- Overview
- More Info
- Reviews
True to its name, purpleheart boasts vibrant purple heartwood, and a fine, satiny texture. Initially a dull brown, it takes on its brilliant tone shortly after the wood is cut. The sapwood is creamy, pinkish cinnamon. It has exceptionally high bending and crushing strength, is dimensionally stable, and is extremely resistant to decay. All boards are machined S4S to 1/8", 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" thicknesses. Thin boards are well-suited for edging, veneering, marquetry, sides for decorative boxes, bending stock and bent laminations, while the thicker boards are ideal for furniture, paneling, cabinet doors, moldings, drawer sides, fine jewelry boxes and whatever else your imagination can dream up!
- Alternate name: Peltogyne.
- Tree: Usually tall, with a height of about 100 to 150 feet and a diameter of up to 48 inches, usually between 18 and 36 inches.
- Heartwood: Initially dull brown, rapidly changing to a bright, vibrant purple. Prolonged exposure darkens wood to a dark-purplish brown or dark brown, but the original color can be preserved with a UV inhibitor. Color variation among boards is reported to be moderate to high. Presence of minerals in some boards may cause uneven coloration and steaming is reported to affect the color.
- Light & Air-Induced Changes: Treatment against the effects of ultra-violet rays maintainss the original color of the wood. Treatment with Armorall, the car finish product, under lacquer is reported to hold the color well.
- Grain: Typically straight, occasionally wavy or irregular.
- Texture: Medium to fine.
- Luster: Medium to high.
- Movement: Very dimensionally stable.
- Natural Durability: Highly resistant to attack by decay fungi, very resistant to dry-wood termites, and somewhat resistant to attack by marine borers. Also reported to be resistant to chemicals such as acids.
- Cutting Resistance: Purpleheart is moderately difficult to saw. Tools usually require frequent sharpening. A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended, especially when planing and moulding material with interlocked or wavy grain.
- Nailing: The wood requires to be pre-bored, but nail-holding capabilities are reported to be good.
- Steam Bending: The wood steam bends fairly well.
- Strength Properties: Bending strength in the air-dry condition is very high, and crushing strength is exceptionally high. It does not mar or dent easily, and is very heavy and dense.
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Customer Reviews and Photos for:
Purpleheart by the Piece
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Average Rating:
4.3
(16 customer reviews)
Add your review...
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1) Submitted by
R Johnson, from Lake Geneva, WI
on 12/27/2012
Customer Rating: 
I purchased 1/8 x 5 x 24 Purple Heart for a table top inlay project. Color is very nice and quality of the wood is excellent.
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2) Submitted by
T M Moore, from South Hill, VA
on 8/15/2012
Customer Rating:
I use the 3/4 wide for projects such as displays, small wall clocks,etc. Since the wood is very hard, it tends to crack if not predrilled, not a bad thing, just be aware. I love how it takes poly so well also.
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3) Submitted by
Rodneyk, from Woodinville, WA
on 6/30/2012
Customer Rating:
Anyone not familiar with Purpleheart should be made aware that when it is cut or sanded the inner wood will be greyish at first or lighter than the oxidized wood. THIS IS NORMAL and the deep purple color will return as the wood oxidizes. I saw a previous review that the customer thought the wood was left in sunlight, my guess is that is was newly cut wood that did not have time to oxidize. This wood is HARD, strong but can be brittle, so when cutting it you need to keep your tools SHARP. If you take your time this is a very rewarding wood to have in your projects, not definitely not an easy wood to use for beginners.
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4) Submitted by
Len A Greenawalt, from Templeton, PA
on 2/15/2012
Customer Rating:
My friend that I work with told me of Purpleheart. He said his dad use to get it all the time when he was little. I did a search and found Rockler. Rockler is my new best friend and my friend is very happy with his chess board.
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5) Submitted by
Eric Paulsen, from Ferndale, WASHINGTON
on 8/7/2011
Customer Rating:
I used this beautiful wood to build hands for a wooden gear clock. I used the suggested method to finish the wood and it worked like a charm. Everyone who sees the clock wonders what the hands are made from.
