Oak for a Roubo Workbench?

if it’s free, I say go for it! should be good enough material for a workbench top/base

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

What type of oak?

-- "Well, at least we can still use it as firewood... maybe." - Doss

Yeah if it is free, go for it! By the way what do you think about this table?

http://www.benchmarktable.com/v/vspfiles/Benchmark_Pro_Package/#

I believe its white oak.

-- Joe Kwon

Oak will make a great workbench be it red or white oak. Oak is a bit hard to mill if its old and very dry, just take your time and it will make a very heavy and strong workbench. Also wrapping the edges of the bench with a contrasting color of hard wood will make a very hansome bench…

Joe, it should be fine. People make basic workbenches out of pine that work just fine. We have things around here that we call oak though that aren’t very great for a bench (just b/c they are not very fun to dry, flatten, saw, dimension, etc.).

-- "Well, at least we can still use it as firewood... maybe." - Doss

White oak should be good.

-- Bondo Gaposis

Oak should make an outstanding Roubo workbench. If I recall correctly, Andre Roubo’s original bench was made from oak.

-- Scott, North Carolina, www.quartersawnoak.com

Mine is being built in white oak, and I will be adding a contrasting wood for looks.

-- --Rev. Russ in NY-- A posse ad esse

Hi Joe,
I am embarking into the realm of woodworking bench making myself and have 12/4 Red oak for the top and butternut for the base. I don’t foresee any issues using oak, Oak is pretty cheap for me. Let us know how it turns out.

-- The works of evil people are not the problem. It is the "Good" people standing by and watching not speaking up. Dubsaloon