Why use hemlock

If it has it there will be a huge seperation on the butt at a certain growth ring. As said cut fire wood pieces till it is gone. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. I've used some for timber framing. If it isn't too knotty, it works very nicely, green. It is very splintery, as was mentioned. I sawed out about 4mbf of full dimension framing lumber last summer.

We've been using it for various projects around work, as well as in the renovation of an timber framed house. We are also looking into using it in a new construction project. I would never have guessed that cedar is compared to for hemlock. My opinion of cedar being soft is apparently wrong. Is cedar 'well behaved' when drying, i. I love to use hemlock studs. Light and usually pretty straight. It's all unleaded. Just say 'regular gas'. It's not the 70s anymore. At least that's what my wife tells me.

I would and do use hemlock for everything that I build with. I would rather use hemlock than anything else I have. Hemlock is good for outside use,but not as good as cedar. Hemlock is an old timer wood. Most people don't like to work with it. I have used it green and have some that has been kicking around for years and have no problems with it.

Don't be afraid of the shake scare,I have cut quite a bit of hemlock,to sell for logs,and a little for my own use. I have found very little shake in it,compared to the trees I have cut. I have only found it on the butts. Where it grows. Identifiable characteristics. Common uses and applications. Commercial properties. Commercial availability. Standard 0. Sapwood Nearly white to pale brown. The darker-coloured latewood bands have a reddish or purple cast and are distinct from the earlywood.

Grain Wood is straight-grained, fairly even in texture, and somewhat lustrous. Figure Plainsawn lumber or rotary-cut veneer: distinct, inconspicuous growth ring. Quartersawn lumber or quarter-sliced veneer: faint growth ring stripe. Knots Contains small, sound black knots that are usually tight and dimensionally stable. Other Wood is non-resinous. May contain ring shake. Western hemlock — working properties Process Performance Comments Machining Planing Fair to good results Typical defects: fuzzy grain, raised grain, and chip marks.

Turning Good surface quality Easy. Good results. Sawing Easy to difficult Varies from difficult to easy. Slight to moderate blunting effect. Boring Good Responds well to boring operations.

Mortising Good Easy. Finishes well. Shaping Moderate shaping quality Easy, with moderate surface quality. Veneering Good Sanding Good Good sanding finish. Fastening Screwing Moderate Intermediate holding. Tendency to split. Eastern Hemlock is abundant in Eastern North America. It is very useful in the construction of boxes, crates, plywood, and others.

Mountain Hemlocks are grown in the Northwest coast of North America and are also used for the above purposes. Western Hemlocks are reddish brown in color and are the largest source of Hemlocks, which are usually exported from Canada. The common hemlock lumber dimensions are as follows:. There are eight to ten species of Hemlock Lumber. So, you can expect more variety of sizes than above.

Popular Posts. Recent Posts. News Benefits of Pre-finished Trim. News Stone Veneer vs Brick Siding. It is widely used for framings and sub-floors, as well as for roofing and sheathing.

It can also be used for indoor features like shutters, banisters, and stairs. Hemlock is a softwood common in North America. It was used primarily for its bark, which was extracted for tannin, but these days its use in construction is becoming more and more widespread.

The rest of this article will look at the pros and cons of choosing to build with hemlock and what kind of projects it is best suited for. There are many reasons why hemlock could be the right option for you to use in your building project. Here are a few:. The strength of hemlock wood varies greatly depending on the quality of the grain.

If it has knots in it, it will splinter and split when it is being machined and may not be the most durable option even after it has been milled. However, hemlock lumber with the smooth grain is actually quite strong. This strength makes it fairly resistant to wear and tear, and consequently, it is a good option for high-traffic parts of a house or building, where it will hold up to frequent use.

It is an excellent material for building projects, particularly for framing. Hemlock is more resistant to warping or twisting due to weather than pine, so it is a popular choice for trims and moldings. Pine is known as a weak wood, though it has its place. However, hemlock is far superior when it comes to warping and discoloration from temperature fluctuations.

Hemlock is a popular choice as an alternative for more expensive hardwood features, especially within the home.