Comments

1. 
   TMitchell | May 21, 2009 08:36pm | #1

   I've struggled to get a finish on Purpleheart that preserves the intense color it has bare. What did you use?

2. 
   woodker | May 22, 2009 04:43am | #2

   For the bench, just boiled linseed oil (a lot), and wax. The turned mallet and bow saw have just a little butcher block oil (clear, to not add the usual amber tone), and wax. Some of the purpleheart boards started purple, and stayed purple. Some of them turned brown (like jatoba) as soon as they were cut (planed, machined, or sanded), but they would return to purple within a couple of weeks.

3. 
   TMitchell | May 22, 2009 01:15pm | #3

   Thanks, I'll try some differnt butcher block oils to see how that does. I'm familiar with the color-changing behavior of purpleheart as I've used it many times. Most recently on an under-water spear gun with Wenge accents. It was stunning until I put the clear-coat epoxy on it... Still looks nice, but it's a shame it didn't stay as bright as it was after the oxidation set in.

   In any case, it's a great bench that you should be proud of... even if you can't bring yourself to use it.

   Thx.

4. 
   woodker | May 22, 2009 03:08pm | #4

   Had another thought - the bow saw and turned mallet are also finished pretty finely (to 320 grit), and they have retained the most vibrant purple. Don't know if that is connected.

   This bench stays at the school, and will be used by 100's of woodworkers. Has been in service for a couple months now, and it is hard to watch the scars accumulate, but they are generally treated pretty well. Thanks for your kind comments.

5. 
   woodknots | May 26, 2009 12:47am | #5

   Awesome job. One of the prettiest benches I've ever seen

6. 
   ahilson | Aug 04, 2009 04:00am | #6

   This bench looks amazing!

   I was wondering if you had plans available for it?

   I'd like to replicate something similar at home.

   Cheers,
   Andrew

7. 
   vpa | Aug 04, 2009 08:37pm | #7

   are there plans to make the ace of purpleheart workbench?

8. 
   kenrup | Nov 13, 2009 08:00pm | #8

   Wow! I would be afraid to use this bench. It looks to beautiful to scare or scratch. I think the joinery is outstanding.

9. 
   Streamline | Dec 14, 2009 04:04am | #9

   Woodker, this workbench belongs in the living room, not the shop. Amazing that you can take such a mundane bench and turn it into a work of art. Please clarify - when you say linseed oil and wax, did you mean apply the boiled linseed oil, then when it dries, you wax it (like Johnson paste wax)?

10. 
    blueberry1 | Aug 03, 2010 03:34pm | #10

    Having seen this bench in person, it is even more impressive than the photos show. Absolutely stunning.