a natural edge bowl. The color is the rich reddish brown of mesquite heartwood, but it also includes portions of the bright yellow Mesquite sapwood along portions of the rim and certainly beneath the bark on the back side.
As shown on the photo, a 14" bowl with a touch of sapwood is possible from this blank. If you employ a bowl coring device, there is a good chance that you can get 2 to 3 additional nested bowls out of a blank of this size.
This blank is generally sound but there is one prominent radial crack - that eye-catching crack across the cut face. That crack would not slow me down - I would seal and stabilize the crack with CA glue as I turned. However, because of this crack and the additional effort required, I have reduced the price.
There are also minor drying cracks at one end due to the log being left without end-grain sealer for several months (note the mesquite stability - these minor checks are all that resulted from excessive drying of the log!). These drying cracks should be less than 1" deep and should not interfere with turning of that larger, 14-inch bowl. The exposed end-grain was wax-sealed immediately after cutting the blank from the log.
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Listing last updated 5 June 2009
Nothing here that suits your needs?
Then send me an email at: l.stahl@maroon.com
or a telephone call at: 281-392-5336
There is a good chance that I have more, either cut into blocks or in the rough log,
so I may be able to meet your specific requirements.
© 2008, Texas Woodcrafts
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