Want to build with oak? Here are the benefits, some things to keep in mind and some fantastic oak woodworking project ideas and tutorials!
Once you get into woodworking, one of the fun things to do is experiment with different types of wood.
There’s a time and place to just use the cheapest possible wood, but there’s also a time and place to upgrade your lumber.
As we have gotten more experienced in woodworking, we have found ourselves more and more often reaching for nicer lumber species.
Today I wanted to dive in to one of our favorite wood species to work with: oak.
I wanted to share the benefits of oak wood, tips for working with oak, and share a lot of ideas for oak woodworking project tutorials.
The Beauty and Benefits of Oak Wood
Oak is a gorgeous golden toned hardwood that is generally very durable and easy to work with. But, there are both pros and cons to building with oak lumber!
Some of the benefits of oak wood include:
- Oak is a very durable hardwood. There is a reason so many homes use oak for flooring – it can really handle wear and tear!
- This wood type has a gorgeous golden color. While there are a few varieties of oak, they all have beautiful, rich tones.
- In addition to the beautiful color, oak also has very pretty grain patterns.
- Even though oak is a hardwood, it is generally easy to work with and is strong enough to be cut or carved with precision.
- Oak is strong enough that it is unlikely to bend, twist, or warp.
- You will find that oak is readily available and one of the most common hardwoods, even at basic big box hardware stores.
Some of the cons of oak wood:
- Oak tends to be on the pricier side, and is one of the more expensive woods to purchase, other than exotic hardwoods.
- Similarly, oak might not be available in all of the board widths and sizes that some lesser expensive wood types come in.
- You will also find that oak is very dense and can be super heavy, especially compared to soft woods! This can make working with it a bit more difficult. We recommend a panel carrier for lifting oak plywood!
- Oak doesn’t take stain the best. The surface is not super absorbent, so it just takes a bit more work if you really want to change it’s color. Luckily, raw oak is gorgeous with just a clear topcoat.
- Oak wood tends to split or splinter if it’s not able to dry out properly.
- Also note that oak is very stiff and is not the best choice if you are looking for a board that is flexible or will bend.
Is oak good for making furniture?
Oak is an excellent choice for making furniture and has been woodworker’s choice of lumber for hundreds of years. It is durable, has a beautiful color and grain, and is relatively easy to work with!
Is oak wood very expensive?
Oak is one of the more expensive types of wood that you will find at your basic hardware store. It is going to be more expensive than pine, white wood, or poplar. Oak is usually less expensive compared to more exotic or rare hardwoods.
Tips for Working with Oak
- Always have proper ventilation and protective gear due to the potential for sawdust irritation.
- Choose the type of oak that best suits your project. There are various types of oak, including red oak and white oak. Each type has unique characteristics. Red oak is porous and tends to absorb finishes well, while white oak is denser and more water-resistant.
- Use sharp blades for clean cuts and to reduce tear-out.
- Pre-drill pilot holes for screws to prevent splitting, especially near the edges of the oak boards.
- Oak has tannins that can react with certain finishes, causing discoloration. Use a stain-blocking primer or wood conditioner to prevent this issue, especially when using light-colored finishes.
- Stick to a clear coat finish to enhance the wood’s natural beauty while providing protection.
Oak Woodworking Project Ideas
Here are a ton of woodworking projects made using oak!
Oak Woodworking Projects
Oak is one of the nicest woods to work with that is readily available at hardware stores around the country. It's a beautiful and versatile hardwood that makes great projects. Here's some projects You can make from oak!
This serving tray is made from the small pre-cut planks you'll find at a major hardware store and it is a great display!
Oak plywood makes a large piece of furniture like this buffet table really stand out!
The front of this side table pops off, making it a great media console to hide your cable and internet boxes! The oak looks beautiful with the caning!
Oak dowels, oak plywood and oak edge banding make this simple shelf look modern and cool, all while being useful!
This isn't a project, but here's how some of the most popular wood stains look on oak so you can give your project a beautiful finish!
This console table balances out the heavy feel of the oak with glass front doors.
Love these cute little wooden sunflowers, a great use of the warm tones of oak!
This carved wood chandelier is gorgeous and the oak really shines!
Love the pickled look of this oak nightstand!
Upgrade a full length mirror with this tutorial!
Oak is a nice strong wood, making a great durable choice for a desk.
Oak is strong enough to support heavy bottles of wine!
The durability of oak combined with it's beauty make it a functional showpiece!
This gorgeous nightstand is a great example of giving oak a modern feel.
Oak is also great for a super traditional piece with clean lines.
The natural tone of oak pairs really nicely with other natural elements like this caning.
Adding a dark stain to oak gives it a totally different modern feel.
The heavy grain on the oak boards keeps this sideboard - with super modern lines - from feeling too sleek. It strikes a great balance!
Beautiful oak wood takes this simple table from boring to showpiece!
I love the use of oak dowels in this tea storage rack!
Oak is durable and strong, making it a great choice for a cabinet!
The little bun feet on this oak dresser just get me!
What’s your favorite oak woodworking project?
Before you go…
Once you decide what to make with oak, you need to pick a wood finish! Check out all of our favorite wood stains to use on pine!
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Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!