PURPLEHEART

Amaranth
Peltogyne spp.

Shown with water-based finish (top), and oil-based finish (bottom)

APPEARANCE

Color: Heartwood is brown when freshly cut, turning deep purple to purplish brown over time.  Sapwood is a lighter cream color.
Grain: Usually straight; medium to fine texture.
Species & Grade Variations: Moderate to high color variation.

PROPERTIES

Hardness (Janka): 1860; 44% harder than Northern Red Oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00212; 43% more stable than Red Oak).
Durability: Very strong and dense.

WORKABILITY

Sawing / Machining: Moderately difficult due to hardness; frequent sharpening of tools required; slow feed rate and carbide tooling recommended.
Sanding: Good holding ability.
Nailing: Sands satisfactorily.
Finishing: Takes finishes well; some have found that water-based finishes hold color better.  Tendency to bleed with some finishes.
Comments: Heartwood is very resistant to dry-wood termites.  Presence of minerals in some boards may cause uneven coloration.

COST

(Relative to plainsawn select Red Oak)
Multiplier: 2.30

AVAILABILITY

Limited.