Facing Lathe

Is Hemlock a good wood for ornamental wood turning?

Its possible to by blocks of hemlock cheaply from my local DIY superstore (they are advertised as stair Balusters). I was wondering how this wood performed when turned or carved? Is there any connection between this wood and the poisonous plant? Its possible to buy blocks of hemlock cheaply from my local DIY superstore (they are advertised as stair Balusters). I was wondering how this wood performed when turned or carved? Is there any connection between this wood and the poisonous plant? Not sure if this is Eastern or Western Hemlock but the shop is in the UK

Public Comments

1. I have listed below the properties of Hemockk and the use scale. The tree has no connection to the poisionous plant to my knowledge. Wood Properties of Eastern Hemlock Eastern Hemlock Alternative Name 1 Canadian Hemlock Eastern Hemlock Amount of Figure Intermediate Eastern Hemlock Amount of Natural Luster Medium Eastern Hemlock Availability of Wood Plentiful Eastern Hemlock Available As Lumber Yes Eastern Hemlock Available as Veneer No Eastern Hemlock Available only in small sizes No Eastern Hemlock Bending Strength Moderate Eastern Hemlock Blunting of Tool Blades Low Eastern Hemlock Botanical Name Tsuga canadensis Eastern Hemlock Carving Average to somewhat difficult to carve Eastern Hemlock Clear Finish or Varnish Good Eastern Hemlock Color of Wood Red Brown Eastern Hemlock Contrast between growth rings Uneven Eastern Hemlock Crushing Strength Moderate Eastern Hemlock Decorative Figure No Eastern Hemlock Density Low Eastern Hemlock Drilling Fair or Satisfactory Eastern Hemlock Fill before Finishing Insufficient Data Available Eastern Hemlock Gluing Average - Requires control Eastern Hemlock Grain Mostly Straight Eastern Hemlock Growth Ring Pattern Plainsawn Noticeable or Distinct growth ring Eastern Hemlock Growth Ring Pattern Quartersawn Faint growth ring stripe Eastern Hemlock Hand Tooling Average Eastern Hemlock Hardness Average Eastern Hemlock Hardwood or Softwood Softwood Eastern Hemlock Harmful Properties Non Toxic Eastern Hemlock Interlocked Grain No Eastern Hemlock Kiln-dried Shrinkage Moderate Eastern Hemlock Machine Tools Average Eastern Hemlock Mortising Fair or satisfactory Eastern Hemlock Movement after drying Low Eastern Hemlock Nail Holding Fair - Nails hold or are fairly easily pulled out Eastern Hemlock Nailing Fair - may require pre-drilled pilot hole especially near ends Eastern Hemlock Natural Durability Non-durable Eastern Hemlock Number of Knots Low Eastern Hemlock Painting Fair Eastern Hemlock Planing Average Eastern Hemlock Polishing Good Eastern Hemlock Pounds per cubic foot maximum 29 Eastern Hemlock Pounds per cubic foot minimum 29 Eastern Hemlock Reacts with Iron Fasteners or Hardware No Eastern Hemlock Sanding Fair or satisfactory Eastern Hemlock Sawing Moderate cutting resistance Eastern Hemlock Screw Holding Fair - Screws are fairly easy to pull out Eastern Hemlock Screwing Fair - May require pre-drilled pilot holes especially near ends Eastern Hemlock Shaping Fair or satisfactory Eastern Hemlock Size of Knots Intermediate Eastern Hemlock Size of Pores Insufficient Data Available Eastern Hemlock Specific Gravity Low Eastern Hemlock Specific Gravity maximum .4 Eastern Hemlock Specific Gravity minimum .4 Eastern Hemlock Staining Good Eastern Hemlock Steam Bending Poor Eastern Hemlock Stiffness Low Eastern Hemlock Surface Preparation for Finishing No Eastern Hemlock Texture of the Wood Coarse Eastern Hemlock Toughness Moderate Eastern Hemlock Turning Fair to Average Eastern Hemlock Weight Light Eastern Hemlock Wood Defects Few drying defects Eastern Hemlock Work Notes Requires sharp tools Eastern Hemlock Use for Boxes, Crates or Pallets YES Eastern Hemlock Use for Carving no Eastern Hemlock Use for Cooperage no Eastern Hemlock Use for Decorative Veneer no Eastern Hemlock Use for Flooring no Eastern Hemlock Use for Furniture no Eastern Hemlock Use for Handles no Eastern Hemlock Use for Heavy Construction YES Eastern Hemlock Use for Inlay no Eastern Hemlock Use for Interior Finish no Eastern Hemlock Use for Light Construction YES Eastern Hemlock Use for Marine Applications no Eastern Hemlock Use for Marquetry no Eastern Hemlock Use for Millwork no Eastern Hemlock Use for Models and Patterns no Eastern Hemlock Use for Musical Instruments no Eastern Hemlock Use for Novelties no Eastern Hemlock Use for Secondary Furniture Components no Eastern Hemlock Use for Shingles no Eastern Hemlock Use for Sports Equipment no Eastern Hemlock Use for Turnery no Eastern Hemlock Use for Woodenware no