[DrLarryAnderson]

Where do you buy your Purpleheart boards?

I have a special project in front of me that involves a Mississippi State University-themed presentation. This will necessitate my buying several boards of Purpleheart (for the maroon-ish color).

Over the past 4-5 years, I have bought some boards from Woodcraft, but when I do the calculations on cost per board foot, they charge nearly $50/board ft. Rockler's prices are similar. Same for what I find on Amazon.

So, I'm just wondering if any of you have a source for Purpleheart boards (in the neighborhood of 3/4 x 4 x 36--or similar) that will keep me from upsetting the global monetary system by paying those big prices.

Thanks a million for any keen advice you have.

--Dr. Larry S. Anderson • Tupelo, MS (birthplace of Elvis!)

 

[CaptainKlutz]

1) Please read this web page about the challenges of keeping Purpleheart purple:

Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods | The Wood Database

www.wood-database.com

IMHO - If you want permanent color, suggest using a dye stain. but YMMV

2) WoodWorker's Source in Phoenix has nice selection of exotics. Not cheap, but they have everything for that special project. The online lumber packs are not for sale to walk in customers, which is dispointing for this local; as the packs are always the best looking lumber in the store.

 

[calabrese55]

possible sources

Exotic Wood, Birdseye Maple, Curly Maple & Tiger Maple | Bell Forest Products

We sell over 100 species of Exotic Wood! Birdseye Maple Lumber, Curly Maple Lumber & Tiger Maple Lumber! Turning Wood, Hobby Wood, & Instrument Wood.

www.bellforestproducts.com

Purpleheart Hardwood - Purpleheart Wood and Thin Boards | Ocooch Hardwoods

ocoochhardwoods.com

Purpleheart – Cook Woods

A brilliantly colored hardwood from South America, Purpleheart is very popular for its deep purple color. Ideal for inlay, marquetry, and other fine articles. Occasionally the trees produce either fiddleback or a ropey mottled curl from interlocked grain. The color is a pale brown when freshly...

www.cookwoods.com

 

[jbmaine]

My nearest hardwood dealer lists purpleheart 4/4 RGH at $ 12.20 a board foot. Still not cheap. Rockler and woodcraft have purpleheart at close to what you mentioned.

 

[GaryCK]

My local sawmill imports many species of wood and usually has purpleheart on hand. Another, larger sawyer about an hour away from me (in Wisconsin) has much more of it on hand. I suggest checking at sawmills and hardwood dealers close to you.

 

[PCDub]

1) Please read this web page about the challenges of keeping Purpleheart purple:

Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods | The Wood Database

www.wood-database.com

IMHO - If you want permanent color, suggest using a dye stain. but YMMV

THIS!

 

[DrLarryAnderson]

1) Please read this web page about the challenges of keeping Purpleheart purple:

Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods | The Wood Database

www.wood-database.com

IMHO - If you want permanent color, suggest using a dye stain. but YMMV

2) WoodWorker's Source in Phoenix has nice selection of exotics. Not cheap, but they have everything for that special project. The online lumber packs are not for sale to walk in customers, which is dispointing for this local; as the packs are always the best looking lumber in the store.

Thanks for this information. So, I bought a hefty bundle of Purple Heart from WoodWorker's Source after I read your message...and their prices were SIGNIFICANTLY less that either Woodcraft or Rockler.

 

[wiser85]

possible sources

Exotic Wood, Birdseye Maple, Curly Maple & Tiger Maple | Bell Forest Products

We sell over 100 species of Exotic Wood! Birdseye Maple Lumber, Curly Maple Lumber & Tiger Maple Lumber! Turning Wood, Hobby Wood, & Instrument Wood.

www.bellforestproducts.com

Purpleheart Hardwood - Purpleheart Wood and Thin Boards | Ocooch Hardwoods

ocoochhardwoods.com

Purpleheart – Cook Woods

A brilliantly colored hardwood from South America, Purpleheart is very popular for its deep purple color. Ideal for inlay, marquetry, and other fine articles. Occasionally the trees produce either fiddleback or a ropey mottled curl from interlocked grain. The color is a pale brown when freshly...

www.cookwoods.com

try groff and groff lumber

 

[mobley45]

Where do you buy your Purpleheart boards?

I have a special project in front of me that involves a Mississippi State University-themed presentation. This will necessitate my buying several boards of Purpleheart (for the maroon-ish color).

Over the past 4-5 years, I have bought some boards from Woodcraft, but when I do the calculations on cost per board foot, they charge nearly $50/board ft. Rockler's prices are similar. Same for what I find on Amazon.

So, I'm just wondering if any of you have a source for Purpleheart boards (in the neighborhood of 3/4 x 4 x 36--or similar) that will keep me from upsetting the global monetary system by paying those big prices.

Thanks a million for any keen advice you have.

--Dr. Larry S. Anderson • Tupelo, MS (birthplace of Elvis!)

Where do you buy your Purpleheart boards?

I have a special project in front of me that involves a Mississippi State University-themed presentation. This will necessitate my buying several boards of Purpleheart (for the maroon-ish color).

Over the past 4-5 years, I have bought some boards from Woodcraft, but when I do the calculations on cost per board foot, they charge nearly $50/board ft. Rockler's prices are similar. Same for what I find on Amazon.

So, I'm just wondering if any of you have a source for Purpleheart boards (in the neighborhood of 3/4 x 4 x 36--or similar) that will keep me from upsetting the global monetary system by paying those big prices.

