Wood Turning

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?

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

wood turning a spintop by Philippe

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