Mesquite cutting board

OKCPrepper | Posted in Wood and Materials on May 26, 2020 12:05pm

I’m pretty new to the finer details of woodworking. I’ve built benches and what not so I’m somewhat familiar with the tools. Most of the wood I’ve used is your chain store lumber so I have never had to think about this one.
My father in law in AZ had a large mesquite tree die on him last year. He had it taken to a mesquite sawmill in Tucson to be cut into slabs. My wife brought me back a nice piece that I’m going to turn into a cutting board. She was told we would have to let it dry for another year before doing that. Can I please get some direction on how dry it needs to be and if there’s a way of drying it faster? I don’t want to ruin it by using it too soon.
thanks! KGB

Replies

john_c2 | May 26, 2020 12:31pm | #1
Rule of thumb says a year of drying for each inch of thickness. But it's more complicated than that.

If you have a very accurate kitchen scale that can weigh in grams or fractions of an ounce, you can weigh it periodically, and see how long it takes to stop losing moisture.
OKCPrepper | May 26, 2020 01:11pm | #2
Thanks, John! I will do some measurements and do some figuring.
_mj_ | May 26, 2020 03:30pm | #3
Since wood will lose moisture faster through the end grain than through the surface you should coat the ends with something to seal them. This will reduce the amount of checking and / or splitting that will happen as it dries. The goal is to get the whole board to dry evenly. You'll find tons of info on the FWW site for drying your own lumber.
mariorb | May 26, 2020 05:33pm | #4
As someone who has used mesquite almost exclusively for almost 30 years I don't think you have to worry much about shrinkage. It takes a lot to kill mesquite and its very hard and slow growing. We're talking arid, dry climate and if the tree died it was practically dry already. If you're thinking shrinkage along the lines if oak or cherry you've got nothing to worry about. I've made furniture, paneling and flooring with mesquite and it never warps. If only I could get to those trees before the barbeque boys do