Red wood

[louis pittman]

a friend gave me 4x4 red wood it is said to be 150 years old
what could be made from this & what finish
thanks Louis

[John K Jordan]

4x4 red wood

Assuming you mean Redwood as in California Redwood, Sequoia, etc., relatively light weight, soft.
Or do you mean you have a piece of some wood that is red?

What you make may depend on how long a piece you have. You forgot to mention the length.
Is is free from cracks and splits? Is it figured or burl?

If it is California Redwood: softer woods can tear, very old wood sometimes gets brittle and throw off a lot of dust. Regardless, it may turn fine with sharp tools. Finish can be almost anything, lacquer, shellac, poly. I'd probably use sander sealer first. I don't think I'd use oil but you can try various finishes on some sanded scraps and see what you like.

JKJ