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Purpleheart for large furniture

2K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  Ghidrah 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am planing on building a modern grandfather clock for my house. I was inspired by this design , and am replicating it. My current design is shown here: http://engineeredmusings.com/grandfather-clock-case-design/

I was planning on using walnut. However, I was at the local hardwood store, and both purpleheart and walnut were ~$8/BF. My wife loves purpleheart (it is in cutting board), and thinks it would be great for the whole clock. However, I have some concerns over finishing.

1. How will it age? I have read everything from UV light turns it purple, to UV light turns it brown. It will be near large windows.

2. Is the "aged" material attractive? Obviously I am debating between Walnut and Purpleheart, so brown isn't necessarily bad.

3. How should it be finished?

Just looking for your two cents.

Dan
 
#2 ·
Purpleheart initially gets very vibrant from UV rays, however it will definitely fade to brown. You can slow this using a finish that blocks the UV light, but it will eventually turn brown. Just a matter of how long it takes.
 
#6 ·
I am not entirely sure what kind of walnut I am looking at. At the local hardware store it is simply labeled "walnut" ($8.50/BF).

To contrast to another local store, which as Oregon Walnut, Far East Walnut, and Peruvian Walnut. However, only the Peruvian Walnut is the correct "shape".
 
#7 ·
I was in the exact same position about 6 months ago. I was making my wife a jewelry box and found that walnut was the same price as purpleheart. So, just like you I thought to myself "Why not use it if it's the same price?"

Big ^$*^@ing mistake

It is really hard, prone to tearout, murders tools, smells horrible, the list goes on. It is a nightmare to work with. I promised myself to never use it for anything even remotely large again. Maybe a handle here or there, but that's it. I beseech you to use something else. Large projects and purpleheart DO NOT MIX.

If you decide to ignore my advice and use it anyway, go for clear lacquer as a finish. It apparently keeps the purple color for the longest. Mine is only 6 months old, so I don't have any long term data.

Trust me. Don't use the purpleheart.

P.S. Don't use the purpleheart.

Surgeons General Warning: Purpleheart Sucks
 
#8 ·
Alright, I think Walnut is the way to go. I am heading to look at a stash someone has for sale tomorrow. Not sure what kind or condition it is in. However, it sounds like can mill it from logs as well.

It is tough to decide between "rough" Walnut, and cleaned up stuff.

TheWoodenOyster: Unless you think I should use purpleheart.

Dan
 
#11 ·
Some thoughts about Purpleheart. It is very hard to work and splitters easily. Very difficult to plane as it has crisscrossing grain patterns. It is also very oily and will. It take an oil finish without botching.
Besides that it has a tacky look in my opinion, not a classic look like Maple or Cherry or Walnut.

It should be used sparingly as a small decorative detail wood if at all. IMHO.
 
#12 ·
I admit the purple heart does darken as it ages, I have numerous projects with PH used more as embellishment than main species a couple going on 6 + yrs and the color is darker but in no way is it leaning toward brown.
I primarily use Tung oil for finish which darkens the PH considerably, again it just deeper purple.

I'd suggest a traditional route using Oak and or Mahogany for the body with Maple, PH and other exotics as embellishments
 
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