Using Purple Heart Plank for Custom Gunstock??

[The Kurgan]

Thinking of using a well aged (antique) 57 inch plank (1-1/4 inches deep) as a custom Gunstock blank. It will need to be planed and doubled-up (laminated) for the appropriate thickness. It appears to be a stunningly beautiful and VERY hard piece of wood. Thoughts? Is it workable wood? I also need to find someone willing to make it work. Photos don't do it justice, especially the live edge complete with wormholes (fillable with black resin).

 

[.22LRGUY]

The stuff I've used was dense, even-grained and hard of course. Dust felt a little peppery to the nostrils (even wearing a dust mask) so like all foreign/tropical hardwoods, make sure you read up on the pros/cons, risks if there are any.

If you can work with maple/oak you can work with purple heart. I stopped using it because UV fades that nice purple color. Fades to a dark purple that can only really be seen AS purple in good light. I was exploring what wood finishes best block UV when I eventually moved away from it altogether. Did a couple of projects with it.

Hardness-wise, I don't see why it wouldn't work. I didn't do any intricate work or CNC machining. Only table saw, jointer, plainer.....router for small radiuses.

 

[The Kurgan]

This plank is resin sealed and very purple. I think it would simply need to be finished in a good sprayed on polyurethane finish, flat/dull of course. I hope to find a pro that can do the work (in Winnipeg or nearby). I will be using an FN Mauser 98 commercial action and a custom 7x57 barrel (not sure if I go the ugly stainless route and have it Gunkoted, or go the traditional route and have the whole thing rust blued). Or, I may use a Brno 602 barrelled-action in a comparable Euro chambering, if I can find one.

I also want to find a way to incorporate the multi-coloured "live edge" into the laminated blank.

 

[antiqueguy]

I would definitely glass bed it and have a crossbar for the recoil lug embedded. Something tells me it’s a little on the fragile side kinda like oak.

 

[scotteboy]

Two things I'm wondering about.
If it's a hunting rifle, it's gonna be very heavy.
I have never worked with purple heart, but it may be a b itch to work with.

 

[old303]

I've got some faded purpleheart pieces too. Definitely a wood to enjoy while it's still bright, and to keep out of sunlight to prolong the inevitable as long as possible.

 

[m1008]

I've got some faded purpleheart pieces too. Definitely a wood to enjoy while it's still bright, and to keep out of sunlight to prolong the inevitable as long as possible.

This

 

[BlackRam]

The wood is extremely hard and heavy...and requires carbide teeth to cut. Inletting could be a challenge.
I would think that unless used on a DG rifle, that it would be heavier than wanted for regular spot and stalk hunting. If hunting from a blind or a stand where it isn't carried much, might be OK.
Only you can decide.

 

[Cteve]

yeah, super hard to work with. I have used it on a few projects and as mentioned above its purple color does turn more brown over time. I try not to use it as it is crazy tough and tends to burn or char with common tools, carbide tooling is definitely needed.

 

[blazinbilly]

Was used on keels of old wooden boats because of it's hardness.

 

[burnsy56]

Very hard and a bear to mill. Janka Hardness scale rank is 2520 For comparison maple is 1450, oak is 1335 and walnut is 1110.
Needs a UV protectant when finished.