Thanks a million for any keen advice you have.

--Dr. Larry S. Anderson • Tupelo, MS (birthplace of Elvis!)

For those in Tampa area , INTERCITY LUMBER. auto clear coat , keeps nice purple color, the reason we buy it , if Using auto clear coat as the finish. INTERIOR . I make all my sliding glass door handles with PH, they will turn dark exterior. Pics of barn door wheels are aged about 5 years atleast. No change as shown .
In addition at intercity , PH is one of the best buys ,
And very clear grade. Probably my favorite now that I think about it .

 

[EricFai]

A few mail order places are Cook Woods in Oregon, Bell Forest, Michigan, Johnson's Workbench, Michigan.

A local place to you might be down in Jackson, MS. Pickens Hardwood, I have a DIL located there and when we visit, I'll make a run there and stock up lumber.

 

[DrLarryAnderson]

A few mail order places are Cook Woods in Oregon, Bell Forest, Michigan, Johnson's Workbench, Michigan.

A local place to you might be down in Jackson, MS. Pickens Hardwood, I have a DIL located there and when we visit, I'll make a run there and stock up lumber.

Man!! I don't know how I missed knowing about Pickens Hardwoods. What a GREAT place that WAS! They are now closed.

 

[EricFai]

That stinks, I'll be down that way in a few weeks for a visit. Planned on making a trip there.

 

[halfacre]

Where do you buy your Purpleheart boards?

I have a special project in front of me that involves a Mississippi State University-themed presentation. This will necessitate my buying several boards of Purpleheart (for the maroon-ish color).

Over the past 4-5 years, I have bought some boards from Woodcraft, but when I do the calculations on cost per board foot, they charge nearly $50/board ft. Rockler's prices are similar. Same for what I find on Amazon.

So, I'm just wondering if any of you have a source for Purpleheart boards (in the neighborhood of 3/4 x 4 x 36--or similar) that will keep me from upsetting the global monetary system by paying those big prices.

Thanks a million for any keen advice you have.

--Dr. Larry S. Anderson • Tupelo, MS (birthplace of Elvis!)

I just now checked Woodworkers Source and they got your wood for 11.99 a square foot. But they are in Arizona, Phoenix and Tucson and a few other towns. The owner used to be on another woodworking site for many years and helped lots of folks with his knowledge. I still order from them even though there will be freight added to their price. Theirs has been the best quality of any other place I have ever bought wood from....Check them out. Don't cost anything for looking!
Their clever notes they send out to let you know your order is on the way is very funny, clever and entertaining.

 

[TeleDan]

Another thumbs up for Woodworkers Supply. They have a 20% discount on exotics this month. I've made four orders with them so far this year: 4/4 and 8/4 walnut, 8/4 cherry, and double live-edge cherry. verything I've received has been excellent - better than spec'd. .

 

[CaptainKlutz]

+1 local is usually best and cheapest.
TBH - Woodworkers Source is one of the most expensive wood suppliers in Phoenix. But the quality of lumber (S2S to S3S) is usually worth the price for that special project, especially when you don't want to waste time shopping, nor want to buy 50% extra of rough sawn lumber and sort out what you need.

+1 Automotive 2K urethane clear.
Never attempted to use auto clear coat on exotic wood to maintain color, as I have been around polymer chemistry enough to know it is a losing battle. BUT:
Automotive 2K clear has very high levels of UV blockers. They should be able help keep exotic colors longer than other finishes, WHEN used on interior parts. But place any wood near a window, or in an exterior application; and it still changes color over time. Have used SW/Acme Finish 1 (FC720) and Matrix clear (MS-52) on automotive wood projects with no cracking issue from wood movement, and had minimal color change on a leopard wood truck bed after 10 years?

Note: If you attempt to use automotive urethane clear coat, you must use proper PPE (coveralls, gloves, respirator with googles or full face mask respirator). Automotive urethane are not kind to unprotected human body.

 

[TeleDan]

I love it when I can buy from my local hardwood supplier. However, Colorado is not the place for locally harvested hardwoods so almost everything is shipped in and the local price reflects that. Denver has more competition but I'm not willing to spend most of a day driving there and back to save a few bucks. I buy online when someone has a sale good enough to offset shipping costs.

I just ordered some 8/4 hard maple and 4/4 white oak from Forest2Home for $10/bf w/shipping. That's a win for me. St.Patty's day sale. Forest2Home is another supplier that ships excellent boards.

 

[ehall686]

Where do you buy your Purpleheart boards?

I have a special project in front of me that involves a Mississippi State University-themed presentation. This will necessitate my buying several boards of Purpleheart (for the maroon-ish color).

Over the past 4-5 years, I have bought some boards from Woodcraft, but when I do the calculations on cost per board foot, they charge nearly $50/board ft. Rockler's prices are similar. Same for what I find on Amazon.

So, I'm just wondering if any of you have a source for Purpleheart boards (in the neighborhood of 3/4 x 4 x 36--or similar) that will keep me from upsetting the global monetary system by paying those big prices.

Thanks a million for any keen advice you have.

--Dr. Larry S. Anderson • Tupelo, MS (birthplace of Elvis!)

I guy in Town (Traverse City MI) has a purple heart board for sale....Putple Heart Wood Slab 121"x28"x1.5" I have watching it on marketplace he want 400 for it.