Replies

1. 
   jimmar | Dec 08, 2007 10:29pm | #1

   I'd suggest dewaxed shellac as primer or base;after that it's your call.The next coat might contain a UV inhibitor. The shellac will seal in the natural oils and allow subsequent coatings to adhere.(Wish I'd known this 13 years ago when I "finished' a set of salad bowls we'd just brought back from Costa Rica!)

1. 
   swing42 | Dec 08, 2007 10:31pm | #2

   Thanks.  Do you have an opinion about leaving the sole of the plane unfinished or finished?

2. 
   Ckenney | Dec 09, 2007 03:40am | #3

   Do not, I repeat, DO NOT! use shellac on purpleheart. Shellac has an interesting side effect when used on purpleheart, it inhibits the color change and you will have a brownish wood that will never develop its purpleness. (I, sadly, know of what I speak.)

   David Marks advises no finish, other than the natural hand oils from use. If you must have a finish, I would suggest using BLO or tung oil. You don't want to alter the plane setup, after all, with any finish build up.

   But, please, if you value the purple goodness of purpleheart, AVOID SHELLAC!

1. 
   swing42 | Dec 09, 2007 06:32am | #4

   This brings up another question..... The board I used to make the planes was 8/4 stock.  It was very purple.  After milling the wood it is more of a purple brown.  I'm confused as to how to get the wood back to the rich purple color.  Any ideas?

   Thanks!

1. 
   Ckenney | Dec 09, 2007 04:53pm | #5

   Exposure will return the purple. One book I have says it is air, however, pieces that I have used an oil/varnish finish on have also purpled up quite nicely.I recently made a purpleheart plane myself with no finish and it is back to full purple.Just no shellac. I don't know if it is the alcahol or the shellac itself that inhibits the color. Also, beware of tack rags, which often use shellac as their tackines.Good luck

3. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 09, 2007 10:03pm | #6

   Finish for a wooden plane.

   Nothing at first. Blood, Sweat, Tears, and Hand Oils will make it look pretty if you use it enough!