I have 3 worktables in my rather large garage, each is 48" x 24". One is homemade, one is a Craftsman metal bench w/composition board top, and one is a modified built-in entertainment center that was in my house. The entertainment center was cut down to a height of about 40" to match the Craftman bench. The entertainment center bench has cabinets and shelves used for storage. My belt sander, drill press, and grinding wheel are on top of the bench. The steel Craftsman bench, which is in the middle of the three, has a couple of drawers and a lower shelf. It's the "general use" bench." The homemade bench is constructed of 2 x 4's and 1/2" plywood. It's where my bench vise is attached. This bench is also where I attach my freq meter and spinefinder. Each bench is covered with 3/8" masonite.
I have also installed pegboard above the benches; I split 4 sheets and attached them to the walls above and past the benches. So, at one end of the workspace there's a portable table saw and a compound miter saw. At the other end is my loft and lie machine and a toolbox. Certainly my garage is considerably larger than many. I made all the benches the same height, width, and depth. I couldn't think of any reason to do it any differently. I figured I was building golf clubs, and that ain't precision work by any measure. I guess what I'm saying is that if a person is building a workspace, he should build it to suit his own needs without regard to what the "experts" think is the best way. I mean no criticizm here. Its just my take on the issue. TFlan