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6) Submitted by
Michael Ernest, from Catonsville, MD
on 12/30/2008
Customer Rating: 
Purchased 1/4" x 5" x 48" lengths to cut into squares to inlay as tile into 2 tops followed by homemade grout mix. Once opening is fixed, size of squares is determined using mathematical minimization equation with certain parameters such as grout width and matrix to estimate best fit of whole squares. Very satisfied, although I did have about 1" wide lengths left after ripping and cutting the squares. Glues well. Finishes well.
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7) Submitted by
Clarence Binette, from Bradley, ME
on 12/13/2008
Customer Rating:
Rockler rocks. Sometimes I drive to Portland, ME from Bradley, ME, 2 and a half hour drive, just to visit the store. I am very satisfied with their on line ordering. My product arrived promptly and in perfect condition. They also provide wonderful customer service and their sales staff are very knowledgable.
Shadow box with purple heart inlaid
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8) Submitted by
Bob Shultz, from Los Gatos, CA
on 6/4/2008
I used 1/8" African Padauk and Purple Heart for a table top inlay project and am very pleased with the color and quality of the wood.
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9) Submitted by
Mark E, from Mashpee, MA
on 7/13/2008
Customer Rating:
I bought the Purpleheart wood to use for a inlay in the top of a new workbench I'm building. The top layer of the bench surface is 1/2" thick with two 3/4" layers of MDF and a bottom layer of 1/4" Masonite. I recovered some bamboo flooring that a friend had taken out of his house, I planed it down to 1/2" this will be used on the top of the bench. I think the contrast of the bamboo and purpleheart will look great. I haven't decided what the inlay design will be yet but the purble heart board I purchased was perfect. There is a 1/4" tight knot about an inch from the end of the board which adds to the beauty of the wood. I will definitely will integrate the knot into the inlay. The price is good and the ease of purchasing from Rockler makes this a great acquisition.
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10) Submitted by
Jeff Robinson, from Panama City, FL
on 7/7/2008
Customer Rating: 
Mine was not packaged well on the bottom of box with can of salad bowl finish on top. and was not flat,straight,or free of blemishes. Won't recommend to anyone.
Editor's note: We apologize for the poor packing Jeff. Our customer service at 800-279-4441 will be able to assist you with a replacement.
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11) Submitted by
Christian McKinzie, from Ashland, MO
on 4/10/2008
Customer Rating:
I loved how quickly everything came. I was like a child waiting for his Christmas presents. And you didn't dissappoint either. The wood is beautiful. I was especially please that there were no blemishes, all beautiful wood.
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12) Submitted by
Carl Johnson, from Sturgeon Lake, MN
on 3/2/2008
Customer Rating:
Very nice piece, straight clear and flat, shipped hastily and packaged well with a piece of scrap pine to keep it from breaking during shipping. Will be buying again.
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13) Submitted by
Steve Grendzinski, from Pittsburgh, PA
on 10/1/2008
Customer Rating: 
Using the purpleheart to make glass doors and trim for some barrister bookcases.
The 3 pieces of wood were fairly loose in the box, with some other items on top. No damage from shipping, and straight pieces, but the pieces selected had obviously been in sunlight, or very bright light for an extended period of time. One is mostly faded on one side, and one has a band faded across it. Will find out if the brighter color can be recovered with a run through the planer or with a sander.
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14) Submitted by
Edward, from Pleasant Hill, CA
on 12/4/2008
Customer Rating:
Selected this from the rack at my local Rockler. Beautiful color. However the thin stock that I selected (1/4 x 5 x 24) had a split in the center that I did not notice when I bought it and returned home. Figuring that the store would not take it back, I ended up using it for another project. I then found that this wood does not dry favorably. And despite the heavy splintering of this wood, it still is quite nice. Anyhow, this was a reminder to look over your product before you buy it, even from the store.
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15) Submitted by
Phillip Dunk, from Wright City, MO
on 5/25/2010
Customer Rating:
I've purchased a wide variety of thin (1/8" & 1/4")and 3/4" thicker domestic & exotic woods for building custom turkey calls. Delivery's prompt and all my pieces look nice (good color/grain, dimensionally accurate...). Will buy again.
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16) Submitted by
Kevin Neal, from Altooona, PA
on 12/2/2007
Customer Rating:
I bought the 1/2 by 3 3/4 by 36 inch piece of purpleheart. Top quality. Clear as a bell.
Sale price makes it a great value.
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