Thread: Where to get Purpleheart Timber?

Maybe shoot Matthews an email - I've never been there but most swear by it - dunno bout best (cheap) though

Trend Timbers always seem to have it at wood shows (I bought some) but they are in Sydney.

Yes, Mathews Timber stocks Purple Heart. https://www.instagram.com/p/BhXy6NDg...imbermelbourne

As far as cheapest

Originally Posted by cava

Hi All,

I am in need of some Purpleheart to be used as edging for a food/drinks tray I am envisioning, as well as other sundry projects.

Probably looking for circa 30mm x 30mm x 1000mm, although bigger cross sectional sizes would not be wasted .

Can I suggest you think seriously about how you will process the stick?

30 x 30 x 1000 IMO doesn't contain much usable timber -- for a tray 500 x 250 you might only get 750 mm of usable edge strip per rip cut.

My suggestion would be to look for a much wider and thinner board say 25 x 100 x 600 or even 19 x 100 x 600.
If the tray sides are 15 mm thick, a 19 x 100 x 600 board might yield enough (nominal) 5 mm thick strips for 4 , 500 x 250 trays

Sage words Ian, and it all depends on what I can get at an appropriate price.

I am thinking, and at this stage it is just a thought, of doing a large round serving tray circa 400-450 diameter with the Purpleheart laminated on to Vic Ash/Silver Wattle (depending on what I can find/have on hand) edging, which is for extra stability and security of things falling off the tray when being moved.

For the base of the tray, I have a 30mm thick piece of Redgum with figure that will be sliced into two (2) and a piece of American White Oak to be embedded between the bookmatched Redgum for contrast. This may not work out, as the Redgum that I have is relatively small and odd shaped with flaws so I need something to increase the size for the greater diameter of the tray.

Overall the thickness will end being circa 10mm, hence the extra support afforded by the edging. Handles will be another issue.

That stated, I am not too sure if introducing the different timbers will make it look too busy - I will reassess this when I get around to the actual project.

In general I find that people on the forums have a fixation with STRENGTH.

Whilst I wouldn't suggest placing a 10mm thick panel between saw horses and standing in it, 5 - 6 mm should be plenty thick enough for the base of a tray.
(the current issue of Fine woodworking has a build a tray project which uses 1/4" wood for the tray's base.
For the round tray you envisage, I suggest that you construct the base using 3mm ply (or MDF) veneered with thin (< 3 mm) sawn Redgum slices.

For the tray rim, I think I'd use either a bent lamination, or more probably a bent strip like those used for shaker round boxes.

Originally Posted by ian

For the round tray you envisage, I suggest that you construct the base using 3mm ply (or MDF) veneered with thin (< 3 mm) sawn Redgum slices.

Where would the fun be in using MDF/Ply?

The purpose of the exercise is to develop and hopefully improve on my mediocre skills.

Originally Posted by cava

Where would the fun be in using MDF/Ply?

The purpose of the exercise is to develop and hopefully improve on my mediocre skills.

Learning to veneer is not a base level skill.

and it allows one to build stuff that is otherwise impossible or impracticable or ruinously expensive.

for example, your 30 mm thick piece of Redgum would be enough for at least 2 and possibly 3 trays if sliced and used as veneer. and you would have the ability to do quite exciting things with the wood available.

e.g.

Point taken. But out of my skill set at the moment Ian.

The attached pic is from the Trend stand at the Sydney wood show a couple of years ago.

I'd suggest you see if you can find rough sawn boards which should be a lot cheaper than the dressed prices in the photo.

It sounds like you plan to cut the timber to different shapes and sizes so the rough sawn board gives you more options. Plus it would be nice to have the extra lying around to dress up future projects.

Ian probably wasn't suggesting you go to the veneering level required for the table in his photo? But using ply and mdf for veneer work certainly has plenty of fun attached.

My challenge would be to slice the redgum down to <3mm. If you can do this step then you have more options for the tray base.

Enjoy your Purpleheart.

Originally Posted by Scally

Ian probably wasn't suggesting you go to the veneering level required for the table in his photo? But using ply and mdf for veneer work certainly has plenty of fun attached.

My challenge would be to slice the redgum down to <3mm. If you can do this step then you have more options for the tray base.

yeah, you got it.

That table top with its marquetry is well beyond my skill level, but the idea I wanted to convey was how the maker combined a relatively bland timber (I'm guessing it's European walnut) with banding and the "look at me" panel in the centre.
In Cava's case the centre "look at me" could be his figured Redgum with a surround of Silver Wattle or Vic Ash.

Originally Posted by cava

Hi All,

I am in need of some Purpleheart to be used as edging for a food/drinks tray I am envisioning, as well as other sundry projects.

Probably looking for circa 30mm x 30mm x 1000mm, although bigger cross sectional sizes would not be wasted .

Where is the best place to get some from (read cheapest). Prefer a Victorian location if possible, but would look further afield if necessary.

TIA

Hi CAVA,

I have just seen your request and come up from workshop. I found 3 small pieces of purple heart (Sth Aerican) that I was once planning to make a xylophone from. Probably too small and too late. they are planed and true, 30 x 23 x 360 mm (2 off). Let me know if they are of any use to you. I may have more lying about if I was to look out for it. Can post a pic (I think) if you wish

regards, Euge

Thanks for the offer Euge, it is appreciated.

However, I think that when I get back to Melbourne (I am currently interstate at the moment) I will contact Matthews and see what sizes they have. If there are any issues, I will get in touch.

George

Well, I bit the bullet and went to Matthews today.
The upshot is, that I have just purchased the most expensive single piece of wood I have ever bought.

I could not believe it, but on the brighter side, I now will have reserves for many years to come.

Thanks all.