Andy Dingley wrote in
:

http://codesmiths.com/shed/workshop/bench.htm

Andy, I noticed you built the top from oak. While typically maple is
recommended in the States, I have a (extremely current, extremely
reasonable) source of kiln-dried oak. I am also becoming well aware of the
limitations (sturdiness, mostly) of my first bench, built of construction
timber three years ago.

Would you do yours in oak again? Or Euro beech, or similar?

Patriarch