I'm curious about the various uses for oak wood. Is it a good option for making furniture, cutting boards, chests, wall clocks, or decorations? I'm a bit worried about potential cupping or twisting, but I've noticed that oak is one of the more affordable woods in my area and has a nice density for its price. What do you all think?
3 Answers
I've had great experiences using oak! It's super durable and affordable, which is why I recently opted for oak instead of pine to build a plane till for my hand tools. I also replaced an IKEA particle board desk with a solid oak top. It's a versatile wood and works well for cabinets too—like I’m doing by converting my pantry to include rollout oak shelves!
While I love solid oak, I often use oak plywood for bigger projects since it's reliable and less prone to warping. I even have $2000 worth of solid oak in my bedroom, but for cabinets, I prefer the plywood for flexibility. So, it really depends on your project needs, but oak is a great starting point!
You can pretty much use oak for just about anything! While it might not be the best choice for cutting boards without proper sealing, it's definitely a solid option for furniture, chests, and wall clocks. Just remember to ensure it's well dried and sealed on all sides to help prevent cupping or twisting.