Has anyone used Mesquite wood for bed wood?
If so,what type of finish did you use. I'm thinking of a oil finish, but not sure.
Being from Texas we have all the Mesquite we can need, just have to find enough long enough and strait enough. But the look of the wood will make it worth it.
Thanks

 

I don't think I've ever seen a mesquite tree (bush) that was big enough to get 6-foot long boards from.

 

I posted a photo of someone else's pickup with a Mesquite Bed.

 

I believe if you try and make it into boards the dang stuff just doesn't stay straight or flat. I'm no woodworker but I think that's the case.

 

A friend of mine use to harvest mesquite TREES and turn them into 5/4 planks, many of which were 6' long. He's disabled now and lives somewhere in south Texas and I have lost touch with him.

He did donate a few planks for one of my sculptures when I was in college in Odessa. The wood was used for the prow of a wooden boat. It has remained stable in my studio for a dozen years. Beautiful wood and properly dried lumber is very pricy.

Good luck finding a mill out here to run mesquite planks on the cheap. Is there a Paxton's in Abilene? Ft. Worth is your next best bet. I sure wish that I had the foresight to grab up some of my friend's lumber before he went away.

mesquiteless in midland, himmelberg

 

all can say is damn thats purdy.

 

wow, that is a nice wood. Looks to me like the ocasional red pine that has lots of wane, only that's more flat. I like the ideas of different woods, and have thrown a couple ideas around myself....diamond willow, and aspen. But I'm looking for a white/ivory type wood only in a hardwood type. But if I wanted dark, I'd sure try that Mesquite anyway i can.

 

Now wouldn't that Mesquite make a nice Steak Bed?

 

I'll keep the scraps for that, maybe a nice T-Bone.

 

I was thinking BBQ myself........

 

I'll bring the frosties.

 

Anyone know the thickness of bed wood? My '49 currently has a metal floor that I plan on cutting out and replacing with that "purdy" wood.

 

Cedar might not be quite as dark but I bet it could look similar with the knots and the varying colors from dark to orange/tan and lighter, plus it would smell good! just thinking of a possible alternative??


Good luck JM

 

That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the wood color. I wonder if cedar would be hard enough though...?

Mesquite sure is a cool lookin' wood!

 

Use it in my smoker all the time...great stuff, but have never heard of it being used for a bed floor!