| Project by Freddo | posted 89 days ago | 326 views | 1 time favorited | 14 comments |  |
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Last fall my six year old and I went to Woodcraft in PA and while I was there I purchased a piece of purpleheart lumber. Eric wanted a jewelry box so I got around to building it for him Labor Day weekend. There’s one boo-boo but I didn’t mention it to him (he’s now seven but may find it himself – no big deal; the hinge mortises on the box itself are too wide – oops). This was the first “fine” box I built and I found it pays to read a lot, watch podcasts, buy Doug Stowe’s books and DVD, be a member of LJ’s and PRACTICE. The finish is Danish oil (two coats).
NOTE TO NEW PURPLEHEART USERS:
After planing the wood it wasn’t so purple anymore (it was brownish-purple). I didn’t know that would happen!!! After much surfing the Internet Sunday night for guidance, it seemed that the box needed some sunlight. The box and lid spent the day in the sun on Monday and sure enough, the purple returned. Yeah! If you think the wood will be in the sun after you finish it, consider a UV sealer. From what I’ve read, the UV’s will darken the wood over time.
Enjoy!
-- God bless! Freddo (Northern - NJ) Our Creator designed us to create - so use WOOD!
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14 comments so far
corey cyr
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42 posts in 202 days
posted 89 days ago
nice box, what was your choice of wood for the bottom?
SteveKorz
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1419 posts in 251 days
posted 89 days ago
Nicely done!
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
Freddo
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57 posts in 234 days
posted 89 days ago
Hi Corey,
The bottom is a made from some luan ply or birch ply I had laying around. I liked the grain pattern and included it even though it’ll rarely be seen…
-- God bless! Freddo (Northern - NJ) Our Creator designed us to create - so use WOOD!
Dusty56
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1401 posts in 225 days
posted 89 days ago
Very nice ! I haven’t had much luck getting the purple to come back for me yet on my project wood after milling it . Yours turned out great though : )
-- Dusty56@comcast.net
Bigbuck
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1050 posts in 201 days
posted 89 days ago
Nice box. I really like purple heart except for all the splinters it like to give me. Nice job
-- Glenn, New Mexico
TedM
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1411 posts in 270 days
posted 89 days ago
Very nice box! Thanks for sharing.
-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com
rikkor
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8574 posts in 412 days
posted 89 days ago
Nice! I see a project coming on…, my wife’s favorite color is purple.
-- Maplewood, MN
woodyone
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223 posts in 129 days
posted 89 days ago
Very neat, Well done.
Woody.
-- Woody, UK
pokieone
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54 posts in 156 days
posted 89 days ago
Beautiful build! I made a jewellery box with purpleheart and found it to be a troublesome wood to work with. Just curious, what was your experience working with purpleheart?
Mike
-- I will not preach, nor will I be silent.
Freddo
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57 posts in 234 days
posted 89 days ago
Hi Mike,
Actually this was my very first experience with an exotic wood other than mahogany. I made the cuts slowly (both the table saw and router slots). I resawed the stock 3/4” lumber to just under 1/2” using a Freud thin kerf rip blade and then planed the parts to 3/8” (sides) and 1/8” for the dividers on my DeWalt planner. The original stock was 3/4” x 4” x 36” long. I did find the purpleheart brittle but I worked slow and meticulously (no extra stock laying around in case of a mistake). I suppose the extra sharp bits and blades make a big difference. I used an 1/8” diameter down spiral bit for the divider slots and the hinge mortises to avoid tearout. I’d be happy to answer any other questions!
-- God bless! Freddo (Northern - NJ) Our Creator designed us to create - so use WOOD!
oldskoolmodder
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301 posts in 217 days
posted 88 days ago
Nice box & great tip for purple heart users. It’s one of my favorite woods and have found myself getting frustrated at time with the purple looking darker after working with it.
-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric
sharad
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382 posts in 342 days
posted 87 days ago
Enviable jewelry box with attractive colour because of the choice of wood.
Sharad
-- patanjali
Blake
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2243 posts in 412 days
posted 86 days ago
This is a nice box. I like how you kept the design clean and simple. That purple heart will become a nice deep, rich purple over time as it ages.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com
throttle
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9 posts in 125 days
posted 40 days ago
Just wanted to return some of the “props”, Great Job! I am definately still learning patience with tedious small projects. There is no where to hide your mistakes.
Share your hobby with as many people possible….......
Throttle
-- "Throttle"