Mesquite

Interested in making clay pipes, meerschaums, olive woods, or some other exotic material? Talk about it here.
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geek33
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Joined: Thu May 25, 2017 6:49 pm

Mesquite

Post by geek33 »

Hey y'all. I am extremely new here and reading online I had seen sites stating pipes could be done from oak and mesquite. Reading here yesterday I saw people saying avoid oak, but what about mesquite? I live in southern Arizona and cannot throw a rock with out hitting one. I love the taste on the grill, but not sure how it would smoke as a pipe. Thanks in advance for your help.

Steve

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sandahlpipe
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Re: Mesquite

Post by sandahlpipe »

It takes as much time or longer to make a pipe from cheap materials as compared with good materials. Many woods are probably safe to use. And for practicing, they'll all do fine. Some wood has safety to consider, especially with exotic woods. You can reference the wood toxicity database (just google the wood species and "toxicity" to find info) Most of the danger lies in the dust, not necessarily the wood itself. Some woods impart a flavor to the tobacco. You may also have difficulty selling pipes made from alternate materials.
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geek33
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Joined: Thu May 25, 2017 6:49 pm

Re: Mesquite

Post by geek33 »

sandahlpipe wrote:It takes as much time or longer to make a pipe from cheap materials as compared with good materials. Many woods are probably safe to use. And for practicing, they'll all do fine. Some wood has safety to consider, especially with exotic woods. You can reference the wood toxicity database (just google the wood species and "toxicity" to find info) Most of the danger lies in the dust, not necessarily the wood itself. Some woods impart a flavor to the tobacco. You may also have difficulty selling pipes made from alternate materials.
Thank you. I do not sell them. I am a hobbies that just enjoys making my own. I know oak and mesquite are not toxic as I cut and cook them often, but was unsure if there was any other reason to watch out for? I.E. too porous and catches fire as you smoke it.

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DocAitch
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Re: Mesquite

Post by DocAitch »

As Premal says, TIAFO (try it and find out). Just don't be wearing your good trousers on the second or third smoke.
DocAitch
"Hettinger, if you stamp 'hand made' on a dog turd, some one will buy it."
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scotties22
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Re: Mesquite

Post by scotties22 »

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-artic ... -toxicity/

I have found this page very informative and useful. Please remember when working with any alternative wood that just because you don't have a problem with it doesn't mean someone else won't. There is good reason that briar, and it's curing process, have been used for making pipes for well over 100 years.
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Chim Chim
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Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2017 1:02 pm

Re: Mesquite

Post by Chim Chim »

I've also wondered this as I too am in Southern Arizona. (this is also my first post!). Have you had any luck since posting this? I may try using mesquite as a practice medium if it doesn't smoke well.
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