I'm working on a mothers day present using a piece of mesquite I cut from my parents ranch. For those of you remembering my previous bad experience with a mesquite sensitvity, I think I've got it beat. I turned the last 2 nights with a long sleeve shirt and gloves and I didn't have any problems other than getting hot. A trend airshield is on the future list.
I've got two questions about mesquite in particular.
#1 What do you do with wet mesquite? Do you rough turn it, DNA then finish it like any other wood? Do you finish turn it right away and then let it slowly dry in newspapers?
#2 Is there a favorite finish for mesquite? A search on this forum returns some lacquer, which looks fine but Mom likes a more natural oil looking finish. Several search returns had some form of oil. I need a finish that will look very natural and be absolutely maintenance free for many years.