Purple heart

[firefighter]

New to turning Purple Heart. I cut some pen planks at 45* for grain pattern. Results are awesome but it's like turning a rock. 
 I have read about heating it to restore the color but never tried it. When heated will it cover the grain pattern? My supply is limited so I can't test it. Any input will be appreciated.

[Bucko]

Roger , maybe not any input of help to you but about 7 years ago I quit making Deer Calls for Hunters as EBay flooded the market. One I made from Purple Heart and couldn’t get any bites on an interested buyer .
Never was quite fond of the looks and I either still have it tucked away or was one I gave out for young folks to use .
Overall I’m saying I wasn’t impressed at the least with Purple Heart but like my 90 year old Dad says “ to each their own “ . Enjoy your turning

[firefighter]

That's kind of why i was asking. Not at all impressed with the look.Only have the one piece to work with. Using it to decode if i want to pick up more. So far not looking good.

[Arlin Eastman]

That's kind of why i was asking. Not at all impressed with the look. Only have the one piece to work with. Using it to decode if i want to pick up more.  So far not looking good.

I like mixing it with other woods and yes if it is heated the purple will come out more.  To keep any of the color woods from turning brown I add a spf of 75 or more to block the uv rays and it works pretty well.

[EightFingers]

It’s also rather splintery and chippy.

[AHill]

You could just expose it to sunlight or florescent light for a couple days to restore the purple color.

[firefighter]

If anyone is interested heat does bring the color back. That being said, I'm still not impressed. Looks ok on a cutting board but not on a pen turning. I finished it to the standard 7 coats of CA and polished that i usually finish with just to be fair.

[arthropod98]

If anyone is interested heat does bring the color back. That being said, I'm still not impressed. Looks ok on a cutting board but not on a pen turning. I finished it to the standard 7 coats of CA and polished that i usually finish with just to be fair.

that's pretty wild and something i hadn't heard of before.  i think anytime i've used purpleheart, it was always with something else.  but, on it's own, i kinda agree i'm not a massive fan.  although, the endgrain can look kinda cool.  made a pipe with mostly purpleheart, but some holly accents  --  pretty happy with how that turned out.

[hcbph]

I just turned some purple heart this last week for a candle base.  I found that when turning endgrain there's a definite difference between using HSS tools and carbide.  The HSS were very sharp but the carbide did much better cutting endgrain than the HSS ones did.  Just an opinion.

[iclark]

I just turned some purple heart this last week for a candle base.  I found that when turning endgrain there's a definite difference between using HSS tools and carbide.  The HSS were very sharp but the carbide did much better cutting endgrain than the HSS ones did.  Just an opinion.

If you get a chance to try it/them, you might be even happier with the negative-rake carbide that is starting to be available.

With some woods, you do need to take very light slicing cuts when working end grain with gouges - not quite so much so with skews (but a light touch for finishing cuts still recommended).