Red Oak wasn’t my favorite turning wood but it also wasn’t my least favorite to date. If you have some odds and ends of Red Oak from another project, as I did, then give it a try, but I wouldn’t specifically seek out Red Oak to buy as a turning wood as, again, there are just better options for that specific purpose.
And in terms of the distinctive odor, to me it smelled strongly of vinegar, which I didn’t find terribly unpleasant but I also wouldn’t say that I found it pleasing or would be signing up to have to smell it on a regular basis.
As always, I wish all my readers a great experience in whatever their wood working interests happen to be and to those who like working with lathes especially, do a good turn today!