desert tree question

Re: desert tree question

Sean troy

>The mesquite can be rough on a blade because of the silica. I,m not sure about the other.

Re: desert tree question

Ron in Drums PA

>Yes, but if you don't crack a few eggs you can't make an omelet.

I'm not familiar with chinaberry, can you tell me something about it?

Re: desert tree question

ken chase

>Don't know much. It's dark, dense and hard. Very attractice . It's a dirty tree and grows in the desert. Drops berries that look like olives.

Re: desert tree question

Stacey S

>Chinaberry is a naturalized tree from china. It is in the Mahogony family. Here is south georgia it grows everywhere and grows very very fast. On one tree I cut recently the growth rings were almost an inch apart. The chinaberry I have cut hasn't been too bad on the bandsaw blades. It is a suprisingly nice wood for a junk tree. I have enjoyed turning it the few times that I have. and has seemed fairly stable, I havent had much trouble with it cracking.

Stacey

Re: desert tree question

ken chase

>Stacey:

That was much like my experience. Looks a lot like mahogany with similar color. Thanks for the post

Re: desert tree question

Jerry Whitaker

>A Timberwolf bandsaw blade (4tpi hooktooth) can cut a lot of Mesquite. I have been using one on my 18 in. Jet bandsaw for over a year and 80% of what I cut is Mesquite. The original blade that came with the saw would hardly cut when new.

Re: desert tree question

ken chase

>Jerry:

I guess I goofed up. I bought a Timberwolf 1/2" three tpi especially for green wood and when I ran some really dry hard desert wood through it the blade was ruined. It may be a good product but with definite limitations. I'm going to buy a chain saw

for really difficult to cut lumber. These band saw blades are too costly to discard after a few uses.

Re: desert tree question

Don Henthorn

>But, Ken, won't a chainsaw blade dull just as fast?

Re: desert tree question

ken chase

>Good question. I just used one today for the first time. It ripped through a thick chunk of mesquite pretty fast. I think it could be useful to cut large sections into something more manageable. Maybe I'm wrong but today when I saw what the saw produced it seemed like a good idea.

Thanks for the post

Re: desert tree question

Gary Evans, Tallassee, TN

>Ken,

The thing about a chainsaw is that it can be resharpened numerous times even after extreme dulling like hitting rocks. DAMHIKT!

Bandsaw blades can be touched up, but not as many times, I don't think.

Gary

Re: desert tree question

Gary Evans, Tallassee, TN

>Ken,

Be cautious with the Chinaberry. The variety that grows here in the South has poisonous leaves, twigs, and fruit. I would imagine that the sawdust might create issues with your skin.

That being said, would you like to trade some Chinaberry for some green Maple?

Gary