What I had in mind was a construction similar to one which has withstood 10
years of use and abuse by me and others.
Top from 38mm laminate faced kitchen worktop, this is 600mm wide and comes
in 3metre lengths; underframing from 4x2 timber, anchored to the wall and
floor. Approx height of top from floor 900mm to 950mm depending on the vice
chosen. A standard 4in or 100mm engineers vice is the the usual weapon of
choice.
For those not familiar with the reason behind the strange height, the
object is to put the top of the vice jaws at approximately the height of
the elbow joint, thus when hacksawing or filing, the forearm is roughly
parallel to the ground, as this gives best control.
What I would like is some input as what would be the most useful
configuration, a single long bench, two shorter benches, or my own
preference 3 benches, each 1m x 600mm and two equipped with 4inch engineers
vices, while the third carries the bench drill. Suitably spaced apart these
would provide a start for manufacturing more specialised benches for other
machinery. Traditional style woodworking benches need a completely a
completely different construction an a lower height, with woodworking vices
and bench stops and holdfasts. So start the ball rolling.

To support the top my preference would be plywood, with 2 or 3 shelves.
It makes a very strong support and stuff stored on the shelves helps
stability, and gets it out the way.

There was talk of a metal bench. This brings up the subject of welding
facilities which has not been discussed much yet. Most types of welding
require gas cylinders which have safety implications. Until we sort this
out we could cover a wooden worktop with a steel sheet.

Robert.

Time to re-visit this one I think.
Proposal is :-
One 3m length of kitchen worktop, 600mm wide by 38mm thick, from B&Q who
can be persuaded to cut as 1m + 2m I'm sure. This needs to be a pickup from
store, as they sometimes have scratched ore otherwise marked lengths at
reduced price.
Assorted lengths of 4"x2" timber, from anywhere, probably planed, unless
anyone wants to do a lot of sanding.

Assembled as :-
One 1m bench, 4x2 underframing attached to middle of one long wall in main
hall, fitted with 4" engineers vice at one end for metalwork and
woodworking vice at the other end. (Consider also fitting a small bench
drill in the middle.) Wall mounted rack to carry hacksaw, junior hacksaw,
spare blades for same, and a tenon saw.
One 2m bench in secure workshop, position to be decided.

This would mean that most small jobs could be accomplished without needing
access to the secure workshop area.
Cost for benches about £100, plus cost of vices, tools etc.
Roger.